CWP No.2000 of 1988 -1- In the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh. Date of decision:10.11.2008 Bhagat Singh and others ... Petitioners Versus The State of Punjab and another ... Respondents Present Ms. Maninder, Advocate,for the petitioners. Mr.S.S. Sahu, A.A.G., Punjab, for the respondents. -- PERMOD KOHLI, J. (ORAL): The petitioners are working as Steno-Instructors in the different Government Industrial Schools for girls and in the Government Industrial Teachers Training Institute for women. Prior to 1968, they were in the pay scale of Rs.160-400/-. The pay scales of the Punjab Government Employees were revised with effect from 01.02.1968. The pay scales of Steno-Instructors were revised from Rs.160-400/- to Rs.225-500/-. Thereafter, Second Pay Commission was constituted by the State of Punjab to consider the revision of pay scales for its employees. On the recommendation of the Second Pay Commission, pay scales of Punjab Government employees came to be revised with effect from 01.01.1978. The Second Pay Commission recommended the pay scale of Rs.570-1080/- for the Steno-Instructors working in the department of Technical Education and Industrial Training, Punjab. It is alleged that similarly situated Steno- CWP No.2000 of 1988 -2- Instructors working in the other departments were, however, granted higher pay scales of Rs.620-1200/- with 20% Selection Grade of Rs.750-1300/- with effect from 01.01.1978. It is further alleged that the Craft Instructors working in the Industrial Training Institutes were also granted pay scale of Rs.620-1200/- with 20% Selection Grade of Rs.750-1300/-. It is further the case of the petitioners that prior to the Second Pay Commission recommendations, the Craft Instructors working in the Industrial Training Institutes and the Steno-Instructors working in different Industrial Schools were in the same pay scale of Rs.225-500/-. It is also their case that the nature of their duties are also the same. The petitioners have also relied upon the recommendation dated 22.06.1987, (Annexure P-5) made by respondent No.2 , but alleged that the said respondent has not recommended for the grant of the same pay scales to the petitioners i.e. pay scale of Rs.620-1200/- with 20% Selection Grade of Rs.750-1300/-. The respondents in paragraph 8 of the written statement have specifically admitted that prior to the recommendations of the Second Pay Commission, the pay scales of Craft Instructors/Punjabi Stenography Instructors of Government Industrial School for Girls and that of the petitioners were the same. It is only at the time of pay revision that they were placed in the different pay scales. It is further stated that in order to remove the disparity in the pay scales and bring them at par with each other, their case was sent to the Government for presentation before the Punjab Pay Anomaly Committee. However, in paragraph 6 of the written statement it is stated that duties and the responsibilities attached to the posts of Senior Scale Stenographers of the Punjab Civil Secretariat are different than the duties and responsibilities performed by the petitioners. CWP No.2000 of 1988 -3- I have heard the learned counsel for the parties at length and perused the record of the case. It is clear admission on the part of the respondents that the pay scales of the petitioners who are working as Stenography Instructors in the department of Technical Education and Industrial Training and those working in other departments including the Craft Instructors working in the same department were the same before the recommendation of the Second Pay Commission. The distinction sought to be drawn is without any basis and illusionary. No reasons have been disclosed to define and distinguish their duties and responsibilities. No valid reasons have been shown to deprive the petitioners of equal pay scale when the petitioners are performing the similar duties like the Craft Instructors and other Stenography Instructors working in the other departments. In view of the above, this petition is allowed. The respondents are directed to place the petitioners in the pay scale of Rs.620-1200/- with effect from 01.01.1978, with 20% Selection Grade of Rs.750-1300/-. If any of the petitioners are entitled to the Selection Grade within 20% of the Strength cadre, he/she shall also be granted such benefit till such time they remained in such cadre or retired from service. Let the necessary orders in this respect be passed within a period of four months from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order. If the petitioners have retired from service their retiral benefits be also calculated and paid accordingly. No costs. 10.11.2008. (PERMOD KOHLI) BLS JUDGE Note: Whether to be referred to the Reporter? YES/ NO CWP No.2000 of 1988 -4-