Shimla, June 18: Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to consider revising the pay scale of firemen, aligning it with the 2012 notification that granted revised pay to police constables and other Class-III posts.
Justice Sandeep Sharma, in his order, observed that firemen perform comparable duties to constables, possess the same 10+2 qualification, and undergo additional specialised training, yet have been denied revised pay benefits.
The court was hearing a petition by Jogi Ram Bhardwaj, a fireman under the Department of Civil Defence and Home, who argued that despite recommendations by the fire services director in September 2022, the state had not acted.
Rejecting the state’s claim that pay decisions fall under executive prerogative, the court stated that economic conditions affect all employees equally, and firemen deserve equal financial relief.
The high court has now directed the principal secretary (home) to act on the 2022 recommendation and consider granting firemen the ₹10,300–₹34,800 pay band with ₹3,200 grade pay after two years of regular service, within three weeks.
The verdict is expected to set a precedent for pay equity across departments in the state government.
