Ronald Amos Kharsati v. State of Meghalaya and 4 Others

Serial No. 14 Regular List HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA AT SHILLONG

WP(C) No. 175 of 2023

Date of Decision: 25.04.2024

Shri. Ronald Amos Kharsati, R/o Upper Nongrim Hills, Shillong, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya - 793003

:::Petitioner

-Vs-

1.The State of Meghalaya through the Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Shillong

2.The Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Law Department, Shillong

3.The Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Personnel & AR (A) Department, Shillong

4.The Deputy Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Law Department, Shillong

:::Respondents

5.The Registrar General, High Court of Meghalaya, Shillong

:::Proforma Respondent

Coram:

Hon'ble Mr. Justice H. S. Thangkhiew, Judge Appearance:

For the Petitioner/Appellant(s) : Mr. Philemon Nongbri, Adv.

For the Respondent(s) : Mrs. T. Yangi. B, AAG with

Ms. I. Lyngwa, GA.

i) Whether approved for reporting in

Law journals etc.:

ii) Whether approved for publication in press:

Oral:

¶1An affidavit on behalf of the State respondents in compliance of the order dated 10.04.2024, has been filed today. In the said affidavit an Office Memorandum dated 03.04.2024, issued by the Secretary, Law Department, has been annexed wherein, in partial modification to a memorandum dated

21.08.2018, the pay scale for the post of Court Officer has been upgraded to Level – 16.

¶2Mr. Philemon Nongbri, learned counsel for the petitioner however has submitted that though it is well within the power of the State respondents to modify the earlier memorandum, and to upgrade the pay, the State respondents have however, not yet taken steps to comply with the suggestions, which has been forwarded by the Registrar General, High Court of Meghalaya, with regard to the proposed pay scale of Court

employees in different posts. He further submits that this proposal has been made as per The High Court of Meghalaya (Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Officers and Staff) Rules, 2019, wherein at Rule – 15, with regard to pay and allowances, the same was made determinable by the Chief Justice from time to time, with approval by the Governor. He therefore prays that at this stage, the writ petition may be closed with a direction that the State respondents take steps, with regard to the proposal made by the Registrar General in his communication dated 04.04.2022.

¶3Mrs. T. Yangi. B, learned AAG assisted by Ms. I. Lyngwa, learned GA for the State respondents has no submissions to make at this stage, but only that the writ petition may be closed allowing the State respondents to examine the matter and to take steps for consideration for approval of the said proposal.

¶4Accordingly, in view of the submissions of the learned counsel for the parties, it is directed that the State respondents shall take steps, with regard to the proposal made by the Registrar General of the High Court of Meghalaya, which is in line with the Rule 15 of the High Court Rules for necessary approval.

¶5Writ petition accordingly stands closed and disposed of. Judge Meghalaya

25.04.2024 "D.Thabah-PS"