STATE OF TRIPURA Vs. DIPIKA SAHA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ appeal is directed against the judgment and order dated 25.02.2000 passed by the Learned Single Judge in Civil Rule No. 109 of 1997 granting the benefit of UGC pay scale to the respondent-teachers from 01.04.1979 or from the respective dates of their joining as lecturer of Basic Training Colleges of Tripura, whichever was earlier.

(2.) We have heard Mr. S. Chakraborty, the learned Government Advocate, appearing for the State-appellant and Mr. S. Talapatra, the learned senior counsel for the respondents-teachers.

(3.) Shorn of unnecessary details, the facts leading to the filing of the appeal are that on the recommendation of the Tripura Public Service Commission, the respondents numbering seven were appointed as Lecturers (Class II gazetted posts) in the Basic Training Colleges under the Education Department of the Government of Tripura on various dates between 29.06.1977 and 16.09.1995. It would appear that in the year 1973, a Committee of the University Grants Commission ('UGC' for short) on 'Governance of Universities and Colleges' had recommended higher pay scales to University and College teacher, which came to be accepted by the Central Government and that the Government of Tripura also accepted the UGC pay scales to teachers of all colleges affiliated to the University, but the teacher of Basic Training Colleges of Tripura were left out from these pay scales on the ground that Basic Training Colleges were not affiliated to any University. Thereupon, the twenty teachers of the Basic Training Colleges other than the respondents herein had approached this Court in Civil Rule No. 84 of 1979, Nos. 88 to 109 of 1979 and No. 2 of 1980 praying for directing the State of Tripura to grant them UGC pay scales. This Court by the common judgment and order dated 25.02.1987 allowed the Civil Rules with the following observations and directions: