The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) today asked the state government to consider increasing the travel allowance being paid to the court bailiffs in the state from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 per month.
The three-member Goa Human Rights Commission headed by Justice P K Misraand comprising retired District Judges A D Salkar and J A Keny, passed the order on a petition filed by social activist and lawyer Aires Rodrigues, seeking that the "paltry" monthly travel allowance being paid to court bailiffs be hiked.
The Commission has adjourned the matter till April 21 for the compliance report of the government.
Rodrigues, in his petition had sought "justice" for the 86 bailiffs working in variouscourtsacross Goa, "who are currently being paid a meagre Rs 200 a month though, they have to travel extensively to serve notices issued by all courts, including the highcourt."
Stating that in March 2012, the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had cited high inflation as the reason to hike Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni's monthly salary from Rs five lakh to Rs eight lakh, Rodrigues in his petition submitted that the government cannot adopt double standards on the financial plight faced by thepoor bailiffs.
"Non-payment of a just amount is a human right violation as thebailiffshave a right against being exploited by being deprived of due compensation," Rodrigues said while seeking the intervention of the GHRC to end this "injustice" being done to thebailiffs.
