HARSHAD D. SANTOKI Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By way of this petition, the petitioner has approached this court for a declaration that the action of the respondents in not giving the benefit of the Academic Grade Pay (AGP) of Rs.8000.00 with effect from 12/7/2010 and consequential AGP of Rs.9000.00 with effect from 12/7/2013 which has been extended to other Assistant Professors be quashed and set aside.

(2.) Facts in brief would indicate that the petitioner was appointed as Lecturer in Industrial Engineering Department of L.E. College, Morbi vide notification dtd. 9/7/1999. His period of probation was over on 12/7/2001 and thereafter he was appointed on a long term basis by order dtd. 11/2/2002. By a communication dtd. 17/9/2007, on completion of six years of service on the same post, the petitioner was extended the benefit of Senior Scale of Rs.10000.0015200. He was redesignated as Assistant Professor in accordance with the norms of AICTE with effect from 28/3/2011. On 7/8/2018, applications were invited from eligible professors for movement from AGP Rs.7000.00 to Rs.8000..00 The petitioner on 8/8/2018 made an application requesting that he is entitled to the upward movement of AGP from Rs.7000.00 to 8000 in PB-III with effect from 12/7/2010. Thereafter he also moved an application on the same date for the benefit of upward movement of AGP from Rs.8000.00 to 9000 with effect from 12/7/2013. By a communication dtd. 12/9/2018, a list of beneficiaries of AGP of Rs.8000.00 was published. The petitioner's name figured at Sr. No. 43. The benefit of AGP of Rs.8000.00 was granted with effect from 1/4/2015 rather than on completion of five years from 12/7/2005. The remark against the column mentioned that since he had adverse remarks for the year 2009-10, he was denied benefit from the year 2010.

(3.) Mr. Rustom Marshall, learned Senior Counsel appearing with Mr. Arpit Kapadia, learned advocate for the petitioner would submit that the denial of AGP of Rs.8000.00 from 12/7/2010 and consequential movement upwards to AGP of Rs.9000.00 with effect from 12/7/2013 based on the adverse remarks is bad. Pointing out the adverse remarks which have been annexed to the affidavit-in-reply, Mr. Marshall would submit that if the adverse remarks are perused, three things appear to have weighed with the respondents in denying the benefit of AGP of Rs.8000.00 and Rs.9000.00 respectively. Against the column 'Initiative, Resourcefulness and Willingness to assume responsibilities' the petitioner has been shown to be weak. Against the column 'Capacity to take quick and sound decisions' the remark is that he lacks in taking quick decisions and needs improvement. With regard to the details of disciplinary action, the remark indicates that the petitioner was on unauthorized leave for a day. Assailing these assessments, Mr. Marshall would in support of his submissions rely on a communication addressed by the petitioner after attending the election duties on 29/4/2019 wherein there is a categorical remark of the Principal that the petitioner was absent on 2/5/2019, on telephonic information he had informed the authorities on 1/5/2009 that he was unwell. This, according to Mr. Marshall, learned Senior Counsel would totally unjustify the disciplinary action that is made a remark in the assessment reports for denial of AGP.