JAGAN NATH SINGLA Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These petitions have been preferred by Agriculture Masters working in Education Department of the State of Punjab. Seeking pay parity with Agriculture Inspectors (re-designated as Agriculture Development Officers) working in various other departments of the Punjab Government, they have sought pay scales of Rs.2,200-4,000 w.e.f. 1.1.1991. Release of arrears with 18% interest w.e.f. 1.1.1991 till the date of payment has also been sought. Quashing of order dated 12.7.1995 (Annexure P-8) vide which such benefits have been denied to them, has also been sought by issuance of a writ of certiorari against the respondents.

(2.) Since the matter in issue in all these petitions is the same, these petitions have been taken up together for adjudication. However, for clarity and convenience, facts have been taken from CWP No.14171 of 1995.

(3.) All the petitioners are B.Sc. (Agriculture). In yester-years, persons with qualifications of B.Sc. (Agriculture) used to seek employment either as Agriculture Inspectors in the Agriculture Department or as Agriculture Master in the Education Department. These two departments were much haunted by graduates in Agriculture Science. At that time, pay scale of both these departments were identical i.e. Rs.130-300. Later on, in the year 1968, Agriculture Inspectors were put in the pay scale of Rs.220- 500 (with initial scale of Rs.250-500). Agriculture Inspectors were also given pay scale of Rs.250-450.