Andhra Pradesh HC Issues Notice On Contempt Plea Challenging Authorities' Inaction In Revising Remuneration For Employees Of National AIDS Control Org

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has issued notice to the Union Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Special Secretary, and Director General National AIDS Control Organisation, in contempt proceedings initiated by the AP State Control Employees Union.

“"Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel for the 4th respondent. Even though notices were served upon respondent Nos.1 to 3, they neither appeared in person nor through their counsel. Hence, the Registry is directed to issue Form-1 notice to respondents Nos.1 to 3.” Justice Venkateswarlu Nimmagadda ordered.

The Contempt proceedings were initiated by the President and General Secretary of the AP AIDS Control Society contending that the respondents have failed to comply with the orders of the Court passed in 2022, thereby directing the Project Director to consider the revision of remuneration of certain contractual employees on power with the other employees working in the NACP-IV project of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) by the circular issued by the Deputy Secretary, Government of India.

The petitioners contended that the inaction of the Special Secretary Director General and Project Director at NACO in taking positive steps to enhance the remuneration of employees on par with the other employees working on the same project since the year 2019 was an illegal & arbitrary violation of principles of natural justice and also Articles 16, 21 and 300-A of the Constitution of India.

The Court after hearing both sides had directed the Director General and Project Director to enhance the remuneration on par with the other employees within 2 months.

When the respondents failed to comply with the orders of the Court, the president along with the General Secretary to the AP AIDS Society Union initiated contempt proceedings in October 2023.

The project director through his counsel appeared before the Court upon receiving notice from the Court, however, the other three respondents neither appeared in person nor through their counsel compelling the Court to issue Form-1 notice to the official respondents.

The matter is posted for appearance on 31-01-24.  

Form-I is a form of summons issued to the accused under the Criminal Procedure Code.

CC 5836 of 2023

Counsel for petitioner: Jada Sravan Kumar, Advocate

Counsel for respondent no 4: Vadapalli Ramesh, Advocate.