SC issues notice on petition to pay salary arrears to porters

New Delhi, Nov 19 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Centre and Haj Committee chairman on a petition filed by Haj Committee Mazdoor Welfare Society, seeking directions to the respondents to pay the arrears of the salary to porters (kulis).

A bench comprising Justices C K Thakker and Altamas Kabir issued notices after hearing counsel for the petitioner, who contended that the petition for payment of arrears of salary has been rejected by the Registry of Allahabad High Court on flimsy grounds that one paperbook has not been filed.

Allahabad High Court also dismissed the petition.

The petitioner has challenged validity of the resolution dated June 30, 1995 passed by the then Minister of State for External Affairs R L Bhatia saying that no individual or organisation would charge anything from Haj pilgrims for loading or unloading their goods or belongings.

This resolution was under challenge in the petition, which was rejected by the High Court Registry for not filing required number of paperbook without notice to the petitioner.

UNI