Paying ₹450 Per Month Is ‘Forced Labour’ & Violation Of Article 23: Allahabad HC Directs UP Govt To Pay Minimum Wages To A IV Class Employee

[11 October 2021]
The Allahabad High Court pulled up the Uttar Pradesh Government for paying Rs. 450 per month as wages to a Class-IV post since his initial engagement in 2001, which is less than the minimum wages as prescribed in the State. The Bench of Justice Pankaj Bhatia observed that it was beyond comprehension as to how the state government could exploit a Class-IV employee by continuing to pay him Rs 450 per month for the last 20 years. In this regard, importantly, the Court remarked thus: “In view of the law laid down by the Supreme Court as recorded above, the prescription of Rs. 450/- per month as wages vide Government Order dated 01.07.1992 is clearly a “other form of forced labour” and is in violation of Article 23 of the Constitution of India.”