K RADHAKRISHNAN; N BALASUBRAMANIAN; R GANESAN; V ELAYAPERUMAL; A L ABDUL RAZACK; S GANDHI; M VARADHARAJAN; M KULANDAIVELU; R RAJU; M SHANGMUGASUNDARAM Vs. SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT RURAL DEVELOPMENT & PANCHAYAT RAJ DEPARTMENT; COMMISSIONER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT & PANCHAYAT RAJ; DISTRICT COLLECTOR; DISTRICT COLLECTOR (PD SECTION) TIRUVARUR DISTRICT; DISTRICT COLLECTOR (PD SECTION) NAGAPATTINAM DISTRIC

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard both sides.

(2.) The petitioners are retired Government servants. They served in Rural Development Department after holding various posts such as Block Development Officer, Deputy Block Development Officer, Extension Officer and Assistant at the time of their attaining the age of superannuation.

(3.) It is not in dispute that the petitioners were originally appointed as Rural Welfare Officer Grade II, which is equivalent to Junior Assistant cadre. It is also not in dispute that all the petitioners were advanced to the post of Special Temporary Rural Welfare Officer Grade I in the cadre of Assistant with effect from 01.10.1978.