Karnataka court expresses dismay over staff nurse's meagre wages for 16 years

The Karnataka High Court expressed shock and dismay on Tuesday over the plight of a staff nurse who has drawn a monthly salary of merely ₹10,000 for the past 16 years, despite multiple court directives addressing her employment conditions. The court has now issued notices to concerned authorities, demanding explanations for the prolonged administrative inaction that has perpetuated the woman's financial hardship. The nurse's situation stems from a pending caste validity certificate, a document critical for formalizing her employment status and ensuring appropriate wage classification. The absence of this certificate has effectively prevented her from receiving the salary grade commensurate with her position and qualifications. The court's intervention marks an escalation in efforts to compel the authorities to expedite resolution of the matter. Officials have been directed to file responses detailing the reasons for delays in issuing the required documentation and to outline concrete timelines for rectification. The case underscores persistent administrative bottlenecks in state employment systems that continue to impact public sector workers despite judicial orders.