State of
U.P. & Ors Vs. J.P. Chaurasia &
Ors [1988] INSC 306 (27
September 1988)
Shetty,
K.J. (J) Shetty, K.J. (J) Oza, G.L. (J)
CITATION:
1989 AIR 19 1988 SCR Supl. (3) 288 1989 SCC (1) 121 JT 1988 (4) 53 1988 SCALE
(2)827
CITATOR
INFO : R 1989 SC 29 (3) R 1989 SC 30 (3) F 1989 SC1256 (8) R 1989 SC1287 (8) F
1989 SC1308 (12) D 1990 SC 334 (40,41) F 1990 SC 883 (9) RF 1990 SC2021 (7) F
1992 SC 126 (7) RF 1992 SC1203 (11)
ACT:
Allahabad
High Court Officers and staff (Conditions of Service and Conduct) Rules 1975:
Rule Whether it is permissible to have two pay scales in the same cadre for
persons having same responsibilities-Whether that is violative of
constitutional right of "equal pay for equal work".
%
Articles 14 and 39(d)--'Equal pay for equal work'-- Concept of--Whether
permissible to have two pay scales in same cadre for persons having same duties
and responsibilities--Question of pay and equation of posts-- Must be left to
the Executive Government--To be determined by expert bodies like Pay Commission.
HEAD NOTE:
Prior
to 1955, the Bench Secretaries in the Allahabad High Court were on a higher pay
scale than that of the Section Officers. In 1965, the State Government
appointed a Pay Rationalisation Committee to consider the duties and responsibilities
of different categories of posts and recommend changes. The Committee
recommended for the Bench Secretaries a pay-scale lower than that of the
Section Officers. The Bench Secretaries made a representation to the Government
that they be put at par with the Section Officers if not on a higher scale.
The
Government appointed Pay Commission (l971-72). The Pay Commission did not
accept the claim of the Bench Secretaries. The Bench Secretaries again moved
the Government reiterating their demand, whereupon an "Anomalies
Committee" was constituted. The Committee rejected the claim of the Bench
Secretaries for placing them at par with the Section Officers, but suggested
that ten posts of Bench Secretaries be upgraded. The Government accepted the recommendation
and issued orders upgrading ten posts of Bench Secretaries to be called Bench
Secretaries grade I, giving the nomenclature of Bench Secretaries grade Il to
the rest of Secretaries. The Bench Secretaries grade II moved the High Court
under Article 226 of the Constitution, challenging the bifurcation of their
cadre into grade I & grade 11. The High Court quashed the notification
which created Bench Secretaries grade 1. The State of l,'.P., aggrieved by the
decision of the High Court, appealed to this Court.
PG NO
288 PG NO 289 Two questions arose for consideration (i) whether the Bench
Secretaries were entitled to pay-scales admissible to Section officers, and
(11) whether the creation of two grades with different pay scales in the cadre
of Bench Secretaries doing the same or similar work was violative of the
"equal pay for equal work".
Allowing
the appeal, the Court,
HELD:(I)
It requires of duties and responsibilities of the respective posts. Functions
of two posts may appear to be the same or similar, but there may be a
difference in the performance. Quantity of work may be the same but quality may
be different. The equation of posts of equation of pay must be determined by
expert bodies, like pay commissions.
If
there is any determination by a Commission or Committee, the Court should
normally accept it and not tinker with it unless it is shown to be made with
extraneous consideration.
[298G-H;299A-B]
The Bench Secretaries were paid more emoluments than the section Officers, but
it was not known on what basis and how they were treated superior to Section
Officers. The Successive Pay Commission and the Pay Rationalisation Committee
found no support to their superior claim. The Court could not go against that
opinion. The Bench Secretaries could as of right the pay scale admissible to
the Section Officers. [299C-D]
(2)
The second question formulated affected the civil services in general. All the
Bench Secretaries concerned were indisputably having the same duties. They had
been bifurcated into two grades with different pay scales-grade I with higher
pay scale and grade II-which was said to offend the constitutional principle of
"equal pay for equal work".
