Punjab irrigation department asked to follow revised wages: Supreme Court informed

The Supreme Court was informed on Monday that directions have been issued to all heads of irrigation department of the government of Punjab to follow the revised wages notified by the finance department in letter and in spirit as directed by the apex court.
The Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took notice on an application of Abdul Rauf and others stating therein that they are working in Irrigation department, government of Punjab since 12 years on work charge basis and drawing very low salary, ie 3600/3800 rupees per month and further their services have not yet been regularised. They had requested the Chief Justice for justice.
Taking the notice of the issue, the report was sought from Secretary Irrigation, government of Punjab within fortnight. In compliance with the above direction, the Secretary Irrigation submitted his report regarding increase in wages of work charge employees, directions have been issued to all the Chief Engineers/heads to follow the revised wages notified by the Finance Department vide letter dated 14.03.2001 in letter and spirit.
The Secretary Irrigation Department, informed the court that the applicants are serving as pump operator on work charge basis, their request was placed before the finance department. Committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary formulated its proposal on matter and same were approved by the Chief Minister Punjab as the employees working on regularised work charge establishment and appointed prior to 2004 may continue as such. These employees are not governed by any service rule. No further recruitment may be made against the regularised work charge posts until their Service Rules are framed.
After going through the report, Secretary Irrigation, government of Punjab was again directed to get it re-examined in the light of the case of Lady Health Workers wherein it was decided that salary shall not be less then Rs 7000 per month and further the office was directed to send the above mentioned judgement to the Secretary Irrigation with direction to ensure the re-dressal of grievances of applicants in light of the said judgement and submit compliance report within 15 days.