In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India on Friday stayed a ruling of the Tripura High Court that had directed the state government to grant regular pay scale benefits to employees from their first day of service.
The interim relief comes after the Tripura government challenged the High Court’s verdict through a special leave petition.
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High Court Had Struck Down Fixed Pay System
Earlier, a division bench of the Tripura High Court headed by Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao had struck down the state’s fixed pay system. The bench held that denying regular pay scales to employees from the date of their initial appointment violated Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before law and equal opportunity in public employment.
The High Court ruled that employees were entitled to regular pay on a notional basis from the date they joined service. However, it restricted the payment of arrears to three years prior to the filing of the writ petitions.
The bench also directed that the arrears carry an annual interest of 9 per cent. It ordered the state government to clear the dues within three months from the date of the judgment.
The division bench judgment overturned an earlier single bench order that had dismissed a similar plea challenging the fixed pay structure.
State Moves Apex Court
Following the High Court ruling, the Tripura government approached the Supreme Court, represented by the Attorney General of India. The state sought a stay on the order, arguing that its implementation would have significant financial implications.
After hearing initial submissions, the apex court issued notices to the respondents and sought their replies. It granted a stay on the High Court’s direction until further orders.
Tripura Law Secretary Sankari Das is currently in New Delhi to monitor proceedings in the matter.
Next Hearing on March 9
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for March 9, 2026. The case is expected to have wide-ranging implications for government employees in Tripura who were appointed under the fixed pay system.
The High Court’s earlier verdict had triggered strong reactions across the state. Several employee unions and associations welcomed the judgment and urged the government to implement it rather than challenge it.
They argued that the fixed pay system created disparities among employees performing similar duties and that granting regular pay scales from the initial appointment would ensure fairness and equality in public service.
Legal and Financial Implications
The case now rests with the Supreme Court, which will examine the constitutional validity of the fixed pay structure and the financial burden on the state exchequer.
If the High Court ruling ultimately stands, the decision could impact thousands of employees and lead to substantial payouts by the state government. Conversely, if the Supreme Court sets aside the judgment, the fixed pay system may continue in its existing form.
For now, the stay order has paused the implementation of the High Court’s directives, pending further judicial scrutiny.
The outcome of the March 9 hearing will determine the future course of pay scale benefits for government employees in Tripura and clarify the legal position on fixed pay appointments in the state.
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