ABDUL RASHID Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. J. Sarma, learned counsel for the petitioner as well as Mr. B. Gogoi, learned counsel for the Finance Department. Also heard Mr. S. Biswas, learned standing counsel for the Forest Department and Mr. R.K. Talukdar for the respondent No. 3.

(2.) The petitioners, who are appointed as Game Watchers under the Forest Department, Government of Assam have sought equal Grade Pay with that of the Forest Guards, contending that as per Rule 7(5)(b) of the Assam Junior Forest Service Rules, 2005, (hereinafter referred to as the 2005 Rules), Forest Guard and Game Watcher are of the same cadre, rank and status, and whenever a member of this cadre is posted to the wildlife sector, he is designated as Game Watcher and vice-versa.

(3.) The grievance of the petitioners is that despite the Pay Anomaly Committee, which had been constituted in January 2010 by the Government of Assam, having recommended that the Grade Pay of the Game Watcher should be enhanced to the Grade Pay of the Forest Guard, the State Government has till date not given the Game Watcher equal Grade Pay with that of the Forest Guard.