Facts
The applicants in five original applications (O.A. No. 61/244/2024, 61/245/2024, 61/246/2024, 61/247/2024, and 61/248/2024) sought the release of their pending salaries/wages for work performed under the CAMPA Scheme between 2012 and December 2014.
Source reference: p.11-12These applicants worked in various Forest Divisions, including Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Ramban, Udhampur, and Ramnagar.
Source reference: p.11-12The Chief Conservator of Forest, Jammu, had previously communicated for the allotment of funds amounting to Rs. 1,80,00,000/- for applicant wages on February 27, 2012.
Source reference: p.12Further communication from the Chief Conservator of Forest to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, J&K Srinagar, dated October 16, 2014, also requested fund allotment for pending CAMPA Scheme wages.
Source reference: p.12Issues
Whether the respondents should be directed to release the pending salaries/wages of the petitioners for their work under the CAMPA Scheme from 2012 till December 2014.
Source reference: p.11-12Law Applied
The court's decision was based on the administrative responsibility of the respondents to disburse due and admissible wages to employees for services rendered.
Source reference: no citationThe existence of internal communications requesting fund allotment for these specific wages indicated an acknowledgment of the pending dues by the authorities.
Source reference: p.12Reasoning
The court considered the applicants' claims for unpaid salaries/wages for work completed under the CAMPA Scheme during 2012-2014.
Source reference: p.11-12It noted that the Chief Conservator of Forest, Jammu, had acknowledged these outstanding wages by sending communications for fund allotment, specifically mentioning Rs. 1,80,00,000/- for applicant wages on February 27, 2012, and again on October 16, 2014, to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, J&K Srinagar.
Source reference: p.12These communications demonstrate that the responsible authorities were aware of the pending wages and had initiated steps for their release.
Source reference: p.12Based on these facts, the court found it appropriate to direct the respondents to address the applicants' claims.
Source reference: no citationHolding
The Original Applications were disposed of with a direction to the respondents, specifically the concerned Range Officers of various Divisions (Banihal-Gool, Ramban, Samba, Udhampur, Kathua, Jammu), to look into the cases of the petitioners for the release of their due and admissible pending wages within eight weeks from the date of receiving the certified copy of the order.
Original Court PDF
Rinku Kumar & Ors. v. U.T. of J&K & Ors. [O.A. No. 61/244, 245, 246, 247 & 248/2024]
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