This refers to the report "Delhi HC rules out pay parity between regular & contractual workers" (May 26). We cannot expect a humane approach from courts whose core function is ensuring the rule of law, and thus blame a bench of judges for interpreting law and observing hence: "There cannot be complete parity between contractual employees and those who undergo selection process and are appointed as regular employees. On the principle of 'same work same pay', if there is complete identity of work between contractual employees and regular employees, a court can direct same basic salary and allowances to be paid. But with reference to one set of persons not having undertaken the selection process and the second set having undertaken the selection process, the court could deny the benefit of increments." However, those responsible for policy formulation should take note of the disparity in prices, wages and incomes, which are relevant for a class that is rich and powerful and, therefore, has hold over decisions and options. And an entirely different set of parameters for arriving at the prices, wages and incomes applicable to another class that comprises the majority and has no control over its destiny. The delay in correcting this is already resulting in eruptive symptoms. In her Pulitzer Prize-winning book Behind the Beautiful Forevers (Penguin Books), Katherine Boo makes this observation: "In places where government priorities and market imperatives create a world so capricious that to help a neighbour is to risk your ability to feed your family, and sometimes even your own liberty, the idea of the mutually supportive poor community is demolished. The poor blame one another for the choices of governments and markets, and we who have means are ready to blame the poor just as harshly." Hairsplitting arguments or lament over "legal position" cannot be a substitute for a humane approach to poverty, hunger and deprivation.
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M G Warrier, Thiruvananthapuram
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201 · E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number