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‘Equal pay for equal work’ : HC quashes 2016 withdrawal of pay hike for Haryana power sector accounts officers

Ruling stresses constitutional right to equal pay, directs DHBVNL board to reconsider revision afresh within six weeks

3 min readChandigarhJan 15, 2026 07:50 PM IST

The judgment disposes of five connected writ petitions filed by employees of DHBVNL, Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited and Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited.(Source: File)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday granted partial relief to finance, audit and accounts officers working in Haryana’s power utilities by quashing a 2016 decision that withdrew an earlier approval for revised pay scales. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar emphasised the principle of equal pay for equal work and directed the Board of Directors of Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited to take a fresh decision on the issue.

The judgment disposes of five connected writ petitions filed by employees of DHBVNL, Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited and Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited. These include petitions by Naresh Kumar and others, Jagjeet Singh Kushwaha and others, Sumit Goyal and others, D.N. Singh, and Rajinder Verma.

The dispute arose after the reorganisation of the Haryana State Electricity Board into separate successor entities. In 2009, a coordination committee recommended higher pay scales for accounts officers to bring them on par with engineering cadres. DHBVNL’s board approved the proposal on November 25, 2009, but it was not implemented after being referred to the Haryana Bureau of Public Enterprises. In 2016, the board withdrew the approval, citing financial constraints.

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Challenging the withdrawal, the petitioners argued that their counterparts in Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited were already drawing the revised scales pursuant to a similar approval, which had been upheld by courts up to the Supreme Court.

Justice Brar noted that employees in both utilities were recruited through a common process, possessed identical qualifications and performed the same duties. The court quoted a key passage highlighting the constitutional dimension: “The plea of separate legal identity, in the face of common recruitment, identical job profiles, and a statutory framework designed for parity, cannot be accepted to defeat the constitutional guarantee of equal pay for equal work.”

The court observed that the 2016 withdrawal relied primarily on financial considerations but failed to address the principle of parity. It also held that a 2020 amendment requiring bureau approval for pay revisions operates prospectively and could not be used to block the 2009 decision.

Quashing the 2016 withdrawal order, the court remitted the matter to DHBVNL’s Board of Directors for fresh consideration. Justice Brar disposed of the petitions with these directions: the 2016 withdrawal order is quashed, and the matter is sent back to DHBVNL’s Board of Directors. The board must reconsider the grievance, taking into account the parity issue and the fact that counterparts in UHBVNL are being paid higher scales for identical work. A reasoned decision must be communicated to the petitioners within six weeks of receiving the order.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More