Hira Singh And Ors vs State Of Bihar And Ors

The petitioners, who are Panchayat teachers in Primary Schools of different Panchayats in the district of Madhubani, have approached this Court for a direction to the concerned respondents for payment of their current salary which has unnecessarily been withheld from April, 2019 till date.

No reason could be found by the petitioners for such non-payment of salary except irregular functioning of the Head-Masters of such schools in sending the attendance report for the salaries to be paid to them in time.

Several representations have been preferred by the petitioners before the District Education Officer, Madhubani, but they have not been adverted to and since no order has been been passed on such representations, the petitioners have come to the conclusion that their representations have been completely ignored.

This Court, on finding that there is no plausible reason for withholding the salaries of the petitioners, directs that in the event of the petitioners making a suitable representation before the District Programme Officer (Estab.), Madhubani within a period of three weeks, the concerned respondent shall look into the matter, verify the facts, identify the reasons for non-payment of the salaries and on being satisfied that the claim of the petitioners is tenable shall pass/cause to be passed necessary orders in that regard within a further period of four weeks thereafter.

If the salaries of the petitioners are withheld without any reason and no order is passed for resumption of the same within the aforesaid stipulated period, it would be open for the petitioners to approach this Court, when in that case this Court would consider the requirement of identifying the reason for such non-payment of salaries to the petitioners and fixing the responsibility on the concerned person.

With the aforesaid observation/direction, the writ petition stands disposed off.