Directive to pay 100% dues to staff in lockdown ‘unrealistic’: SC

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday said the government directive to employers to pay 100% dues to workers during the lockdown period was “unrealistic” while the government defended it as a temporary step designed to prevent workers from migrating.

The government should balance the rights of both employees and employers in dealing with such issues, a top court bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan said even as it reserved its judgement on the matter, to be delivered on June 12.

The government, through Attorney General KK Venugopal, urged the court to refrain from examining the legality of the March 29 home ministry directive, which was in place only for 54 days before it was withdrawn.


The AG defended the notification on the ground that the government issued this while workers were fleeing cities for their home.