MURTI DEVI Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Briefly stated, after passing the Matriculation examination in June, 1967, the petitioner acquired the qualification of Prabhakar from the Punjabi University, Patiala in December, 1969. She was appointed as a J.B.T. Teacher on March 30, 1977 on ad hoc basis and continued working as such, by periodic extensions of six months till March 26, 1980. Thereafter, she was appointed on regular basis through a Departmental Selection Committee.

(2.) The State of Punjab had issued a policy decision on July 20, 1957, which, inter alia, provided for giving higher pay scale to an incumbent on acquisition of higher qualification. This policy decision has been considered by Hon'ble the Supreme Court in the case of State of Punjab and another v. Kirpal Singh Bhatia, 1975 2 SLR 621, and it was held, that the incumbent of the post is entitled to higher pay scale on acquisition of higher qualification, even though he may not be working against the post requiring higher qualifications.

(3.) In another case, Rajinder Kumari v. State of Punjab,1988 4 SLR 297, it was held by a Division Bench of this Court that the benefit of the policy decision was available even to an employee who might be initially appointed on ad hoc basis, but continued in service till regularisation.