SATYADEV SHARMA Vs. VICE CHANCELLOR, KURUKSHETRA UNIVERSITY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellants, clerks in the Kurukshetra University, approached this Court with a prayer that they be placed in the scales of Rs. 420-700 with effect from April 1, 1979 and Rs. 1200-2040 w.e.f. January 1, 1986. The claim having been rejected by the learned Single Judge, they have filed the present Letters Patent Appeal.

(2.) Mr. Patwalia urges that the Clerks in the University were initially in the scale of Rs. 120-300. As against this, the clerks in the Haryana Government service were in the scale of Rs. 110-250. The pay scales of clerks were revised along with those of other categories of employees w.e.f. April 1, 1979. The clerks in the University as well as in the Government service were placed in the scale of Rs. 400-560. This scale was further revised w.e.f. January 1, 1986, and both categories of employees were placed in a uniform scale of Rs. 950-1500. The counsel submits that since the appellants were initially in a higher scale than the clerks in the State Government, they had a right to be placed in a higher scale. In particular, the counsel points out that the Clerks in the Haryana Agricultural University who were in the pay scale of Rs. 120-300 had been granted the pay scale of Rs. 420-700. That being so, even the appellants deserved to be treated in a similar manner.

(3.) On behalf of the respondents, it has been pointed out that the Government had taken a conscious decision to place all the clerks in a uniform pay scale. Thus, the persons working in the Kurukshetra University and those working in the State Government were placed in the uniform scales of Rs. 400-660 and Rs. 950-1500. With regard to the employees working in the Haryana Agriculture University, it has been pointed out that the relief was confined to those who were in service prior to the notification dated June 6, 1980. The other employees were placed in the scale of Rs. 400-660 only.