GORDHAN LAL Vs. STATE OF RAJASTHAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been filed by the petitioner on 9. 3. 1992 against the respondents with the prayers that by an appropriate writ, order or direction, the order dated 31. 12. 1985 (Annex. P/9) issued by the Assistant Engineer, Vehicle Sub Division, Mechanical Division-2, Mahi Project, Banswara be quashed and set aside and the respondents be directed to make payment of the salary to the petitioner for the post of Generator Driver with effect from 1. 1. 1986 with all consequential benefits on the basis of principle of equal pay for equal work and the respondents be further directed to regularise the services of the petitioner on the post of Generator Driver with effect from 23. 2. 1983 etc. etc.

(2.) IT arises in the following circumstances: The petitioner for the first time came to be appointed on the post of Beldar with effect from 1. 10. 1974. Thereafter, he was promoted to the post of Helper from the post of Beldar vide order dated 1. 10. 1977, a copy of which is marked as Annex. P/1. IT was further submitted in the writ petition that thereafter, after due selection and recruitment and on the basis of the recommendations of the Promotion Committee, the petitioner was promoted to the post of Generator Diver vide order dated 23. 2. 1983 issued by the Chief Engineer, Mahi Bajajsagar Project, Banswara and that promotion was on probation basis. A copy of the said order dated 23. 2. 1983 issued by the Chief Engineer, Mahi Bajajsagar Project, Banswara and that promotion was on probation basis. A copy of the said order dated 23. 2. 1983 is marked as Annex. P/2. Vide order dated 28. 2. 1983 (Annex. P/3) issued by the Executive Engineer, Mechanical Division-2, Damsite, Banswara, the petitioner was posted in Vehicle Sub Division. IT was further submitted in the writ petition that thereafter vide order dated 1. 11. 1983 9annex. P/4) issued by the Assistant Engineer, Vehicle Sub Division, Mechanical Division - 2, Banswara, the petitioner was reverted from the post of Generator Driver to the post of Helper despite the fact that he was earlier promoted to the post of Generator Driver vide order dated 23. 2. 1983 (Annex. P/2 ). IT was further submitted in the writ petition that thereafter, the petitioner was again promoted to the post of Generator Driver from the post of helper vide order dated 18. 2. 1984 (Annex. P/5) issued by the Chief Engineer, Mahi Bajajsagar Project, Banswara. Thereafter, vide order dated 31. 10. 1984 (Annex. P/6) issued by the Chief Engineer, the petitioner was granted revised new pay scale, 1983 for the post of Generator Driver and his services were also regularised on the post of Generator Driver. IT was further submitted in the writ petition that vide order dated 7. 12. 1984 (Annex. P/7), the tenure of the services of the petitioner on the post of Generator Driver was extended upto 31. 2. 1985 and thereafter, vide order dated 15. 7. 1985 (Annex. P/8), the services of the petitioner were further extended upto 31. 7. 1985. However, surprisingly vide order dated 31. 12. 1985 (Annex. P/9) issued by the Assistant Engineer, Vehicle Sub division, Mechanical Division-2, Mahi Project, Banswara, the petitioner was reverted from the post of generator Driver to the post of Helper with effect from 1. 1. 1986. Against the said reversion order dt. 31. 12. 1985 (Annex. P/9), the petitioner submitted representation to the Superintending Engineer on 23. 1. 1992 (annex. P/11), but since no action was taken, therefore, he preferred this writ petition with the prayers as stated above contending inter-alia that the order dt. 31. 12. 1985 (annex. P/9) reverting the petitioner from the post of Generator Driver to the post of Helper is wholly illegal and without jurisdiction. IT was further submitted that no doubt the petitioner was reverted form the post of Generator Driver to the post of helper with effect from 1. 1. 1986, but he was continuously working on the post of Generator Driver, but he was not being paid the salary of the post of Generator Driver. In support of the please raised in the writ petition, the learned Counsel for the petitioner has invited by attention to various annexures issued by the respondents from time to time in favour of the petitioner. A reply to the writ petition was field by the respondents on 28. 10. 1992 and after admitting factual position as mentioned in the writ petition, it was asserted by the respondents that the petitioner is not entitled to any relief sought for. A rejoinder was filed by the petitioner to the reply submitted by the respondents and alongwith the rejoinder, some annexures have also been annexed.

(3.) THERE is also no dispute on the point on the point that through order Annex. P/7 dated 7. 12. 1984, the term of the services of the petitioner on the post of Generator Driver was extended upto 31. 3. 1985 and through through Annex. P/8 dated 15. 7. 1985, the services of the petitioner were further extended upto 31. 7. 1985.