JANARDAN SINGH Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These cases have been filed on behalf of some of the technical supervisors and workshop superintendents working under the Rajendra Agricultural University (hereinafter referred to as the University) for a common relief. Therefore, they have been heard together and are being disposed of by a common order. Basic question that has been raised for consideration is whether technical supervisors and workshop superintendents working under the University are University teachers within the ambit and scope of Section 2(xxviii) of the Bihar Agricultural University Act, 1987 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Act') and instructions framed and issued thereunder by the University? If so; whether they are entitled to the University Grants Commission's new revised scales of pay to all the University teachers of Agricultural University and other consequential benefits. Another prayer has also been made challenging the validity of the Faculty Development Programme of the University vide minutes of the proceedings dated 24.12.1993. (Annexure 10 of C.W.J.C. 4247 of 1996) rejecting the claim of the petitioners to allow them to participate in the Faculty Development Programme which is being provided to the teachers of the University instead of providing them facility of Professional Development Programme which is being exclusively made for non -teaching members of the University.

(2.) Admittedly, as would appear from the University Statutes, there are four faculties in the University. -(a) Agriculture, (b) Veterinary Science, (c) Basic Science and Humanities and (d) Home Science. Apart from the posts in these faculties, a number of posts equivalent to the post of Professors and Associate Professor have been sanctioned. The existing categories of posts are Deans and Directors, Principals of Colleges and Directors, Research Institutes, Professors in Colleges and equivalent staff on the research and extension side, Assistant Professors in colleges and equivalent staff on the research and extension side and Lecturers/Assistant Lecturers/Assistant Research Officers and equivalent staff on extension side.

(3.) This is also not in dispute that University Grants Commission formulated a scheme of revised scale of pay of the teachers of Agricultural Colleges and Universities. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research also agreed to extend the benefit of the University Grants Commission's new revised scale to all the teachers of the Universities and accordingly, the State Government, also granted sanction and agreed to implement new revised scale to the teachers of these universities and colleges.