CWP NO.3877 OF 1987 :1: IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. DATE OF DECISION: 23.9.2008 Harbhajan Singh ...Petitioner VERSUS The State of Punjab and others …Respondents CORAM HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE PERMOD KOHLI PRESENT: Mr.V.K.Sharma, Advocate for the petitioner Mr.S.S.Sahu, AAG, Punjab for the respondents Permod Kohli, J. (Oral) The short dispute raised in the present petition is for grant of equal pay scale for Proof Reader working in the Punjab Official Language (Legislative) Commission as also Office of Legal Remembrance, Punjab Government for the period between 1983 to 1.1.1986. It is admitted case of the parties that prior to 1978, the Proof Readers working in the Official Language (Legislative) Commission as also in the Office of Legal Remembrance, Punjab Government were in the same pay scale of Rs.350-650. The pay scale was revised on 1.1.1978 (Revised pay scale of Rs.700-1200). However, in the year 1983, the pay scale of Proof Readers working in the Office of Legal Remembrance, CWP NO.3877 OF 1987 :2: Government of Punjab was revised to Rs.800-1400 w.e.f. 1.1.1978, but in case of the petitioner, his pay scale remained Rs.700-1200 till 31.12.1985 and it was only on the recommendation of the 3rd Pay Commission, revised pay scale of Rs.2000-3500 was granted to the petitioner as also the Proof Reader working in the Office of Legal Remembrance, Government of Punjab w.e.f. 1.1986. The petitioner has specifically averred in the writ petition in paragraph 4 that the nature of duties to be performed by the Proof Reader in the Punjab Official Language (Legislative) Commission and one working in the Office of Legal Remembrance are identical. The nature of duties to be performed by the Proof Reader are also indicated in paragraph 2 of the writ petition. This fact has not been disputed or denied in any manner by the respondents in the reply filed. Even after the pay revision w.e.f. 1.1.1986, both the Proof Readers were placed in the same pay scale. No distinguishing features have been shown or any other valid reason for different pay scale for the period between 1.1.1978 to 31.12.1985. The petitioner, being similarly situated and performing identical duties as being performed by the Proof Reader in the Office of Legal Remembrance, Punjab is entitled to similar treatment and same pay scale on the doctrine of “equal pay for equal work” as also “parity”. This petition is accordingly allowed and it is directed that the petitioner be paid pay scale of Rs.800-1400 w.e.f. 1.1.1982 to 31.12.1985. Petititioner be paid for the aforesaid period within a CWP NO.3877 OF 1987 :3: period of four months from today. If the amount is not paid, the petitioner shall be entitled to interest at the rate of 4% per annum till the amount is actually paid. (PERMOD KOHLI) JUDGE 23.9.2008 MFK