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Judgment
Rajesh Tandon, J.—Heard Shri Manoj Tiwari learned Counsel for the petitioner and Standing Counsel for the respondents.
By the present writ petition the petitioners have prayed for the issue of a writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus commanding the respondents to sanction the pay scale of Rs. 7500-1200/- on the post of Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools/Assistant Basic Education Officer and the corresponding higher pay scale to the post of Deputy Basic Education Officer on the term identical to as contained in Government Order dated 20.12.2001.
Brief facts giving rise to the present writ petition are that the petitioner No. 1 was initially appointed as Assistant Teacher in Jagannath Madhyamik Vidvalaya, Chaupata on 1.7.74 and then he was promoted as Headmaster, Junior High School w.e.f., 1.7.77 and ultimately he was promoted as Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools under 10% quota w.e.f., 6.11.89 and presently he is working in Ramnagar, District Nainital.
Petitioner No. 2 was initially appointed as Assistant Teacher in Government Model School. Bhimtal w.e.f., 22.10.1970, subsequently he was promoted as Headmaster of Government Model School, Bhimtal w.e.f., 30.5.82 and ultimately he was promoted as Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools under 10% promotion quota w.e.f., 19.11.1987 and presently he is serving as Assistant Basic Education Officer in Block Syaldey.
Petitioner No. 3 was appointed by direct recruitment through Commission on the post of Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools w.e.f., 2.1.1989 and now presently she is serving as Deputy inspector of Schools in Block Bhimtal, District Nainital.
Petitioner No. 4 was appointed on the post of Supervisor in Department of Non-Formal Education w.e.f., 17.10.1987. In the year 1989, pursuant to Government decision, the post of Supervisor was upgraded, as Project Officer and the petitioner No. 4 became Project Officer. In the year 2001 all Project Officers serving in the Department of Non-Formal Education was absorbed on the post of Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools. Before her absorption, the petitioner No. 4 was getting the salary of Rs. 6500-10500/-. Petitioner No. 5 was initially appointed as Assistant Teacher in Junior High School, Deshlekh, Pithoragarh w.e.f.; 20.2.1982 and then he was promoted as Headmaster. Junior High School w.e.f. 1.10.1982 and then he was promoted as Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools'' under 10% promotion quota and the petitioner No. 6 was appointed on the post of Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools by direct recruitment through Public Service Commission w.e.f., 16.1.1978 and then he was promoted as Deputy Basic Education Officer w.e.f., 14.11.88 and he is presently working in the District Nainital.
At the time of admission following order was by this Court :--
"Heard.
Learned Standing Counsel has submitted that the matter of grant of revised pay scale to the Sub-Deputy Inspector is under consideration of the State Government learned Standing Counsel has prayed two months time to take decision in the matter.
Six weeks time is granted to the respondents to take decision in the matter of revised pay scale to Sub-Deputy Inspector.
List this case after six weeks."
Nothing was brought to the notice of the Court regarding any decision to be taken in pursuance of the interim order dated 1.7.2003.
The post of Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools initially carried the pay scale of Rs. 120-200 w.e.f., 1943 which was revised w.e.f., 1955 to the level of Rs. 120-300 w.e.f., 1965 to the level of Rs. 150-350 w.e.f., from 1972 to the level of Rs. 325-575 w.e.f., 1.7.1979 to the level of Rs. 540-910 w.e.f., 1.1.1986 to the level of Rs. 1400-2300 and w.e.f., 1.1.1996 to the level of Rs. 4500-7000 and the Assistant Basic Shiksha Adhikari also carries the same pay scale as that mentioned in the above paragraph.
The petitioner has referred Subordinate Education (Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools) Service Rules, 1992. Where the status of the service known as Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools has been defined Rule 2 provides as under :--
"Status of the Service.--The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Education Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools Service is a Subordinate Education Service Comprising Group ''C'' posts."
Part II of the aforesaid Rule provides cadre of service to the following effect:--
"Cadre of Service.--(1) The strength of the service and of each category, of posts therein shall be such as may be determined by the Government from time to time.
(2) The strength of the service and of each category of posts therein shall. until order s varying the same are passed under Sub-rule (1), be as given in the Appendix :
Provided that--
(i) the Appointing Authority may leave unfilled or the Governor may hold in abeyance any vacant post, without thereby entitling any person to compensation; or
(ii) the Governor may create such additional permanent or temporary posts as he may consider proper."
Part III defines Source of Recruitment Rule 5 provides as under :--
"Source of Recruitment.--Recruitment to the various categories of posts in the service shall be made the following sources :
(1) 10 percent by direct recruitment through Selection Committee from amongst such head masters/head mistress as have complete ten years service on their respective posts on the first day of the year of recruitment;
(2) 80 percent by direct recruitment through the Commission;
(3) 10 percent by promotion through the Selection Committee from amongst qualified extension teachers and craft teachers working in C.T. Grade and appointed under Reorientation Scheme on or before April 11, 1980."
