Bench hails ECS for government staff

http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/23/stories/2007092359120300.htm

Staff Reporter

“Welcomes e-governance initiatives”

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Court says it does not warrant judicial interference
Advancement of technology in administration

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MADURAI: Introduction of the Electronic Clearance System (ECS) to disburse salaries and other emoluments to Government employees is a welcome move that does not warrant judicial interference, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ruled.
Justice K. Chandru held so while dismissing a writ petition filed by a Tuticorin-based Diocese to restrain the Government from implementing the system of payment of salaries to employees of government-aided schools managed by it.
“The speed with which school managements have approached this court and obtained interim stay, thereby thwarting all attempts made by the State to introduce a safe and scientific system, clearly shows the vested interest of the managements.
Unless they want a share in the cake, which is the salary payable to the teachers, no management will oppose payment through ECS,” he said.
Asserting that all sections of people must welcome the e-governance initiatives, Mr. Justice Chandru said: “March of science cannot be forestalled by obscurant objections raised by educational entrepreneurs.”
It was for the State to evolve a proper policy for disbursement of salary, and implementation of ECS was only an advancement of science and technology in Government administration.
On the petitioner’s contention that implementation of the system might lead to confusion in deducting the khadi loan, cooperative society loan, handloom loan and so on availed by the teachers, the Judge said such “imaginary averments” could not be accepted as the teachers, who were the beneficiaries of the new system, had not moved the court complaining of any difficulty.
Further, the authority of the correspondent/secretary was not taken away by the implementation of ECS as the pay bill was even now certified by them before being presented to the Treasury department.
“The management’s grievance is that no teacher will henceforth appear before them and salute at the time of receiving salary. Excepting for an emotional entitlement, no legal grievance is made out,” the Judge said.