In a major relief for teachers, the Uttarakhand government has revoked all orders for recovery of additional pay increments granted during selection and promotional pay scale approvals. The recovered amounts will now be refunded to the teachers.
Under the 7th Pay Commission provisions, teachers were granted an additional increment from 2016 during selection and promotional pay scales. However, on September 6, 2019, the government halted this benefit, and on September 13, 2019, ordered recovery of amounts already paid as additional increments. Following this, some teachers faced deductions, while others challenged the decision in the High Court.
After the court’s direction, the government has now annulled all recovery orders and instructed that the deducted sums be returned to the affected teachers. Secondary Education Director Dr. Mukul Kumar Sati has directed all Chief Education Officers and Additional Directors of both divisions to ensure compliance.
According to Ramesh Panyuli, Provincial General Secretary of the State Teachers’ Association, stopping the benefit in 2019 was unjust as around 1.5 lakh other employees continued to receive it. Former Provincial General Secretary Dr. Sohan Majila called the move a significant step in favour of teachers, correcting a past administrative error.