As will appear from aforesaid Rules containing recruitment of 10% by way of Direct Recruitment through Selection Committee from amongst such Head Masters/Head Mistress as have completed 10 years of service from respective posts. Sub-rule (2) of Rule 5 relates to the direct recruitment from the Commission. Sub-rule (3) provides a quota of 10% to promotion from the Selection Committee from amongst qualified teachers and craft teachers working in C.T. Grade Reorientation Scheme on or before April 11, 1980.
As will appear from Rule 5 that head masters/head mistress have to be promoted in L.T. Cadre to the extent of 10% for the appointment of Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools. Counsel for the petitioner, has submitted that the posts of Head Master of Junior High School initially carried a pay scale of Rs. 175 with effect from 1945 but gradually the Selection Grade was given by way of revision by the Government on 20.12.2001 and now the pay scale is of Rs. 6500-10500. The chart has been submitted, the same is quoted below :--
As effective from Pay scale appli- Pay scale Pay scale cable to the post applicable to the applicable to the of Sub-Deputy post of Sub- post of Head Inspector of Deputy Inspector Master of Junior Schools/Assistant of Schools/ High School. Basic Shiksha Assistant Basic Adhikari Shiksha Adhikari 1945 Rs. 120-200 Rs. 300-350 Rs. 75-175 1955 Rs. 120-300 Rs. 250-500 Rs. 100-200 1965 Rs. 250-350 Rs. 250-600 Rs. 100-250 1972 Rs. 325-575 Rs. 450-950 Rs. 240-390 1.7.1979 Rs. 540-910 Rs. 770-1600 Rs. 490-860 1.1.1986 Rs. 1400-2300 Rs. 2000-3500 Rs. 1450-2300 1.1.1996 Rs. 4500-7000 Rs. 6500-10500 Rs. 4625-7000 1.7.2001 Not revised Not revised Rs. 6500-10500
Counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the pay scale of the posts of Head Master of Junior High School was recovered by the Government Order 20.12.2001. The pay scale of Assistant Teacher was also revised in C.T. Grade to the extent of Rs. 5500-9000. It has also been remembered that the C.T. Grade has merged in L.T. Grade and the promotional pay scale was fixed by the G.O. dated 20.7.2001. L.T. Grade Teachers are getting the promotional pay scale of Rs. 7500-12000.
Counsel for the petitioner has submitted Sub-Deputy Inspector of School is also exercising the administrative control over Junior High School and he is also exercising the following administrative function over Headmaster of Junior High School. The same are quoted below :--
(a) Transfer within the Block.
(b) Sanctioning Authority for all types of leave subject to a maximum leave of 42 days.
(c) Preparation and presentation of salary bill.
(d) Maintenance of Service Book and Character Rolls and anomalies existing therein.
(e) Panel inspection and regular inspection of teaching/administrative work,
(f) Preparation of seniority list at the Block Level.
(g) Preparation and presentation of papers pertaining to Pension/Provident Fund/Group Insurance.
(h) Recommendation of selection quota/promotion pay scale,
(i) Initiation of departmental action.
In order to justify the aforesaid administrative functions the petitioner has referred the G.O. dated 10th May, 1986 to the following effect :--
The petitioners have also referred regarding the report of the Bajaj Committee for reconsidering the pay scale as well as the Sub-Committee, which was constituted by the State Government 17.11.1997 for considering the revision of the pay scale of teachers. The petitioners have stated that they have also made their objection for revision of the pay scale but of no avail and as such anomally has been created by the Government by creating a disparity in the pay scale of Headmasters and Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools. Counsel for the petitioner has referred Paragraph 42 of the writ petition. The same is quoted below :--
Paragraph 42. "That it may be stated that the successor State of U.P. has also issued G.O. dated 20.7.2001 whereby pay scale for Rs. 6500-10500 has been sanctioned to Headmaster of Junior High Schools and they have been sanctioned selection grade of pay in the scale of Rs. 7500-12000/-. Subsequently another Government "Order dated 3.9.2001 was issued by Government of U.P. Whereby Headmasters, Junior High School where sanctioned promotion pay scale of Rs. 8000-13500/-. The Sub-Deputy Inspector or Schools deposit holding a promotional post were sanctioned scale of Rs. 4500-7000 and thus the said Government Orders had created a disparity. Ultimately the Association of Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools serving in U.P, filed Writ Petition No. 675 of 2002, seeking a direction to the authorities to sanction the pay scale of Rs. 7500-12000 to the post of Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools/Assistant Basic Education Officer and the corresponding higher pay scale to the post of Deputy Basic Education Officer on term identical to as contained in Government Order dated 20.7.2001."
Paragraph 42 of the writ petition has not been specifically denied by the State in his counter affidavit. In Paragraph 18 of the counter affidavit it has "been stated as under :--
"That the contents of Paras 42 and 43 of the writ petition, which relate to the Government Order dated 20.7.2001 issued by the State of Uttar Pradesh and also the Writ Petition No. 675 of 2002, filed before the Hon''ble Allahabad High Court and the judgment dated 6.5.2002 passed therein are matters of record and need no reply from the answering respondents."
However in Paragraph 7 of the counter affidavit this fact has been admitted that the pay scales of the teacher including the Headmasters of Junior High School was revised on 1.7.2001. Relevant paragraph to that effect is quoted below :--
Paragraph-7.--"That in reply to the contents of Paragraph 16 of the writ petition, it is stated that the pay scales of the teachers including the Headmasters of the Junior High Schools have been revised w.e.f., 1.7.2001 keeping in view the recommendations made by the Samata Samiti specifically constituted for the purpose. It may be reiterated that since 1.1.1986 the pay scale of a Headmaster of Junior High School has been higher that the pay scale of Sub-Deputy Inspector. Teachers including Head Masters and Sub-Deputy Inspectors and Deputy Inspectors are personnels belonging to two different branches and they also discharge distinctly different types of work and duties. It may not be out of place to point out here that in administrative side of the Education Department Promotion of an incumbent does not necessarily mean enhancement in remuneration etc. For instance the promotional post of D.I.O.S. is the Deputy Director of Education though the two posts carry the same pay scale". It may also not be out of place to state here that the pay scale of Principal of a Grant-in-Aid Intermediate College is equal to the pay scale of D.I.O.S. So far as the eligibility for appointment as Sub-Deputy Inspector is concerned, against 10% of the vacancies Head Masters/Mistresses of the Junior High Schools are admittedly in the zone of consideration. But at the same time it cannot Be disputed that on promotion on the post of the Sub-Deputy Inspector the status of a Head Master of Junior High School does not remain the same. This probably has been one of the reasons for non-parity in two scales."
The petitioner has filed a rejoinder affidavit and has produced order of Upper Shiksha Nideshak dated 25.2.2003 by which the recommendation has been made for bringing a pay scale of the petitioner at par with Headmaster. The proposal is described below :--
In reply to the show cause notice, to the respondents have brought to the notice that the Sub-Inspector of Junior High School are not covered under the recommendation of the 5th Pay Commission.
As already pointed out that in accordance with the recruitment rule 10% of the quota are being filled up by promotion amongst Headmasters and as such the petitioners cannot be deprived from the revision of their pay scales in accordance with proposed scheme dated 25.2.2003.
In Uttar Pradeshiya Vidyalaya Nirikshak Sangh and Others Vs. State of U.P. and Others, . The Division Bench of the Allahabad High Court as held as under :--
Paragraph-9.--"A counter affidavit has been filed by the respondents and we have perused the same. It is stated in Paragraph 3 of the counter affidavit mat while the pay scale of teachers was revised by G.O. dated 20.7.2001 no decision was taken with regard to the pay scale of Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools/Assistant Basic Shiksha Adhikari and Deputy Basic Shiksha Adhikari. There is no denial that the pay scale of Head Master was earlier lower than that of the petitioners, but now it has become higher. In Paragraph 16 of the counter affidavit, it is stated that the Director, Basic Education has sent this recommendation regarding these anomalies to the State Government."
Paragraph-10.--"We have also perused the rejoinder affidavit. It appears that by G.O. dated 20.7.2001, the pay scale of Head Master of the Junior High School and other teachers in Junior High School has been brought at par with the Central Government employees but no corresponding revision was effected in the case of the petitioners. Hence we are satisfied that there is discrimination against the petitioners and anomalies in this regard. The petitioners are in fact supervising the work of Head Masters of Junior High School and they were getting higher pay scale before the pay scale of Head Master of the Junior High School was revised on 20.7.2001 the pay scale of the petitioners should have been simultaneously revised. The grievance of the petitioners is, hence fully justified."
Paragraph-11.--"In view of the above discussion, the writ petition is allowed. A mandamus is issued to the respondents to grant to the Sub-Deputy Inspector/Assistant Basic Shiksha Adhikaries and Deputy Basic Shiksha Adhikaries forthwith the pay scales as prayed for in the petition. A further mandamus is issued to the respondent to consider grant to the petitioners of higher pay scales than that of Head Master of Junior High School, since they were enjoying higher pay scale before 20.7.2001."
In the light of the aforesaid facts and circumstances a writ of mandamus is issued directing the respondents for considering the pay scale of the Sub-Deputy Inspector/Assistant Basic Shiksha Adhikari and Deputy Basic Shiksha Adhikari forthwith in accordance with the proposal dated 25.2.2003.
The writ petition is allowed. There will be no order as to costs.