SHANKAR LAL Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The grievance of the petitioners in these 17 petitions is that their emoluments have been retrospectively altered to their disadvantage without the grant of any opportunity. The petitioners allege that the action is violative of the principles of natural justice. They pray that the impugned circulars orders be set aside, and that the respondents be restrained from recovering any amount from their salaries.

(2.) Learned counsel for the parties have referred to the facts in Civil Writ Petition No. 109 of 1998. These may be briefly noticed.

(3.) The petitioners are Ex-servicemen. They had joined posts with the Punjab National Bank during the period from July 31, 1985 to June 15, 1990. The petitioners pray that their pay in the Bank had to be fixed in conformity with the norms laid down by the Central Government in respect of the re-employed Ex-servicemen. The Bank had fixed their pay accordingly. However, without the grant of any opportunity, a circular was issued on December 12, 1994, in pursuance to which the method of fixation of pay was revised and the emoluments were reduced. The petitioners have alleged that various categories of persons, like peons, Watchman-cum-peons, Armed Guards etc., had suffered financial loss ranging from Rs. 34/- to Rs. 113/-. The petitioners maintain that the action of the respondent is violative of the principles of natural justice. They pray that the impugned circular and the order, reducing their pay, be quashed.