Ensure timely payment of salaries to frontline workers: SC

The Supreme Court of India on Friday directed the Center to ensure the salaries of doctors and frontline healthcare workers, who are timelessly working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the Center in response to the direction, placed the onus on state governments, the apex court ordered it to take steps under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan asked Center to ensure that by August 10, the doctors and healthcare workers are paid their salaries.

The court’s direction came after the Center informed the court that four states – Punjab, Maharashtra, Tripura and Karnataka – have not paid timely payments to the frontline workers.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Center told the bench that it had issued directions to the state.

“You are not helpless. You have to see to it that your order is implemented. You have power under the DM Act. You can take steps also,” Justice M R Shah said, expressing discontentment with the Centre’s stand.

During the hearing, counsel appearing for doctors, healthcare workers complained to the apex court that quarantine period after duty is being cut as leave. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that quarantine cannot be taken as leave. The bench asked Mehta to clarify the issue.

The Court was hearing a plea filed by Dr Arushi Jain who was seeking timely payment of salaries to the frontline COVID-19 healthcare workers and doctors.

On June 17, Supreme Court had asked the Center to issue orders in 24-hours to all states and Union Territories for payment of salaries to doctors and healthcare workers and also ensure suitable quarantine facilities for those who are directly engaged in treatment in covid-19 patients.

Earlier the top court had observed, “In war, you do not make soldiers unhappy travel an extra mile and channel some extra money to address their grievances.”