Overview
- A division bench led by Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul with Justice Partha Sarathi Sen said there is no impediment to prospective implementation and directed the scheme to start forthwith.
- The Union government must file an affidavit within four weeks on how pending wages will be disbursed, with petitioners given two weeks to reply before the next hearing.
- Wages have not been paid since December 2021, and state counsel told the court arrears total about Rs 4,500 crore with some payments already made by the state.
- The Centre halted funds in March 2022 under Section 27 citing irregularities, and its counsel alleged misappropriation as inquiries and audits continue.
- An earlier High Court order permitting a conditional relaunch was upheld by the Supreme Court on October 27, and the Centre may impose safeguards while resuming implementation.