TGHRC Orders Action Over Delayed Salary of Retired GWMC Engineer

The Telangana Human Rights Commission, headed by chairperson Dr. Justice Shameem Akther, has passed an order recommending action over the prolonged delay in the payment of salary to a retired Executive Engineer who served in the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation.

The complainant served as an Executive Engineer in the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation from October 23, 2015, to February 24, 2017. His grievance stated that his salary for this period was not paid regularly and was eventually disbursed as a lump sum of Rs. 14,24,488 in October 2018, only after his Last Pay Certificate was received from his previous station of posting.

He further stated that the administration failed to provide his Form-16, bill-wise particulars, and details relating to Tax Deducted at Source remittances on time. This administrative lapse resulted in the retired engineer receiving show cause notices from the Income Tax Department regarding the non-filing of Income Tax Returns.

After examining the reports submitted by the concerned authorities, the Commission observed that there had been a delay of more than one year in the disbursement of the complainant's salary. The Commission held that whenever an employee is transferred, administrative authorities are obligated to ensure the prompt transmission of the Service Register, Last Pay Certificate, and other connected service records to ensure continuity of service benefits and timely salary release.

The Commission observed that salary constitutes legitimate remuneration earned for services rendered rather than a mere administrative benefit. Prolonged withholding of earnings severely impacts an employee's financial security, livelihood, and dignity.

The Commission identified laches on the part of the Heads of Departments, specifically the Engineer-in-Chief, Public Health Engineering and Municipal Administration Department in Hyderabad, and the Commissioner of the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation in Warangal, for failing to ensure the timely transmission of the complainant's records.

Exercising powers under Section 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the Commission recommended that the Principal Secretary to Government, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, located at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat in Hyderabad, examine the grievance and take necessary action regarding the delayed salary and issuance of the Form-16 certificate for the period from October 2015 to February 2017. Following the recommendation, the Commission closed further proceedings in the case.