Hyderabad: The Telangana Human Rights Commission recommended action against officials over a prolonged salary delay and the late issuance of Form-16 and other tax records to a retired Executive Engineer.
The Commission, headed by Dr Justice Shameem Akther, passed the order on July 28. The complainant had served as an Executive Engineer in the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation between October 2015 and February 2017.
However, he received his pending salary of Rs 14.24 lakh only in October 2018. The payment came after a delay of more than one year. The subsequent delay in providing Form-16 and other salary records created further problems for the retired engineer.
TGHRC salary delay led to tax-related difficulties
According to the Commission, officials also delayed bill-wise salary particulars and Tax Deducted at Source details. Consequently, the Income Tax Department issued show-cause notices over the non-filing of returns.
The TGHRC salary delay proceedings also examined the administrative responsibility for transferring an employee’s service-related records. The Commission observed that authorities must promptly transmit the Service Register and Last Pay Certificate when an employee gets transferred.
It also stressed the timely transfer of other relevant records. According to the Commission, prolonged withholding of an employee’s salary affected financial security, livelihood and dignity.
The Commission found lapses involving the Engineer-in-Chief of Public Health Engineering and the Municipal Administration Department. It also found lapses on the part of the Commissioner of the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation.
TGHRC salary delay case sent to MAUD for action
The Commission recommended that the Principal Secretary of the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department examine the grievance. It asked the Principal Secretary to take necessary action regarding the delayed payment of salary.
Moreover, the recommendation covered the failure to issue Form-16 within the required time. The Commission’s observations also covered the delayed provision of salary particulars and TDS-related records.
The retired engineer’s pending salary amounted to Rs 14.24 lakh and was eventually paid in October 2018. However, the delay in supporting tax documentation subsequently resulted in Income Tax Department notices concerning the filing of returns.
After recording its findings and making the recommendation to the MAUD Principal Secretary, the Commission closed the proceedings.