Telangana HC directs NACO to address wage disparities faced by HIV counsellors

Hyderabad: Justice Pulla Karthik of the Telangana High Court has recently issued directions to the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) to address wage disparities faced by HIV counsellors, particularly those with postgraduate qualifications.

The judge issued the directions in the petition filed by the AP State HIV Counsellors and Lab Technicians Union, which sought a writ of Mandamus to rectify wage imbalances for HIV counsellors in the state. In his plea, S. Venu, the state president of the union, underscored the necessity for remuneration parity with regular central government employees engaged in similar duties.

Justice Pulla Karthik refrained from delving into the merits of the case but directed key authorities, including the director general of NACO, to consider the representation filed by the petitioner-union. The court mandated a resolution of the outlined grievances within eight weeks from the date of receiving the directive.

The petition brought attention to the incongruity in wages for counsellors holding postgraduate qualifications in psychology, social work, and sociology. Despite their advanced educational backgrounds, these professionals reportedly do not receive commensurate remuneration from NACO.

The petitioner also mentioned that there was inaction to their request for a thorough review of the remuneration structure, emphasising that adequate compensation is not only a matter of fairness but also a strategic investment in the success of HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives. A more competitive compensation package is deemed essential to motivate existing counsellors and attract new talent to this crucial field.