High Court Directs Madhya Pradesh to Discuss Region-Based Minimum Wages

The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has instructed the state government to convene a meeting with stakeholders to discuss classifying minimum wages based on different zones and industries. This decision comes in response to a plea by industrial organizations seeking fair wage classification reflecting regional living costs.

The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to organize a stakeholder meeting to discuss classifying minimum wages across different zones.

During a Thursday hearing, a labor department official informed Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Duppala Venkata Ramana that the government is prepared to set minimum wages by industry.

The court was deliberating on an April plea by industrial groups seeking wage classification based on industry and regional factors.

The official stated that the state is ready to fix industry-specific minimum wages, while region-specific classifications are open for stakeholder discussions.

The court mandated a meeting be convened with all stakeholders to discuss regional classification. Proper notices about the meeting's date, time, and venue are to be issued, with a deadline of two months to complete this task.

State Labour Minister Prahlad Patel informed reporters in Indore that while the government is ready to classify wages by industry, the zone-based classification remains under consideration.

Girish Patwardhan, a lawyer representing the petitioners, asserted that minimum wages should reflect the cost of living in various state regions.

(With inputs from agencies.)