INDRAJEET SINGH Vs. STATE OF RAJASTHAN,

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The application dated 8.12.18 made by the prisoner Indrajeet Singh lodged in Central Jail, Jodhpur, received by post, raising the issue of non revision of the wages payable to the prisoners employed on work in prison, was registered as Writ Petition (PIL) by this Court and notices were issued to the State of Rajasthan.

(2.) Precisely, the grievance raised in the petition is that the wages payable to the prisoners sentenced to Rigorous Imprisonment or such other classes of prisoners who volunteer to labour were last revised vide order dated 17.3.15. Thereafter, though the wages payable to the unskilled, skilled and highly skilled employees have been revised by the State Government from time to time vide notifications dated 17.12.15, 5.7.16 and 16.1.18 issued under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (for short "the Act of 1948"), the wages payable to the prisoners have not been revised and they are being paid wages at the rate specified vide notification dated 17.3.15.

(3.) A reply to the writ petition has been filed on behalf of the State taking the stand that the notification dated 17.12.15, 5.7.16 and 16.1.18 issued by the Department of Labour, Government of Rajasthan, revising the minimum wages payable to the employees is not applicable to the prisoners employed on various works in prison. It is submitted that the categories of employees to whom the said notification apply have been specifically mentioned in the notifications issued, which does not cover the prisoners employed on work in prison. It is submitted that the prisoners are entitled for the wages in accordance with the notification dated 17.3.15, which are being paid to them.