Mangalore: Here is the story of two ladies who are paid a meager salary of Rs 15 per month despite working in government owned educational institutions. This case has been highlighted by the Human Rights Protection Foundation, Udupi President Dr Ravindranath Shanbagh.

Incidentally, Shanbagh had some time earlier brought to light the case of Akku and Leela who worked as sweepers in a government institution in Udupi for just Rs 15 per month. After the two had approached the Supreme Court, judgment had come in their favour.

Following this even the case of two other ladies namely Elizabeth and Padma has come to the fore and they too are hoping justice.

If Elizabeth worked in  Government Teachers’ Training School at Balmatta, Mangalore, for 43 years (from 1964), Padma worked for Fisheries Junior College in 1970 and served for 42 years. Both ladies were paid a meager salary of Rs. 15 per month, Shanbhag said.

Shanbagh said the two women were not getting any salary from heir institution which considers them retired. At the same time, he said the two are working in their respective institutions as no other appointment has been made in their place. He said the two have already approached the higher authorities seeking full pay along with interest.

Shanbagh said in the earlier case of Akku and Leela, though they won the case in the Supreme Court, the then CM had declined to pay the amount saying in that case the government may have to pay for more such workers.

Shanbagh said there were approximately 300 people in DK who are thus working for meager wages.