GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI Vs. KIRAN SHARMA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Government of NCT of Delhi has filed this writ petition challenging the order dated 28th January, 2014 passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) disposing of OA No. 2909/2012 filed by the Respondents and directing that they should be paid salary on par with Welfare Officers appointed on contract basis.

(2.) The background facts are that each of the 16 Respondents herein was appointed on various dates between 1st February, 2007 and 14th June, 2010 as Protection Officer (Women) under the Protection of Women against Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDV Act) on a contract basis and on a consolidated salary of Rs.10,000/- per month. It is stated that although the appointment was initially for a period of six months, successive extensions were granted. At the time of extension granted by an Office Order dated 3rd August, 2009 for a period of one year with effect from 1 st August, 2009 the salary was increased to Rs. 15,000/- per month.

(3.) The case of the Respondents was that they were working as Protection Officers (Women) under the PWDV Act on a contract basis against the vacant posts of "Welfare Officer" and that the Petitioner had unjustly denied them regularisation of services on the said post. Their further grievance was that they had been denied the benefit of salary in the regular pay scale as was being given to regularly appointed Welfare Officers.