The High Court (HC) yesterday directed the government to pay the upgraded salaries and benefits to all the stationmasters, assistant stationmasters and station superintendents of Bangladesh Railway since 1977.

The HC bench of Justice Md Miftah Uddin Choudhury and Justice Abu Bakar Siddiquee delivered the verdict upon a writ petition filed by the Stationmasters and Employees Union.

Petitioner's lawyer advocate Salahuddin Dolon yesterday told The Daily Star that about 1100 stationmasters, assistant stationmasters and station superintendents of Bangladesh Railway have been deprived of the upgraded pay scales since 1977.

The other government officials equivalent to his clients are getting the benefits of the upgraded pay scales, he said, adding that the writ petition was filed with the HC in 2005 challenging the discrimination against his client.