Karnataka HC seeks explanation over 16-year delay in KIMS nurse's caste certificate
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has sought an explanation from the state government over a staff nurse at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Hubballi, receiving a consolidated Rs 10,000 a month for nearly 16 years because her caste validity certificate has not been issued.
The court has also asked the state government to explain why the salary loss suffered by the nurse should not be recovered from the officials responsible for the prolonged delay.
A division bench comprising Justice M. Nagaprasanna and Justice Hema Kulkarni has passed the order while hearing a writ appeal filed by the nurse over the authorities’ failure to resolve her caste certificate claim despite repeated judicial directions.
The nurse first approached the High Court in 2010, raising concerns over her salary. On August 8, 2011, the court directed the Deputy Commissioner to verify her claim and take steps to issue the certificate within four weeks.
However, the certificate remains pending nearly 15 years later. The delay continued despite a further direction by the High Court in 2025, asking the authorities to complete the verification process within two months.
The bench noted that another employee in a similar situation had obtained a caste validity certificate and was placed in the regular pay scale of Rs 36,000 to Rs 67,550. The nurse, despite performing the same duties, continues to receive a consolidated monthly salary of Rs 10,000, The Hindu reported.
Expressing concern over the prolonged delay, the Bench observed that administrative inaction cannot be used to deny an employee fair compensation for her work. It also emphasised that authorities cannot disregard the court’s directions through continued inaction.
The court has asked the state government to explain why the financial loss suffered by the nurse should not be assessed and recovered from the officials responsible for the delay.
