Summarize the following court judgment. ition No. 5019 of 1982. (Under Article 32 of the Constitution of India.) M.S. Ganesh for the Petitioner. V.K. Kanth	 N.S. Das Behal and Ms. Sushma Relan for the Respondents. The Judgment of the Court was delivered by SABYASACHI MUKHARJI	 J. This petition under Article 32 of the Constitution	 in a representative capacity on behalf of the stenographers (Grade I) who are attached with officers in the pay scale of Rs.2500 2750 (Level I)	 seeks parity with the pay scale of the stenographers attached to the Joint Secretaries and officers above that rank. It is stated that the petitioners are in the pay scale of Rs.550 900. The petitioners claim that they should be placed in the pay scale of Rs.650 1040 with effect from 1st of January	 1973. It must	 however	 be mentioned that this petition was filed on or about 7th of May	 1982 and submissions on this petition were made in the end of November	 1986. Therefore	 the position pertaining to the controversy in this case is prior to the report or the implementation of the Fourth Pay Commission. In short	 the petitioners are personal assistants and stenographers attached to the heads of the departments in the Customs and Central Excise Departments of the Ministry of Finance. They assert that they have been and are discriminated vis a vis personal assistants and stenographers attached to the Joint Secretaries and officers above them in the Ministry. In brief	 it is the case of the petitioners that between 28th of January	 1955 to 8th of November	 1957 the Ministry of Finance prescribed certain educational qualifications and technical proficiency qualifications for both Stenographers and Steno typists. On or about 26th of April	 1968	 the Department of Revenue	 Central Board of Excise and Customs made provisions for filling the posts of Stenographers by direct recruitment and prescribed qualifications etc. for the same. In July	 1969 the Government of India	 Ministry of Home Affairs classified the posts of Stenographers sanctioned at different levels into four grades viz.	 Grade III	 II	 I and Selection Grade. Posts attached to Secrataries and Additional Secretaries were classi 1002 fied as Selection Grade originally and were given pay of Rs.350 (500)900 with effect from 1st of August	 1969; Stenographers Grade II (Rs.210 530) placed with Joint Secretaries and officers of equivalent rank were upgraded to Grade I in the pay scale of Rs.350(400) 770;Grade II stenographers were given Rs.210 530; Grade III stenographers were given Rs.130 280 and Grade III in petitioners ' offices were given Rs.130 300. It is the case of the petitioners that the counterparts of the petitioners (Grade II Stenographers) were in the pay scale of Rs.210 530 and petitioners in Rs.210 425. Criteria of pay scales/status/rank of officers for the scale of pay of stenographers were made out. In 1970 Ministry of Home Affairs set out the category of officers viz. Joint Secretaries to the Government of India and officers of equivalent rank are entitled to the sanction of scale of category of stenographers Grade I Sr.P.A. in the pay scale of Rs.350 770. Criteria of status/rank of an officer was again established for the pay scale of stenographers. Ministry of Home Affairs on or about 29th of June	 1972 pursuant to the decision taken on that date reached in the NCJCM relates to creation of posts of Stenographers Grade I and Grade II in subordinate offices and other offices of the Government of India and also identified/set out/clarified that the posts of Stenographers attached to officers whose status is higher than that of Deputy Secretary to the Government of India shall be in the scale of Rs.210 425. Criteria of status of an officer for scale of pay of Stenographers was again established. Thereafter there was the Third Pay Commission 's report which was accepted and recommendations were given effect to. As a result of the various Government notifications thereafter and Rules framed	 it is the case of the petitioners that their counterparts	 that is to say	 Stenographers Grade I attached/sanctioned to the Joint Secretaries and equivalent officers were given the pay scale of Rs.650(710) 1040; whereas the petitioners whose posts were/are sanctioned and attached with the officers of the same Government Ministry of Finance and the Department of Revenue and the same administration and Grade Level I (Rs.2500 2750) Joint Secretaries and Level II (Rs.2250 2500) Directors	 who are also Heads of Departments	 and are at par in seniority/promotion with the counterparts officers in the Department of Revenue were given only Rs.425 700	 whereas the Stenographers Grade I/Senior Grade	 the petitioners discharged the same functions and indeed	 have sometimes more onerous duties and responsibilities than their counterparts attached with Joint Secretaries and Level II Directors	 according to the petitioners. From the affidavit filed on behalf of the petitioners in reply to the opposition by the respondents	 it appears that the method of recruitment in respect of Grade I stenographers in the Department are as follows: 1003 (i) Petitioners ' counterparts in the so called Secretariat & participating attached offices CSSS. _______________________________________________________ Grade of Classi Designation/level/ Date of Stenographers fication. status/rank/grades sanction/ and scale of and pay scales of or up pay. officers for whom gradation. sanctioned/attached. _______________________________________________________ (1) (2) (3) (4) _______________________________________________________ Grade B Central (i) Joint Secretaries (Grade I) Civil & Equivalent. Rs.650 (710) Service Rs.2500 2750 1.1.1973 1040. Group 'B ' (Gazetted)(ii) Directors & Equivalent. Rs.2250 2500 12.11.1975 (iii) Directors & Equivalent. Rs.2000 2250 23.1.1984 _______________________________________________________ (ii) Petitioners ' Officers i.e. so called non participating attached and subordinate offices (Directorates & Collectorates of Customs & Central Excise): _______________________________________________________ (1) (2) (3) (4) _______________________________________________________ Grade I Central (i) Heads of the Departments Rs.550 900 Civil *Directors/ Service Collectors of Group 'B ' Customs & Central (non Excise Level I gazetted). Equivalent to Joint Secretaries Rs.2500 2750. 4.7.78 (ii) Directors/ Collectors of Customs & Central Excise Level II Equivalent to Directors (IRS IC & CE Service 1004 Rs.2250 2500 4.7.1978 (iii) Directors/ * * Generals/ Principal Collectors i.e. Level I Col lectors + Rs.250 S.P. Equivalent to pay scale of Addl. Secretary Rs.3000 i.e. Rs.2500 2750 + SP of Rs.250 */** All Heads of the Depart ments. x x x x x x x (iii) Comparative Position _______________________________________________________ Officers ' pay scales Pay scales of Petitioners in the two offices Stenographers pay scales with (Petitioners & their Gr. I in Sectt.these officers. counterparts) & Participating Offices (Petitioners counterparts) sanctioned with these officers. (1) (2) (3) _______________________________________________________ Rs.2500 2750 Rs.650(710) 1040 Rs.425 700 w.e.f.1.1.1973. w.e.f.1.1.73 Rs.550 900 w.e.f.4.7.78 Rs.2250 2500 Rs.650(710) 1040 Rs.425 700 w.e.f.12.11.75. w.e.f.1.1.73 Rs.550 900 w.e.f.4.7.78. Rs.2000 2250 Rs.650(710)/1040 Rs.425 700 w.e.f.23.1.1984. w.e.f.1.1.1973 Rs.2500 2750+ Rs.650(775) 1200 Rs.550 900 Spl Pay of Rs.250 w.e.f.1.1.73 i.e.Rs.3000 _______________________________________________________ 1005 In the rejoinder filed on behalf of the petitioners in this application by one Ved Bhardwaj	 General Secretary of the Federation	 it is stated that the correct position of recruitment and position vis a vis the petitioners counterparts in the so called secretariat and participating attached offices are as follows: "(i) The petitioners and their Secretariat counterparts are both members of the same Central Civil Service; (ii) They are both Stenographers Grade I belonging to Group 'B ' of the Service except that the Secretariat Stenographers are gazetted	 whereas the petitioners are not. This exception is a purely fortuitous circumstances; (iii) The petitioners and their counterparts are both sanctioned	 assigned to and attached with officers who are in the pay scales of Rs.2500 2750	 Rs.2250 2500 and Rs.2000 2250; (iv) Majority of the petitioners ' posts are sanctioned/ attached with Heads of the Department. " The petitioners assert that the above facts reinforce the petitioners ' submissions that as between them and their Secretariat counterparts all things are equal i.e.	 all relevant considerations governing both are the same and they hold identical posts. According to the petitioners they discharge the same functions and	 indeed	 some times more onerous duties and responsibilities than their counterparts whether in the Ministry of Finance or other Ministeries in the Central Secretariat. In the very nature of their service and its concomitant duties and obligations	 which concern the administration and execution of matters falling under the 	 the Central Excise and Salt Act	 1944	 the Foreign Exchange Regulations Act	 1973 and other Acts. The petitioners have various duties to perform which according to them are as follows: "(a) long and arduous hours of work	 generally extending late in the evening beyond normal office hours and sometimes throughout the night in cases of emergency that have become all too frequent owing to increased punitive and preventive detention cases arising under these Acts resulting in proceedings before all levels of Courts including this Honourable 1006 Court	 and a spate of Parliament Questions affecting the Ministry of Finance	 Department of Revenue	 and the petitioners ' Department in particular in all its administrative aspects and ramifications. The petitioners have no option but to discharge these duties when called upon to do so and their willingness to forego overtime (in cases where the Stenographers are entitled) is not accepted by the officers as affording an excuse to relieve the petitioners of such duties and hours of work. (b) an excessively recurring volume of dictation and typing	 day to day to cope with the normal and emergent exigencies	 including written correspondence	 recording and transcribing of notes on inspection tours and preparation of investigation and tour reports for the superior officers; of notes and memoranda for counsel in court proceedings	 of briefs for official statements and conferences and replies to Parliament Questions and the Public Accounts Committee	 Chambers of Commerce	 Customs and Central Excise Advisory Councils and other bodies on fiscal policies like Commissions/Committees	 detailed reports constituting background material with reference to cases or matters falling within the purview of any one or more of the aforesaid Acts	 and so on. (c) observing the very stringent requirements of secrecy necessarily involved in such cases or matters	 (d) the consequent constant exposure to security risks and to personal safety with accompanying mental tension and strain. " The petitioners assert that basic qualifications	 method	 manner and source of recruitment and grades of promotions are the same as their counterparts attached to the Joint Secretaries/Secretaries and other officers in the Secretariat. According to the petitioner even on the criteria adopted by the Third Pay Commission they seek herein to demonstrate that there was no basis for any differentiation between the petitioners and their counterparts. While the petitioners get a grade of Rs.550 900 their counterparts are in the pay scale of Rs.650 1040. The petitioners assert that this is discrimination. This differenti 1007 ation without any rational basis is discrimination violative of Article 14 and Article 16(1) of the Constitution of India. They clamour for equal pay for equal work. They also allege that their has been discrimination in the adoption of the recommendations of the Third Pay Commission as detailed in their petition. This petition has been disposed of on the basis of the position prevailing prior to the report of the Fourth Pay Commission and its acceptance or implementation. The respondents on the other hand deny that their is any discrimination	 differentiation without basis. The respondents by their affidavit filed by one Shri S.P. Kundu	 Under Secretary to the Government of India	 Ministry of Finance assert that the Secretariat of the Ministries/Departments of the Government of India together constitute Headquarters Organisation. In the administrative hierarchy of the Central Government	 the Secretariat occupy according to respondents a key position and the main role of the Secretariat is to help the Government in the tasks of formulation of policies	 to prepare programmes in order to translate these policies	 into co ordinated action and to ensure the effective execution of Government policies through periodical review. The Secretariat also helps Ministers to discharge their accountability to Parliament including the various Parliamentary Committees. According to the respondents detailed execution of Government 's policies specially in the field is left to the agencies outside the Secretariat which are called attached or subordinate offices of the Ministries	 but they are always subject to supervision by the Secretariat. The respondents state that to man the various stenographic posts in the Headquarters	 the Government constituted the Central Secretariat Stenographers Service (CSSS) which also cater to the needs of such posts in several attached offices which are known as participating offices. But none of the attached offices	 assert the respondents	 of the Department of Revenue are participating offices. Therefore	 keeping in view the importance and the nature and the type of the work performed in the Ministries/Departments of the Government of India vis a vis those in the attached and subordinate offices and consequently the nature of stenographic assistance required	 according to the respondents the Third Pay Commission recommended different scales of pay for Stenographers in CSSS and those in the non participating attached and subordinate offices. The respondents in this connection have drawn our attention to the Report of the Third Pay Commission in recommending different and lower scales of pay for the stenographers of the non participating attached and subordinate offices in comparison with those in the Central Secretariat as follows: 1008 "As a general statement	 it is correct to say that the basic nature of a stenographer 's work remains by and large the same whether he is working with an officer in the secretariat or with an officer in the subordinate office. We feel	 however	 that the position needs to be examined a little more critically because the size of a stenographer 's job is very much dependent upon the nature of the work entrusted to that officer. It would not be correct therefore to go merely by status in these matters and disregard the functional requirements. By the very nature of Secretariat working the volume of dictation and typing work can be expected to be heavier than in a subordinate office. Also the requirement of secrecy even in the civil offices of the Secretariat can be very stringent. Considering the differences in the hierarchical structure and in the type of work transacted in the Secretariat and in the subordinate offices	 we are not in favour of adopting a uniform pattern. Once the functional requirements are seen to be different for the Secretariat and the subordinate office	 it will not be worth while to aim for absolute parity in the pay scale of Stenographers working on the two sides. " What was emphasised before us was that the difference in the functional requirements of the work done was one of the points. The respondents say that in devising any scales of various posts/categories	 inter alia	 the degree of skill	 experience involved	 training required	 responsibility taken	 strain	 fatigue	 risk and confidentiality undertaken	 mental and physical requirements are factors to be borne in mind. It has been emphasised by the respondents that though the duties and works are identical between the petitioners and their counterparts attached to the Secretaries in the Secretariat	 their functions are not identical with regard to their duties and responsibilities. The respondents state that the stenographers attached with the officers in the Secretariat formed a distinguishable class as they have to assist the officers in the discharge of their duties and high responsibilities which according to the respondents are of a much higher nature than in the attached and subordinate offices. According to the respondents the Joint Secretaries and Directors in the Central Secretariat performed functions and duties of higher responsibilities than those performed by the Heads of Departments although they are borne on identical scales of pay. It is in this background of the facts that the claims of the petitioner have to be judged. 1009 Equal pay for equal work is a fundamental right. But equal pay must depend upon the nature of the work done	 it cannot be judged by the mere volume of work	 there may be qualitative difference as regards reliability and responsibility. Functions may be the same but the responsibilities make a difference. One cannot deny that often the difference is a matter of degree and that there is an element of value judgment by those who are charged with the administration in fixing the scales of pay and other conditions of service. So long as such value judgment is made bona fide	 reasonably on an intelligible criteria which has a rational nexus with the object of differentiation	 such differentiation will not amount to discrimination. It is important to emphasise that equal pay for equal work is a concomitant of Article 14 of the Constitution. But it follows naturally that equal pay for unequal work will be a negation of that right. We may briefly note the principles evolved by this Court in this respect in the backdrop of varied set of facts. Differentiation in implementing the award or the recommendations of Pay Commission without rational basis may amount to discrimination. In Purshottam Lal & Others. vs Union of India & Anr.	 it was held that implementation of the revised pay scale in a particular category of servants from a date later than that recommended by the Pay Commission and thus non implementation of its report only in respect of those persons amounts to violation of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution	 the Constitution Bench held. In Laljee Dubey and Others vs Union of India and Others	 this principle was reiterated again. This Court in Randhir Singh vs Union of India & Ors.	 ; had to deal with the case of a driver constable in the Delhi Police Force under the Delhi Administration. The scale of pay in the Delhi Police Force was for non matriculate drivers Rs.210 70 and for matriculate drivers Rs.225 308. The scale of pay of a driver in the Railway Protection Force was Rs.260 400. The scale of pay of drivers in the non secretariat offices in Delhi was Rs.260 6 326 EB 8 350	 while that of Secretariat offices in Delhi was Rs.260 6 290 EB 6 326 8 366 EB 8 8 8 390 10 400. The scale of pay of drivers in the office of the Language Commission was Rs.260 300 while the drivers of heavy vehicles in the Fire Brigade and the Department of Light House was Rs.330 480. The petitioner and other driver constables made a representation to the authorities that their case was omitted to be considered separately by the Third Pay Commission and that their pay scales should be the same as the drivers of heavy vehicles in other departments. As their claims for better scales of pay did not meet with success	 the said application was filed by the petitioner for the issue of 1010 a write under Art.32 of the Constitution. It was allowed by the Court. Chinnappa Reddy	 J. speaking for a Bench of three learned judges of this Court reiterated the following principles: "(a) 'Equal pay for equal work ' is not a mere demagogic slogan but a constitutional goal capable of attainment through constitutional remedies	 by the enforcement of constitutional rights (under Article 32 of the Constitution of India). (b)The stand (of the Government of India) that the circumstance that persons belonging to different departments of the Government is itself a sufficient circumstance to justify different scales of pay irrespective of the identity of their powers	 duties and responsibilities	 is unacceptable and untenable. (c) While equation of posts and equation of pay are matters primarily for the Executive Government and expert bodies like the Pay Commission and not for the Courts	 where all things are equal i.e. where all relevant considerations are the same	 persons holding identical posts may not be treated differentially in the matter of their pay merely because they belong to different departments. (d) The principle of equal pay for equal work is not an abstract doctrine when applied to Government servants performing similar functions and having identical powers	 duties and responsibilities. (e) As matter of interpretation	 the Directive Principles	 e.g. Article 39(d) of the Constitution	 have to be and have been read into the Fundamental Rights	 e.g. Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. So read	 the principle of equal pay for equal work	 though not expressly declared by our Constitution to be a fundamental right	 is a constitutional goal. Construing Articles 14 and 16 in the light of the Preamble and Article 39(d)	 the principle of 'equal pay for equal work ' is deducible from those Articles and may be properly applied to cases of unequal scales of pay based on no classification or irrational classification though those drawing the different scales of pay do identical work under the same employer. " 1011 The Court further expressed the view that on the aforesaid interpretation in the facts of that case	 it was proper to direct the Central Government to fix pay scales on par for persons doing identical work under the same employer. It is	 however	 to be borne in mind what has been emphasised by the respondents in the instant case on this aspect. That case related to the drivers who had been doing physical work	 in the case of stenographers and personal assistants	 there is an element of faith	 reliability and responsibility and the functional responsibilities and the requirements of persons doing same amount of physical work may be different in some cases depending upon the officers with whom the stenographers and personal assistants are attached. On behalf of the petitioners	 it is emphasised that Heads of Departments who are in the senior Administrative Grade Level I (Rs.2500 2750) which is equivalent to the pay scale of the Joint Secretaries in the Ministries and their nature of work is virtually the same. They have also to deal with sensitive matters. The basic principles on which differentiation would not amount to discrimination	 violative of either Article 14 of Article 16(1) of the Constitution are well settled. Article 14 of the Constitution strikes at the arbitrariness in State action and ensures fairness and equality of treatment. It is attracted where equals are treated differently without any reasonable basis. The principle underlying the guarantee is that all persons similarly circumstanced shall be treated alike both in privileges conferred and liabilities imposed. Equal laws must be applied equally and there should be no discrimination between one person and another if as regards the subject matter of either administrative action or of legislation	 their position is substantially the same. Article 14 forbids class legislation but permits reasonable classification for the purpose of legislation or administrative mandate. The classification must	 however	 be founded on an intelligible basis which distinguishes persons or things that are grouped together from those that are left out of the group and that differentia must have a rational nexus with the object to be achieved by the differentiation made in the statute or order in question. In other words	 there ought to be causal connection between the basis of classification and the object of the classification. See in this connection the observations of the Constitution Bench of this Court in the case of D.S. Nakara & Others vs Union of India	 ; See also P.K. Ramachandra Iyer & Others vs Union of India & others	 [1984] 2 S.C.R. 200	 where this Court at page 226 of the Report reiterated that the principle of 'equal pay for equal work ' is deducible from those Articles 14 and 16 in the light of the Preamble and Article 39(d) of the Constitution and might be applied properly in the cases of unequal scales of pay based on no classification or irrational classification 1012 though those drawing the different scales of pay do identical work under the same employer. In Delhi Veterinary Association vs Union of India & Others	 ; 	 which was dealing with Veterinary Assistant Surgeons working in the Delhi Administration. It was observed dismissing the writ petition that the question of the fixation of pay scale for Veterinary Assistant Surgeons should be left to be decided by the Government on the basis of the recommendation of the Fourth Pay Commission. The question of discrimination cannot be decided in isolation. This Court reiterated that in addition to the principle of 'equal pay for equal work '	 the pay structure of the employees of the Government should reflect many other social values. This Court also emphasised the need for evolution and implementation of a scientific national policy of incomes	 wages and prices. In P. Savita vs Union of India & Ors.	 [1985] Suppl. 1 S.C.R.101 this Court was dealing with Senior Draughtsmen doing the same work and discharging the similar functions and duties. They were classified into two groups	 on the basis of seniority with two different pay scales. The question was whether it was discriminatory. It was held that it was. This Court reiterated that a group of draughtsmen entitled to higher scale of pay was not selected by any process nor is it based on any merit cum seniority basis	 but is based only on seniority cum fitness. Moreover	 it was found that the senior draughtsmen divided into two groups were in the same department doing identical and same work. It was not a case of different grades created on the ground of higher qualification either academic or otherwise or an entitlement by any other criteria. Thus the classification between the two groups of senior draughtsmen was without any basis. In view of the total absence of any plea in that case on the side of the respondents that the Senior Draughtsmen who were placed in the advantageous group do not perform work and duties more onerous or different from the work performed by the appellants groups in that case	 it was held that this grouping violated Article 14 of the Constitution. It reiterated that the principle of 'equal pay for equal work ' would be an abstract doctrine not attracting Article 14 if quality is made critarion for differentiation. See also Surinder Singh and Anr. vs Engineer in Chief	 C.P.W.D. and Others	 This Court in a different context had to decide this question in Frank Anthony Public School Employees ' Association vs Union of India and Others	 [1986]4 SCC 707. It was held that there cannot be discrimination in pay and other conditions of service of school teachers merely on the basis of aided and unaided minority schools. As is evident the facts of the instant case are entirely different. 1013 Here the differentiation is sought to be justified on the similarity of the functional work but on the dissimilarity of the responsibility	 confidentiality and the relationship with public etc. In Dhirendra Chamoli and another vs State of U.P.	 	 this Court was concerned with the casual workers on daily wage basis engaged by the Government in different Nehru Yuvak Kendras in the country performing the same duties as performed by the regular Class IV employees against the sanctioned strength. The claim was allowed with certain directions on the basis of the facts found. See in this connection Union of India & Anr. vs R.G. Kashikar & Anr.	 AIR 1986 SC 431. In Writ Petition (Civil) Nos. 13097 13176 of 1984	 M.P. Singh Deputy Superintendent of Police	 C.B.I. and Others vs Union of India & Others	 (Judgments Today 	 this Court on the facts of that case found that among the employees of the Central Bureau of Investigation	 there are two classes of officials deputationists and non deputationists amongst Sub Inspectors	 Inspectors and Deputy Superintendent of Police. There has been discrimination among two groups with regard to payment of special pay. Special pay related to arduous nature of duties to be performed. Whether they belong to the category of deputationists or non deputationists payment of different rates of Special pay	 it was held in the facts of the case	 did not pass the test of classification. This Court reiterated that it was well settled that in order to pass the test of permissible classification of persons belonging to the same class into groups for purposes of differential treatment two conditions must be fulfilled	 namely	 that the classification must be founded on an intelligible differentia which distinguishes persons who were grouped together from others left out of the group and that differentia must have a rational relation to the objects sought to be achieved by the law which brings about discrimination between the two groups. In M/s. Mackinnon Mackenzie & Co. Ltd. vs Audrey D 'Costa & Anr.	 (SLP (CIVIL) No. 1265/87 decided on March 26	1987)	 the question was the different treatment between male and female stenographers. But there differentiation was based on the ground of sex. It was struck down. It will clearly be violative of Article 14 and Article 16 of the Constitution. In this case the differentiation has been sought to be justified in view of the nature and the types of the work done	 that is	 on intelligible basis. The same amount of physical work may entail different quality of work	 some more sensitive	 some requiring more tact	 some less it varies from nature and culture of employment. The problem about equal pay cannot always be translated into a mathematical formula. If it has a rational nexus with the object to be sought for	 as 1014 reiterated before a certain amount of value judgment of the administrative authorities who are charged with fixing the pay scale has to be left with them and it cannot be interfered with by the Court unless it is demonstrated that either it is irrational or based on no basis or arrived mala fide either in law or in fact. In the light of the averments made and in the facts mentioned before	 it is not possible to say that the differentiation is based on no rational nexus with the object sought for to be achieved. In that view of the matter this application must fail and it is accordingly dismissed without any order as to costs. We must	 however	 make it clear that this will not in any way prevent or prejudice the Government from reviewing the situation in the light of the report of the Fourth Pay Commission or any other appropriate body	 if any	 with such modification as the Government and the authorities concerned considered fit and proper. S.L. Petition dismissed.

By this writ petition	 Personal Assistants and Stenographers (Grade I) in the pay scale of Rs. 550 900 attached with officers in the pay scale of Rs.2500 2750 (Level I) i.e. heads of the departments in the Customs and Central Excise Departments of the Finance Ministry	 sought parity with the pay scale of the stenographers attached to the Joint Secretaries and the officers above. The petitioners asserted that they had been and were discriminated vis a vis the personal assistants and stenographers attached to the Joint Secretaries and the officers above in the Ministry	 and claimed that they should be placed in the pay scale of Rs.650 1040 with effect from 1st January 1973. They contended that the basic qualifications	 method	 manner and source of recruitment and grades of promotion were the same as of their counterparts attached to the Joint Secretaries/Secretaries and other officers in the Secretariat. According to them	 even on the criteria adopted by the Third Pay Commission there was no basis for any differentiation between the petitioners and their counterparts. While the petitioners got a grade of Rs.550 900	 their counterparts were in the pay scale of Rs.650 1040. The petitioners asserted that this differentiation without any rational basis was discrimination violative of Articles 14 and 16(1) of the Constitution of India. They contended for equal pay for equal work	 and alleged discrimination in the adoption of the recommendation of the Third Pay Commission. The respondents denied that there was any discrimination	 differentiation without basis and referred to the Report of the Third Pay Commission	 recommending different and low scales of pay for the 999 stenographers of the non participating attached and subordinate offices in comparison with those in the Central Secretariat. It was emphasised that the difference in the functional requirements of the work done was a point. In devising any scales of various posts/categories inter alia the degree of skill	 experience involved	 training required	 responsibility taken	 strain	 fatigue	 risk and confidentiality undertaken	 mental and physical requirements were the factors to be borne in mind. Dismissing the petition with an observation	 the Court	 ^ HELD: The petition had to be disposed of on the basis of the position prevailing prior to the report of the Fourth Pay Commission and its acceptance/implementation. [1007B] Equal pay for equal work is a fundamental right. But equal pay must depend upon the nature of the work done. It cannot be judged by the mere volume of work; there may be qualitative difference as regards reliability and responsibility. Functions may be the same but the responsibilities make a difference. Often the difference is a matter of degree and there is an element of value judgment by those who are charged with the administration in fixing the scales of pay and other conditions of service. So long as such value judgment is made bonafide	 reasonably on an intelligible criteria	 having a rational nexus with the object of differentiation	 such differentiation will not amount to discrimination. Equal pay for equal work is a concomitant of Article 14 of the Constitution. But it follows that equal pay for unequal work will be a negation of that right. [1009A C] Differentiation in implementing the award or the recommendations of Pay Commission without rational basis may amount to discrimination. However	 in this case	 there is an element of faith	 reliability and responsibility and the functional responsibilities and the requirements of persons doing the same amount of physical work may be different in some cases	 depending upon the officers with whom the stenographers and personal assistants are attached. The basic principles on which differentiation would not amount to discrimination	 violative of Article 14 or Article 16(1) of the Constitution are well settled. Article 14 strikes at the arbitrariness in State action and ensures fairness and equality of treatment. It is attracted where equals are treated differently without any reasonable basis. Equal laws must be applied equally and there should be no discrimination between one person and another if as regards the subject matter of either administrative action or legislation	 their position is substantially the same. Article 14 forbids 1000 class legislation but permits reasonable classification for the purpose of legislation or administrative mandate. The classification must	 however	 be founded on an intelligible basis which distinguishes persons or things grouped together from those left out of the group and that differentia must have a rational nexus with the object to be achieved by the differentiation made in the statute or order in question. There ought to be causal connection between the basis of classification and the object of classification. The observations of the Constitution Bench of this Court in D.S. Nakara & Ors. vs Union of India	 ; may be seen in this connection. [1011B G] In this case	 differentiation had been sought to be justified in view of the nature and the types of the work done	 that is	 on intelligible basis. The same amount of physical work may entail different quality of work	 some more sensitive	 some requiring more tact	 some less it varies with nature and culture of employment. The problem about equal pay cannot always be translated into a mathematical formula. If it has a rational nexus with the object to be sought for a certain amount of value judgment of the administrative authorities charged with fixing the pay scale has to be left with them and it cannot be interfered with by the Court unless it is demonstrated that either it is irrational or based on no basis or arrived at mala fide either in law or fact. In the light of the averments made and in the facts of this case	 it was not possible to say that the differentiation was based on no rational nexus with the object sought to be achieved. This application must fail and was dismissed. This	 however	 would not in any way prevent or prejudice the Government from reviewing the situation in the light of the report of the Fourth Pay Commission or any other appropriate body	 if any	 with such modification as the Government and the authorities concerned considered fit and proper. [1013G H;1014A D] Purshottam Lal & Ors. vs Union of India & Anr. 	 ; Laljee Dubey & Ors. vs Union of India & Ors. 	 ; Randhir Singh vs Union of India & Ors.	 ; ; D.S. Nakara & Ors. vs Union of India	 ; ; P.K. Ramachandra Iyer & Ors. vs Union of India & Ors. 	 ; ; Delhi Vetrinary Association vs Union of India & Ors.	 ; ; P. Savita vs Union of India & Ors.	 [1985] Suppl. 1 SCR 101; Surinder Singh and Anr. vs Engineer in chief	 C.P.W.D. & Ors. 	 ; Frank Anthony Public School Employees ' Association vs Union of India & Ors.	 ; ; Dhirendra Chamoli & Anr. vs State of U.P.	 ; Union of India & Anr. vs R.G. Kashikar & Anr.	 AIR 1986 SC 431; M.P. Singh Deputy Superintendent of Police	 1001 C.B.I. and Ors.v. Union of India & Ors.	 J.T. and M/s. Mackinnon Mackenzie & Co. Ltd. vs Audrey D 'Costa & Anr.	 SLP (Civil) No. 1265/87 decided on March 26	 1987	 referred to.