IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) THURSDAY, THE TWENTY THIRD DAY OF SEPTEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND FOUR PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE GHULAM MOHAMMED WRIT PETITION NO : 22635 of 1994 Between: Peethambaram Venkata Badari Narayanacharyulu, son of Venkata Krishnama Charyulu, Hindu, Annavaram Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swami Vari Devastanam, Annavaram of East Godavari District. ..... PETITIONER AND 1 Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swami Vari Devastanam, Annavaram, rep. by its Executive Officer, Annavaram, East Godavari District. 2 Commissioner, Endowments, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad. .....RESPONDENT(S) Petition under Article 226 of the constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the Affidavit filed herein the High Court will be pleased to issue any writ, Order or direction particularly a Writ in the nature of 'MANDAMUS' directing the Respondents to treat the Petitioner as FIRST GRADE VRATA PUROHIT from the date of promotion order with all consequential and attendant benefits including payment of salary/remuneration/ and seniority and to pass such other relief or leliefs Counsel for the Petitioner:DR.P.B.VIJAY KUMAR Counsel for the Respondent No.1: MR.V.PARABRAHMA SASTRI Counsel for the Respondent No.2: G.P. for Endowments The Court Made the following: ORDER This Writ Petition is filed seeking a direction to the respondents to treat the petitioner as First Grade Vrata Purohit from the date of promotion order with all consequential and attendant benefits including payment of salary etc., It is the case of the petitioner that he rendered long service as Vrata Purohit in the 1st respondent temple. It is his further case that he was promoted as First Grade Vrata Purohit from the Second Grade Purohit by the Executive Officer of the 1s t respondent temple pursuant to the proceedings in Rc.No.E4/443/84, dated 30-7-1984 and since then he has been working as such and he was also paid remuneration every month according to the ratio. Even though he was promoted to the First Grade Vrata Purohit, he was paid remuneration for Second Grade Vrata Purohit as if he was reverted to that post and he has not received any reversion order and he was also not given any opportunity to explain his grievance. It is his further case that he also submitted a representation to the Executive Officer for payment of differential pay. But so far he has not received any intimation. Hence the Writ Petition. The 1st respondent filed counter stating that the petitioner was always paid remuneration payable to First Grade Vrata Purohit and it was never reduced. During the year 1984, there were 84 purohits in total and they were divided into six groups. During the year 1989, the 2nd respondent has revised the classification into three grades vide RCA No.A/10745/88 dated 7-8-1989 fixing the remuneration at Rs.1000/-, Rs.700/- and Rs.500/- respectively. As per the agreement arrived in the year 1989 between the purohits and the 1st respondent, they have been paying full remuneration to the petitioner. Further the petitioner rank was never reverted. Hence it sought for dismissal of the Writ Petition. Heard both the learned counsel and perused the material available on record. It is evident from the record that the petitioner was promoted to First Grade Vrata Purohit from Second Grade Vrata Purohit pursuant to the proceedings issued by the Executive Officer of the 1st respondent temple in Rc.No.E4/433/1984, dated 30-07-1984 and since then the petitioner has been working as such. It is also clear from the counter that the 2nd respondent revised the classification of purohits from six groups to three groups and fixed the remuneration in the year 1989 and that there was a written agreement between the purohits and the respondent No.1, and as per the same they have been paying the full remuneration to the petitioner, who is now in new Grade II. In the circumstances it cannot be said that the rank of the petitioner was reverted and his remuneration was reduced. In such view of the matter, I do not find any ground to entertain the Writ Petition. The Writ petition is meritless and is dismissed. No order as to costs. ---------------- 23-09-2004. Hsd Assistant Registrar // true copy // Section Officer To 1 Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swami Vari Devastanam, Annavaram, rep. by its Executive Officer, Annavaram, East Godavari District. 2 Commissioner, Endowments, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad. 3. 2 CCs to G.P. for Endowments, High Court Buildings, Hyderabad (out) 4. 2 C.D. copies.