VIDYA SAGAR Vs. STATE OF H.P.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) PETITIONERS , in this case, were appointed as Agriculture Inspectors from various dates, in the years 1988 and 1989, as indicated in the table, drawn as part of para 2 of the writ petition. The posts of Agriculture Inspectors were re -designated as Assistant Development Officers (Agriculture) vide Notification dated 10.5.1980, Annexure P -1, issued by the Government of H.P., Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Inspectors, appointed in the pay scale of Rs.700 -1200, Class III Non Gazetted, re -designated as Assistant Development Officers (Agriculture) vide Notification dated 20.4.1980 Ext P -1, were to enjoy Gazetted status, on completion of five years continuous service. Petitioners completed five years continuous service in the years 1993 and 1994 and, thus, according to them, they became Gazetted Officers, within the meaning of Annexure P -1.

(2.) GOVERNMENT formulated a Scheme for Proficiency Step Up, in the year 1986 and on 18.7.1992, a clarificatory letter (copy Annexure P -2) was issued, which said that the benefit of Proficiency Step Up shall be available from due date, only to those Gazetted Officers who passed departmental examination, within eight years of their appointment/promotion to the Service concerned.

(3.) PETITIONERS are aggrieved by this Annexure P -9. So, they have approached this Court by means of the present writ petition for quashing the said order and restoring the order Annexure P -4, by which they were given the benefit of Proficiency Step Up, from the date of their completing eight years service, with the benefit of arrears.