MRINMAY KUMAR DAS Vs. GAUHATI HIGH COURT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. F. Faridi, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners. I have also heard Mr. H. K. Das, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent Nos.1, 4 & 5; Mr. J. Handique, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent Nos.2 as well as Mr. R. Borpujari, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent No.3.

(2.) The short question which arises for consideration in the instant writ petition is as to whether the petitioners herein who are working as Library Assistants would be entitled to the equal Grade Pay to that of the Judicial Assistants?

(3.) The petitioner No.1 was appointed to the post of Library Assistant on 19/7/2013 and the petitioner No.2 was appointed to the said post of Library Assistant on 14/3/2014. At the time of appointment, the scale of pay for both the petitioners were Rs.5200.0020,200 (PB-II) with Grade Pay of Rs.3000.00 per month. It is further relevant to take note of that at that relevant point of time, the Judicial Assistants of the Registry of the Gauhati High Court were also drawing the same scale of pay with Grade Pay of Rs.3000.00. However, with the implementation of the Assam Services (Revision of Pay) Rules, 2017 (ROP, 2017), the petitioners' Grade Pay was reduced to Rs.7,400.00 whereas the Grade Pay of the Judicial Assistant was raised to Rs.8,700.00.