Supreme Court asks Centre to ensure doctors get salaries on time

Delhi Maharashtra Punjab Karnataka and Tripura are yet to follow directives on timely payment of salaries to healthcare workers engaged in COVID19 duties the Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court which said it cannot be helpless in implementing the directionsThe top court also asked the Centre to clarify that compulsory quarantine period of healthcare workers is not to be treated as leave and salaries are not deducted for the period A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan R Subhash Reddy and M R Shah told the Centre to issue directions for releasing the salaries on timeIf the states are not complying with the directions and orders of the Central government you are not helpless You have to ensure that your order is implemented You have got the power under the Disaster Management Act You can take steps also the bench told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the CentreMehta said that after the top courts directions on June 17 necessary orders were issued on June 18 to all the states with regard to timely payment of salaries to healthcare workersHe submitted that five states Delhi Maharashtra Punjab Tripura and Karnataka have not paid the salaries to the full satisfaction of doctors and healthcare workers engaged in fighting the coronavirus pandemicMehta said that appropriate steps in this regard shall be taken by the central government to ensure that salaries of doctors and health workers are releasedHe sought a weeks time to apprise the court about the steps taken in this regard which was granted by the top courtSenior Advocate KV Vishwanathan appearing for doctorpetitioner Arushi Jain said the high risk and low risk classification made by the Centre has no basis and the government advisory of June 18 after the top courts order has no rationale basis He said there is still nonpayment of salaries to healthcare workers Jain a private doctor has questioned the Centres May 15 decision that 14day quarantine was not mandatory for doctorsThe top court also took note of an application filed by United Resident Doctors Association URDA through advocates Mithu Jain Mohit Paul and Arnav Vidyarthi that salaries of doctors are being deducted for the period of compulsory quarantine treating it as leave periodOne of the difficulties which has been pointed out by counsel for the petitioners is that those doctors and health workers who are quarantined their period of quarantine is treated as on leave the bench said in its orderTo this Mehta conceded that the said period cant be treated as leave and said that he would take necessary instructions on the issue He said the Central government will take steps to ensure that the salaries of doctors and healthcare workers are paid on timeTushar Mehta learned Solicitor General fairly submits that the said period cannot be treated as leave and he will obtain necessary nstructionsclarifications in that regard List the matters on August 10 the bench saidOn June 17 the top court had directed the Centre to issue orders in 24hours to all states and Union Territories for payment of salaries to doctors and healthcare workers as also for providing suitable quarantine facilities for those who are directly engaged in treatment of COVID19 patientsIt had said The Central Government shall issue appropriate direction to the Chief Secretary of the States Union Territories to ensure that the orders are faithfully complied with violation of which may be treated as an offence under the Disaster Management Act read with the Indian Penal CodeJain had also alleged in her plea that frontline healthcare workers engaged in the fight against COVID19 are not being paid salaries or their wages are being cut or delayedThe Centre had earlier told the top court that the May 15 circular on Standard Operating Procedure SOP will also be modified doing away the clause for nonmandatory quarantine for healthcare workers engaged in COVID19 duty and they will not be denied the quarantineOn June 12 the top court had observed In war you do not make soldiers unhappy Travel an extra mile and channel some extra money to address their grievancesIt had said that the courts should not be involved in the issue of nonpayment of salary to healthcare workers and the government should settle the issueKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever