WP(C) 6391/2007 BEFORE THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE B.K. SHARMA The issue involved in this writ petition is as to whether the pe titioners, the erstwhile employees of the Assam Conductors & Tubes Ltd. i.e. ASC ON, a Government of Assam undertaking are entitled to VRS benefits in the revise d scale of pay or in the pre-revised scale of pay. From the materials on record, it appears that the VRS benefits w ere extended to the employees in the revised pay scale and the same was approved by the Cabinet and due approval was also given by the Finance Department. The p etitioners have been deprived of the benefit of VRS benefits in the revised pay scale on the strength of Annexure-E letter dated 23.8.2006 issued to the Managin g Director of ASCON by the Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam , Industries & Commerce Department. From the Annexure-H communication dated 7.3. 2007 addressed to the Managing Director by the Joint Secretary to the Government of Assam in the Industries & Commerce Department, it was conveyed that the clos ure of the organization had been approved by the Cabinet Meeting held on 25.4.20 06 in the Cabinet Room of the Chief Minister’s Office. The letter further indica tes that the closure proposal was also approved by the Government and fund had b een released. Mr. B. Gogoi, learned Standing Counsel, Finance Department submi ts that the approval for payment of VRS benefits in the revised scale of pay has been accorded by the Finance Department and thus there cannot any reason as to why the petitioners are not be paid their VRS benefits in the revised scale of p ay. The letter from the Additional Chief Secretary referred to above hinted that the arrear salary and liability against VRS was not permitted unless the Govern ment approval had been obtained. Since the materials on record have disclosed that such approval had been accorded I see no reason to deprive the petitioners from the benefit of VRS in the revised pay scale. Accordingly, this writ petition is allowed with the direction to the respondents to confer the benefit of VRS to the petitioners in the revised scale of pay. Whatever consequential action is required to be taken, same shall be taken by the authority including the Managing Director of the respondent comp any. Entire exercise shall be carried out as expeditiously as possible, preferab ly within two months.