Karnataka HC shocked as staff nurse gets ₹10,000 salary for 16 years despite court orders
A Karnataka High Court case highlights a staff nurse underpaid for 16 years due to delayed caste certificate issuance.
Reported by The Hindu — Karnataka · context written by Hushread
In brief
- A staff nurse at KIMS, Hubballi, was paid only ₹10,000 monthly for nearly 16 years.
- Authorities failed to issue her a caste validity certificate despite repeated court orders since 2011.
- The High Court criticized officials for administrative delays and demanded explanations from the state government.
- Another employee with a similar background received a regular pay scale after obtaining the required certificate.
- The court is considering holding officials responsible for the nurse's salary loss due to prolonged inaction.
What happened
A staff nurse named Anasuya P. Koti at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences in Hubballi has been paid a fixed salary of ₹10,000 per month for almost 16 years. This occurred because authorities did not issue her a caste validity certificate, despite multiple court orders instructing them to do so. The Karnataka High Court has now demanded that the state government explain why the officials responsible for the delay should not be held accountable for her lost salary.
Why it matters
This situation affects not only the nurse involved but also highlights systemic issues that can impact other government employees in similar circumstances. Delays in issuing necessary documents can lead to long-term financial hardship and undermine trust in public administration. The High Court's intervention signals the importance of timely administrative processes to protect employees' rights and livelihoods.
How we got here
Anasuya P. Koti first approached the High Court in 2010 about not receiving her full salary due to the missing caste certificate. The court ordered the Deputy Commissioner to verify her caste and issue the certificate in 2011, but this was not done. Even after a renewed court directive in 2025, the certificate still was not issued. Meanwhile, another employee in a similar role who received the certificate was placed on a much higher pay scale.
What happens next
The High Court has asked the state government to explain the delay and may hold specific officials responsible for the salary loss. The outcome will depend on the government's response and any further court orders. Observers will be watching to see if this leads to compensation for the nurse and changes in administrative processes.