The state government on Wednesday filed a petition with the Gujarat high court seeking clarity with regards to the latter’s recent order directing it to modify the existing scheme of fixed wages.

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“We have filed a petition seeking more clarity from Gujarat HC on Wednesday in connection with the fixed wages issue,” said a senior government official, requesting anonymity.

The official said the high court has used the term ‘Minimum of pay scale’ and also the term ‘Total pay’ in the order. “This has led to confusion, which we want the high court to clear,” he said.

According to officials, revision of wages of employees drawing fixed wages as per ‘Minimum of pay scale’ will lead to an additional burden of Rs350 crore per annum on the government, while the estimated burden will be Rs1,400 crore per annum as per ‘Total pay’.

The HC, had on January 20, ruled that the scheme of fixed wages for government jobs was a violation of fundamental rights and principle of equal pay for equal work. The HC had directed the government to modify the current scheme and to grant the employees the lowest pay in the pay-scale recommended for their rank.

The judgment came as great news for fixed wage earners, who number more than 1.50 lakh, as they will be entitled to draw significantly more money than what they are currently getting.