RASIF MAJEED BHAT Vs. STATE AND OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner responded to advertisement notice no. 01 of 2005 dated 15/01/2005 issued by the respondent Institute inviting applications from the eligible candidates for the post of Computer Operator/Lab Assistant/System Administrator in the pay scale of Rs. 5000-8000. He participated in the selection process and was selected for the advertised post. The respondent Institute vide IMPA order no. 168 of 2005 dated 29.8.2005 acted upon the recommendation made by the Selection Committee and approved by Vice Chairman, IMPA, and appointed the petitioner as Computer Operator/Lab Assistant/System Administrator in the pay scale of Rs. 5000-8000 in the Institute.

(2.) The petitioner accepted the appointment and joined the Institute immediately after he was appointed and has been ever since serving the respondent Institute in said capacity. His probation period was vide IMPA order no. 369 of 2008 dated 24.09.2008 declared to have been successfully completed.

(3.) The petitioner after serving the department in the aforesaid capacity for more than six years has come up with writ petition on hand complaining that the post of Computer Operator/System Administrator in other departments of the government carries higher pay scale as compared to the pay scale attached to the post against which the petitioner stands appointed. The petitioner insists that on the principle of "equal pay for equal work", he is required to be placed in the grade attached to the post of Computer Operator/System Administrator in other departments of the state. The petitioner to reinforce his claim has appended detailed list of government departments having the post of System Administrator/System Analyst/Computer Operator, etc. on their establishment with the pay scales carried by such posts.