JOHN Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE prayers in the petition are for: (a) a declaration "that Ext. A Order No. E. S. 43201/21 dated 20. 11. 1946 is a valid order still in force and binding upon the first respondent". (b) "a writ of mandamus or other appropriate writ or order directing the first respondent to act according to law and to pay dearness allowance 'in full' (meaning dearness allowance at the same rate as is being paid for the time being to teachers employed in Government primary schools) to the petitioner, in compliance with the provisions of the existing orders Ext. A No. E. S. 43201/21 dated 20. 11. 1946 and Ext. B No. 1815/51/1 in. dated 12th July 1951", and (c) such other orders or directions as may be deemed fit and proper by the High Court. 2. Ext. A was issued by the Government of Cochin. It reads as follows: "the following resolution was carried in the last meenom sitting of the Legislative Council, "this Council recommends to the government that aided School Teachers may be paid dearness allowance in full by government".

(2.) ON considering the question in all aspects, Government are pleased to order that teachers of aided Primary Schools in the State will be paid dearness allowance in full by Government with effect from 1. 1. 1122".

(3.) ACCORDING to the petitioner Ext. A should also be considered as a piece of "existing law" saved by the Constitution and as it is agreed that it is still in force, compliance with its terms should be directed by this court under Art. 226 of the Constitution. Paragraphs 18, 19, and 20 of the petition which deal with this contention read as follows: "as long as Ext. A order dated 20. 11. 1946 is in force (and it has not been rescinded as yet) the first respondent is in law bound to respect it and pay dearness allowance to the petitioner at the same rate as is being paid to teachers in Government schools, that is at present at the rates specified in the order Ext. B dated 12. 7. 1951. Ext. A order is not a mere ministerial order carrying into effect the intent of a superior authority. It is a rule laying down a principle and in every sense a legislative order in that it really embodies a legislative intent and has therefore the sanctity of an existing law. All the three organs of the State have power to create rights and liabilities which at the instance of an aggrieved party can be enforced by the Municipal Courts. And any action on the part of the State in derogation of such rights validly conferred on a person is an action against law coming within the orbit of the remedial powers of the judicial arm and particularly within the jurisdiction created by Art. 226 of the Constitution of india".