New Delhi: The Supreme Court on May 9 directed Bihar government to deposit Rs 50 crore in two months before the Patna High Court for payment of salaries to employees of public sector undertakings (PSUs) and government corporations, who are not being paid for a long time.

A Bench, comprising chief justice of India V N Khare and justice S B Sinha said by this interim direction, Bihar government would deposit Rs 25 crore within one month and the other Rs 25 crore in the next month.

The Bench directed the High Court to dispose of all cases pertaining to liquidation of government companies and order sale and disposal of the property.

The proceeds from sale and disposal of such property would be utilised towards settling salary dues of the employees thereof.

The apex court said the High Court would constitute a three-member committee of retired and sitting judges to scrutinise the liability of the government companies and submit a report to the High Court in three months time.

Directing the Bihar government to bear all expenses of the committee, the Bench said the High Court would issue necessary direction to the committee from time to time.

It also directed the Union government to take urgent steps towards division of assets between Bihar and Jharkhand under the State Reorganisation Act and impleaded Jharkhand as a party in the case.

PTI