Salary Arrears
By
Karmayogi
Employment, especially in Government, is a
great psychological cushion of security. Minor and major frictions may
develop inside the department but rarely do they lead to drastic actions
such as suspension or dismissal. Whether it is just or otherwise, woe
unto the man who is such a victim. Once that happens, the ordeals,
ostracism, indignities, privations and their impact on one's personality
can be appreciated by those who have undergone or witnessed them at
close quarters. A talented individual about to be promoted as the head
of the institution was one such victim. He had to fight the battle for
four years and could win only at the High Court.
It is difficult
to run the family even when salary comes every month. How to survive for
four years without salary? After legal success and reinstatement, he had
to go to court again to collect salary arrears. We often hear “These
things should not occur in one's life. If they do, even God cannot help
us.” A gazetted officer lost his job in 1965 and was reinstated after
three months. Again he lost his job at the end of a year. Again he was
reinstated after three months. For years he could not get the
arrears.
Once a friend got hold of an MLA and sent this man to
the Minister with him. It did not work. He consulted friends whether he
could invoke the Spirit. He was told that a prior condition is his
mind must withdraw its reliance on rules, influence, short cuts,
etc. He readily agreed, but his mind was not under his control. He
was waiting to invoke the Spirit for the mind to cooperate. For a few
days, he was in a dilemma. One week passed. On his entering his compound
one day, the peon told him he was wanted in the office. “Office” for him
was ousting. He shook from head to foot.
The peon guessed it and
said, “Sir, it is good news.” He would not tell him what. It relieved
the officer somewhat, but not fully. On reaching the office he learned
that half his arrears had arrived under a new dispensation that any
contentious issue could be finally settled later, but monies due may be
paid in part at
once.