(1.) Heard Sri M. Srikanth, learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Government Pleader for Services-II. This writ petition has been filed for the following reliefs:
(2.) The petitioners, 17 in number, were appointed in Panchyat Raj Department in various posts i.e Sweeper, Tank Watcher, Fitter, relating to the Sanitation and Public Health from 1992 to 2018 on contract base. Their case is that they are discharging the same duties at par the regular employees but are being paid only fixed remuneration enhanced from time to time and pursuant to the G.O.Ms.No.57, Panchayat Raj Rural Development Department dtd. 13/2/2019 they are being paid Rs.10,000.00 per month. The petitioners claim payment of minimum of pay scale attached to the posts in which they respectively are working with increments.
(3.) Sri M. Srikanth, learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are so entitled on the principle of equal pay for equal work which has been duly recognized by Hon'ble the Apex Court in State of Punjab vs. Jagjit Singh,2017(1) SCC 148. with respect to temporary employees as well, including contractual employees.