In a notable decision with potentially far-reaching implications for uniformed personnel in Himachal Pradesh, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to review and consider revising the pay scale of firemen, in line with a 2012 notification that had earlier upgraded pay for several categories, including police constables.
Justice Sandeep Sharma, in a single-bench order, stated that "Since firemen discharge responsibilities comparable to those of constables, there appears to be no reason to deny them similar benefits of pay revision." The Court further emphasised that firemen not only meet the same educational qualifications as constables (10+2), but also undergo specialised training, so there is no justification for denying them equivalent pay benefits.
The directive came in response to a petition filed by Jogi Ram Bhardwaj, a fireman with the Department of Civil Defence and Home, who argued that a government notification issued on September 27, 2012, revised pay scales for various Class-III posts, including constables, clerks, drivers, and junior technicians, but unfairly excluded firemen.
The Court noted that the pay revision notification had been extended to categories like Junior Technicians, Clerks, Drivers, and later to constables and inspectors via a subsequent notification on September 28, 2012. However, despite a formal recommendation made in September 2022 by the Additional Director General-cum-Director of Fire Services, seeking parity for firemen, no action had been taken by the government.
Rejecting the state government's stance that pay fixation falls solely under the executive's prerogative, the Court ruled that economic factors like inflation and rising costs of living must be uniformly considered for all comparable roles. "Firemen, who are also affected by cost-of-living hikes, must be extended adequate financial aid to sustain themselves," Justice Sharma observed.
The Court has now directed the Principal Secretary (Home) to act on the 2022 recommendation and consider including firemen in the revised pay band of ₹10,300–34,800 with a grade pay of ₹3,200, applicable after two years of regular service as outlined in the 2012 notification. The process is to be completed within three weeks.
The judgment is likely to set a precedent for pay equity among similarly placed government employees across various departments in Himachal Pradesh.
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