The Supreme Court of India recently stayed the operation of a judgment passed by the Himachal Pradesh High Court wherein it was directed that Mid-Day Meal workers should be treated at par with other government servants working in government schools, and consequently, be paid for the entire year, including school vacations.
Bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra issued notice and stayed the impugned judgment.
A Special Leave Petition (SLP) was preferred by the State of Himachal Pradesh against the judgment dated May 14, 2024, passed by the High Court in the Civil Writ Petition filed by the H.P. Mid-Day Meal Workers Union (Respondents). The respondents sought parity with other government employees in terms of salary, demanding that Mid-Day Meal workers are entitled to receive compensation for 12 months instead of the existing 10-month period, in line with the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NPNSPE) (commonly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme). The High Court had ruled in favor of the respondents, directing that Mid-Day Meal workers should be treated at par with other government servants working in government schools, and consequently, be paid for the entire year, including school vacations.
Advocate General of Himachal Pradesh, Anup Kumar Rattan assisted by Adv. Rupinder Singh Thakur Additional Advocate General, Adv. Arman Roop Sharma, Adv. Yeshasvi Shrivastava (Associate), represented the petitioners before the bench.
Special Leave to Appeal (C) No.20355/2024
