RUPINDER SINGH SIDHU Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In all these writ petitions, common questions of law based on almost identical facts arise for determination and, therefore, they are being disposed of by a common order.

(2.) For the purpose of appreciation of the controversy involved in these petitions, I deem fit it proper to make reference to the facts from C.W.P. No. 3444 of 1984 and C.W.P. No. 648 of 1990.

(3.) Most of the 34 petitioners in C.W.P. No. 3444 of 1984 possess the qualifications of M.A. and B.Sc. Lib. Science or Diploma in Lib. Science. A few of them possess the qualifications of B.A./B.Sc. and Bachelor of Lib. Science. All of them were working as Senior Librarians in different colleges and libraries in the State of Punjab at the time of the filing of the petition. All of them belong to the College Cadre of Librarians and their posts are inter-transferable. The petitioners joined service in the year 1973 and thereafter. At the time of their recruitment, minimum qualifications required for the post of Librarian were B.A./B.Sc./B.Com. with a Degree or Diploma in Library Science. The pay-scale of the post of Librarians in the college libraries as well as in the public libraries was revised with effect from 1.11.1966 as is evident from the sanction conveyed by the Secretary to Government, Punjab, Education Department, to the Director of Public Instruction, vide letter dated 3.3.1976, Annexure P.2. In pursuance of this sanction, all the petitioners started getting pay in the scale of Rs. 300-600. This pay scale was subsequently revised to Rs. 700-1200 with effect from 1.1.1978 on the recommendations of the Punjab Pay Commission. In the meantime, the Government of Punjab revised the qualifications for recruitment to the posts of Librarians and as per the revised qualifications enumerated in Annexure P.4 dated 16.12.1976 only that person was eligible to be appointed as Librarian who possessed the qualifications of M.A./M.Sc./M.Com. with Degree or Diploma in Library Science or M.Lib.