Govt files review petition against SC’s order to adjust employee salaries

Kathmandu / Aug 27: The government has filed a review petition against the Supreme Court (SC)’s order to increase the salaries of civil service officials up to the level of under-secretary.

The government has sought a review of the order, concluding that implementing it would put pressure on the treasury and lead other employees to demand salary increases as well, which the government is currently unable to do.

On behalf of the government, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has filed a petition with the Supreme Court to review the order.

The bench of Supreme Court Justices Manoj Kumar Sharma and Sunil Kumar Pokhrel had ordered that the salaries of section officers, under-secretaries, and joint-secretaries be adjusted in accordance with the national standard, effective from July 16.

Some civil service employees had approached the Supreme Court, arguing that the salaries of the military and police, who are ranked below them in the hierarchy, were higher. On June 24, the Supreme Court had ordered the adjustment of salaries.

Implementing the Supreme Court’s order will result in an additional monthly expenditure of approximately 30 million rupees for the government. The court had directed salary increases of Rs 1,414 for section officers, Rs 3,542 for under-secretaries, and Rs 4,163 for joint-secretaries.

Out of around 83,000 employees in the civil service, there are about 600 joint-secretaries, 3,500 under-secretaries, and 10,300 section officers.

Not only that, but there will also be pressure to increase the salaries of teachers, university staff, and employees in other organizations at the level of officers, joint-secretaries, and under-secretaries. Due to this potential pressure on the treasury, the government has concluded that it is currently unable to manage the situation and has requested the court for a review.

Following the Supreme Court’s order, employees at the levels of non-gazetted first class officials and non-gazetted second class officials have also demanded salary increases. After discussions in the Cabinet meeting on this issue, the government has filed a petition for a review.