‘Systemic negligence in Tribal Welfare department’, HRC directs immediate disbursement of wages to hostel workers 

The State Human Rights Commission on Saturday held that administrative delay and failure to pay wages to post-metric hostel workers and daily wagers in the Tribal Welfare department amounts to systemic negligence and breach of public trust.

Disposing of the case filed by workers’ union leader B. Madhu, Chairperson Justice Shameem Akther recommended immediate disbursement of pending wages and initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the erring officials in the department. The Chief Secretary was directed to report compliance within two months.

The SHRC noted that salaries denied to hostel workers and daily wage employees in the Tribal Welfare department for 39 months and 10 months respectively, constitutes a gross violation of human rights and an affront to the right to livelihood under Article 21 of the Constitution.