The Karnataka High Court has stayed a circular that kept existing minimum wages in force for employees of urban development authorities and the Directorate of Town and Country Planning, pending further hearing in a petition filed by a trade union representing the directorate’s employees.
Justice H.T. Narendra Prasad passed the interim order on Friday after hearing a writ petition filed by the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU). The petition challenged the circular issued by the urban development authorities and the Directorate of Town and Country Planning on October 9, 2026.
The circular concerned the continuation of the old minimum wage structure instead of implementing the revised minimum wages. The court’s order places that direction on hold until the next hearing.
AICCTU’s petition was argued by advocate Clifton D. Rosario. The petitioner’s case relates to employees of the Directorate of Town and Country Planning, while the challenged circular was issued by both the urban development authorities and the directorate.
The court also ordered notices to the state government’s Chief Secretary, the Principal Secretary of the Labour Department and the director of the Directorate of Town and Country Planning. These authorities have been named as respondents in the proceedings.
The order affects the wage position within institutions involved in urban development administration and town planning. The supplied report does not specify the number of employees covered, the revised wage rates, or the date on which the new rates were originally scheduled to take effect.
The matter has been adjourned, and the stay will remain relevant until the court takes it up again. Further proceedings will determine the legal position on the October 9 circular and the continuation of the revised minimum wages.
