IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.SURENDRA MOHAN TUESDAY, THE 11TH OCTOBER 2011 / 19TH ASWINA 1933 WP(C).No. 20635 of 2011(R) ---------------------------------------- PETITIONER(S): ------------------------ 1. P.K.PRATHAPAN, AGED 61 YEARS, S/O.K.T.KUNJAPPAN, VEENA BHAVAN,SMITHA LANE, SOUTH CHITTOOR, ERNAKULAM-682 027 (RETIRED DISTRICT COURT SHERISTADAR FROM KERALA STATE TRANSPORT APPELLATE TRIBUNAL,ERNAKULAM). 2. V.P.DAS,S/O.PATHROSE, AGED 58 YEARS, VAYANAPALA HOUSE, MITTAYIKUNNU P.O., THALAYOLAPARAMBU,THRISSUR.(RETIRED DISTRICT COURT SHERISTADAR FROM MOTOR ACCIDENTS CLAIMS TRIBUNAL, ERNAKULAM). 3. M.K.RAVI, AGED 60 YEARS,MADASSERY HOUSE, PONNAKKODATH LANE, THRIKKAKARA,(RETIRED DISTRICT COURT SHERISTADAR FROM SPECIAL COURT (SPE/CBI)-I, ERNAKULAM). BY ADV. SRI.V.M.KRISHNAKUMAR RESPONDENT(S): ---------------------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA REP. BY SECRETARY, HOME (C) DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 003. 2. ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY, HOME (C) DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 013. 3. HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNKAULAM, PIN-682 031 REPRESENTED BY REGISTRAR, (SUBORDINATE JUDICIARY). R1 & R2 BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.SMITHA SUKUMAR R3 BY ADV. SRI.ELVIN PETER P.J. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 11/10/2011, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: sts WP(C)NO.20635/2011 APPENDIX PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS: P1 COPY OF THE GOVERNMENT ORDER GO(MS)NO.50/83/HOME DATED 13/4/1983 P2 COPY OF THE GOVERNMENT ORDERS G.O.(P)NO.480/89/FIN DATED 01/11/1989. P3 COPY OF THE G.O.(P)NO.600/93/FIN DATED 25/09/1993. P4 COPY OF THE G.O.(P)NO.3000/98/FIN DATED 25/11/1998. P5 COPY OF THE G.O.(P)NO.145/2006/FIN DATED 25/03/2006. P6 COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 09/04/2007 ISSUED BY REGISTRAR, SUBORDINATE JUDICIARY. P7 COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 26/11/2006 ISSUED BY REGISTRAR, SUBORDINATE JUDICIARY. P8 COPY OF THE REPLY ISSUED BY THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, HIGH COURT OF KERALA DATED 30/04/2011. P9 COPY OF THE TABLE OF SCALE OF PAY OF DIFFERENT PAY REVISION FROM 01/11/1989 ONWARDS. RESPONDENT'S EXHIBITS: NIL /TRUE COPY/ P.A.TO.JUDGE sts K.SURENDRA MOHAN, J. = = = = = = = = = = = = = WP(C).No.20635 of 2011-R. = = = = = = = = = = = = = Dated this the 11th October, 2011. J U D G M E N T The petitioners are persons who have retired from service as Sheristadars of District Courts. Their complaint is against the different pay scales that are made applicable to the posts of Sheristadars of District Courts and Administrative Assistants in other Government departments. According to the petitioners, all along, the above posts were treated at par with each other. The petitioners also contend that they are entitled to be paid salary at the same pay scale that is applicable to the Administrative Assistant of the other Government departments. Though they have submitted a number of representations setting out their grievances, the authorities have not considered or taken any decision in the matter. My attention is also drawn to Ext.P6, a communication WP(C).No.20635/2011-R. 2 issued by the Registrar (Subordinate Judiciary) of this Court requesting the Government to take a decision in this matter by upgrading the post of Sheristadars to that of an Administrative Assistant, vis-a-vis the pay scale applicable. Though Ext.P6 is dated 9.4.2007, it is pointed out that no orders have been passed thereon, till date. 2. The learned Government Pleader, on instructions, submits that the two posts in question were considered at par only for the purpose of pay scales, whereas the duties and responsibilities continues to be totally different. However, since the matter is pending before the Government, it is assured that a decision in the matter would be taken without further delay. 3. Since the issue is pending consideration of the Government, it is not necessary for me to consider the merits of the claim put forward by the petitioners. It is sufficient that the first respondent is directed to take a decision in the matter, without further delay. 4. This writ petition is accordingly disposed of WP(C).No.20635/2011-R. 3 directing the first respondent to take a decision on Ext.P6, in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible and at any rate within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. K.SURENDRA MOHAN, (Judge) Kvs/-