The Tripura High Court has struck down the state government’s policy of placing newly appointed government employees on a fixed salary for the first five years.
The court ruled that all government staff, including TET teachers, are entitled to their full regular salary from the first day of employment.
Advocate Purushottam Roy Barman, speaking on the verdict, stated that the Division Bench of Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Biswajit Palit disposed of two longstanding writ petitions filed in 2001 and 2007 challenging the policy.
“The earlier government decision to restrict salaries for five years was challenged as it denied employees their constitutional rights. The High Court has now confirmed that this practice is unconstitutional,” Barman said.
The court emphasized that both graduate and postgraduate teachers, as well as all other government employees, must receive pay according to the regular scale from their first day on the job. Those who filed the writ petitions—18 individuals—are required to pay Rs 2,000 each as court costs. The court also warned that employees could pursue further legal action if the government fails to comply with the order.
Barman described the ruling as “historic,” stating that it ensures fair treatment and safeguards constitutional rights for government employees throughout Tripura.
