Govt told to pay docs,SC rebukes it for no work no pay policy

New Delhi, July 17 (UNI) The Supreme Court today directed the Central Government to pay salary to doctors, on strike against reservation, till May 30, 2006 and not till June 3.

A bench comprising Mr Justice Arijit Pasayat and Mr Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta also censured the government for applying the principle of 'no work, no pay' in this case despite assurance given to the court on May 31, 2006 that no punitive action shall be taken against the doctors who had gone on strike against the impuned order of HRD Minister Arjun Singh providing 27.5 per cent reservation to OBC for admissions to higher educational instititutions.

The court, however, rejected the plea of senior counsel L M Singhvi for grant of salary till June 3, saying, ''We are not accustomed to our wishes not being complied with.'' This order will not act as precedent for future in view of the peculiar fact and circumstances of this case.

The court was also assured by the Additional Solicitor General that all criminal cases registered against the doctors, if brought to the notice of the government, will be immediately withdrawn.

UNI AKS/SC PR VP1202