SHEEP WORKERS ASSOCIATION Vs. STATE OF J&K

JUDGEMENT

(1.) SHEPHERDS working in the Animal/Sheep Husbandary Department, through their Association and its President, filed this Writ petition in terms seeking parity in pay/salary with the Forest guards of Jammu and Kashmir State on the principles of equal pay equal work1 and for special allowance and other service benefits peculiar to the nature of duties rendered by the Shepherds.

(2.) IT is averred that the petitioners/Shepherds were initially appointed in the time pay scale of Rs. 180 -250 (un -revised) The Forest Guards were also appointed in the same scale of pay Both Shepherds and Forest Guards were placed in the pay scale of 180 -250 vide SRO 149 of 1972. Petitioners got salary equivalent to Forest Guards in the said pay scale till 1.1.1982 However on revision of the pay scales in 1982, vide SRO 350 dated 21 -8 -1982 the pay scale of 180 -250 was revised to 390 -500 in case of Shepherds and to 410 -625 in case of forest guards The Forest Guards were given higher pay scale than the petitioners (Annexure -D) Petitioners made representations but of no avail There was another grade revision In the year 1987 The pay scales of Shepherds and Forest Guards were revised from 390 -500 to 745 -1025 and from 410 -625 to 800 -1400 respectively. Again representation was made. However it evoked again no response. In 1992 another grade revision was ordered. Vide SRO 75 dated 30 -3 -1992, Shepherds were placed In the grade of 775 -1025, whereas, the Forest Guards have been placed in the grade of 950 -1400, Again the matter was represented before the Government. The representations have remained pending and the Government has observed silence and remained a mute spectator.

(3.) PETITIONERS grievance is that, though they are rendering the duties and performing the functions which are more dangerous, risky and onerous than those of Forest guards, yet Forest guards are given higher pay scales than the Shepherds.