Bengaluru: Karnataka high court has granted an interim stay on the operation of circulars issued by govt departments directing the withholding or deferment of revised minimum wages notified by the state on May 22, 2026.Under the notification, minimum wages for 83 scheduled employments were revised based on skill levels, ranging from Rs 19,300 to Rs 31,100.Justice HT Narendra Prasad passed the order while hearing petitions filed by the All India Trade Union Congress, Karnataka Rajya Sarkari Khayametharara Noukarara Okkuta, All India Central Council of Trade Unions and others.According to the petitioners, the state govt had issued the May 22 notification under Sections 5(1)(a) and 5(1)(b) of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. The revised wages were implemented and one month’s salary was paid to employees and workmen in accordance with the notification.Thereafter, Karnataka state audit and accounts department issued a circular on July 29, 2026, while the directorate of municipal administration issued another on Aug 10, directing deferment of revised wages. The panchayat raj department also issued a similar circular.The petitioners contended that the departments had no jurisdiction to defer implementation of a notification that continued to remain in force. They said salaries had not subsequently been paid in accordance with the May 22 notification and sought the high court’s intervention to protect the rights of workmen.Considering the submissions, Justice Narendra Prasad stayed the operation of the impugned circulars until the next date of hearing. The court also ordered notice to the state government and the concerned departments.
