RAGHAVAN Vs. EXECUTIVE OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioners 3 in number, were appointed in the contingent staff of the 2nd respondent panchayat. They have approached this court claiming the benefits of Ext. P1 order from 1-7-1978 because the 2nd respondent Panchayat by Ext. P3 resolution decided to give benefit of Ext. P1 only with effect from 1-4-1981.

(2.) It is common case that the petitioners were contingent employees engaged by the 2nd respondent Panchayat. Third petitioner left the service of the 2nd respondent on 24-12-1980. Petitioners 1 and 2 are still in the service of the 2nd respondent.

(3.) By Ext. P1 order dated 15-7-1980, the Government revised the scales of pay of contingent employees in the Panchayats in the State. As per that order Ferry Men who were on an existing pay of Rs. 115/- were entitled to get revised pay of Rs. 215/- per month with effect from 1-7-1978 Petitioners were not paid salary at the enhanced rate. The Panchayat by Ext. P3 resolution dated 12-11-1980, decided to give the enhanced salary to the employees with effect from 1-4-1981. No reason is mentioned in that resolution for fixing 1-4-1981 as the date from which the benefits are to be given. Nor had the Panchayat stated in Ext. P3 that the employees will not be paid the enhanced salary from 1-7-1978 to 1-4-1981.