SURJIT SINGH & ORS Vs. UOI & ORS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners have challenged the order dated 22.03.2002, whereby the Central Administrative Tribunal [hereafter referred to as "the Tribunal"] has dismissed their application [OA No.1567/1999], and thus rejected their claim for higher pay-scales in terms of the reports of the 5th Pay Commission.

(2.) The petitioners were appointed as Forest Guards under the Government of the Union Territory of Delhi at various times between 1958 & 1968. They were subsequently promoted as Deputy Forest Rangers, during the period 1988 to 1998, but claim that they were denied the pay scale of Deputy Forest Rangers as recommended by the 4 th & 5 th Pay Commissions.

(3.) Although the 4th Pay Commission had recommended the pay scale of Rs.1200-1800 for Deputy Rangers in Union Territories, the petitioners were placed in the pay scale of Rs.950-1400. This was the recommended pay scale for Foresters, a post which had been abolished in the Union Territory of Delhi but existed in other Union Territories. Forest Guards were placed in the lower scale of Rs.775- 1025.