HYDERABAD: A division bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) Hyderabad circuit has declared the withdrawal of increments and benefits granted to Primary School Teachers (PSTs) as an “unlawful exercise of authority.” The court ruled that any attempt by the education department to deduct salaries or revoke already granted increments is arbitrary and violates teachers’ legitimate emoluments.
SHC Declares Withdrawal of Increments Unlawful
The landmark decision came on petitions filed by primary school teachers from Badin. Their counsel argued that deductions from their salaries and benefits after years of service constituted a violation of fair play and established legal principles. SindhNews.com reported that the petitioners’ services were regularised by the Sindh Assembly through a 2012 ordinance.
Protecting Teachers’ Legitimate Benefits
The court emphasized that teachers who had lawfully earned increments and benefits during their contractual service were entitled to the protection of their pay upon regularization. Assistant Advocate General Sindh Rafiq Dahri presented the government’s stance, contending that petitioners were not legally entitled to such benefits. However, the bench maintained its position.
The SHC’s order states that such deductions are unlawful and undermine the very objective of regularization. The increments and benefits earned during the contractual period must be protected.
This verdict aims to safeguard the financial security and legitimate entitlements of teachers who have rendered services under contract before regularization. The impact is a clear directive against arbitrary administrative actions affecting educators’ pay.