[299E-G]
Article 39(d) of the Constitution, which proclaims "equal pay for equal
work" and other like provisions in the Directive Principles, are rooted in
Social Justice, intended to bring about a socio-economic trans-formation in
society.
In
matters of employment, it must be ensured that there is no exploitation of the
poor and ignorant. It is the duty of the State to see that the under-privileged
or weaker section get their dues. Against this background the principle of
"equal pay for equal work" has to be construed. This principle has no
mechanical application in every ca8e of similar work. It has to be read into
Article 14 of the Constitution, which permits reasonable classification founded
on different basis. [303C-E] PG NO 290 The classification can be based on some
qualities or characteristics of persons grouped together and not in others left
out. Those qualities or characteristics must have a reasonable relation to the
object to be achieved. In service matters, merit or experience could be the
proper basis for classification to promote efficiency. It cannot be denied that
the quality of work performed by persons of longer experience is Superior to the work of new-comers. Higher
pay scale to avoid stagnation or resultant frustration for lack of promotional evenues
is common in career service. Entitlement to higher pay-scales depends upon
seniority-cum-merit or merit-cum seniority. The differentiation so made in the
same cadre will not amount to discrimination. Classification based on
experience is a reasonable classification having a rational nexus with the
object thereof. To hold otherwise, would be detrimental to the interest of the
Service itself. [303F-H; 304A-B] The Bench Secretaries might do the same work,
but their quality of work might differ. The Rule framed by the Chief Justice of
the High Court make a proper classification for the purpose of entitlement to
higher pay scale. The High Court overlooked the criterion provided under the
Rules.
Merit
governs the grant of higher pay scale. Classification made under the Rules
could not be said to be violative of the right to have equal pay for equal
work. [305A-C] Randhir Singh v. Union of India & Ors., [1982] 3 SCR 298;Ram
Chandra v. Union of lndia, [1984] 2 SCC 141; P. Savita
v. Union of India, [1985] Suppl. (1) SCR 101; Dhirendra Chamoli & Anr. v.
State of U.P., [1986] 1 SCC 637; Surinder Singh v.
Engineer-in-Chief, CPWD, [1986] 1 SCC 639; R.D. Gupta & Ors. v. Lt.
Governor of Delhi, [1987] 4 SCC 505; Bhagwan Das
& Ors. v. State of Haryana, [1987] 4 SCC 634; National Museum Non-Gazetted Employees Association & Anr. v. Union of India, (WP No.
1230 of 1987 disposed of by the Supreme Court on 10.2.1988); Jaipal & Ors.
v. State of Haryana, (WP No. 455 and connected
petitions of 1987 disposed of by the Supreme Court on 2.6.1988); Y.K. Mehta v.
Union of India, (W P No. 1239 of 1979 and connected petitions disposed of bay
supreme Court on 26.8.1988); Keshavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, [1973] 4 SCC 225 at para 712; All India Customs and Central Excise
Stenographers (Recognised) and Others v. Union of India & Ors., [1988] (2)
Judgments Today SC p. 519, referred to.
CIVIL
APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeal No. 56 of 1987.
From
the Judgment and Order dated 6.11.85 of the Allahabad .RM60 PG NO 290 PG NO 291 High Court in W.P. (C) No. 4211 of 1983.
Gopal Subramanium
and Mrs. S. Dikshit for the Appellants.
Vijay Hansaria
and Sunil K. Jain for the Respondents.
The
Judgment of the Court was delivered by JAGANNATHA SHETTY, J. This appeal by
special leave is from a judgment of the High Court of Allahabad dated November 6, 1985 passed in Civil Misc. Writ Petition
No. 4211 of 1983. The appeal raises a question of considerable importance. The
question is whether it is permissible to have two pay scales in the same cadre
for persons having same duties and having same responsibilities. The High Court
has answered the question in the negative. It is said that it would be violative
of the Constitutional right of "equal pay for equal work".
The
facts are not in dispute. They will be found correctly stated in the judgment
under appeal and may briefly be stated thus:
Prior
to 1965, in the High Court of Allahabad, Bench Secretaries were on a higher pay
scale than that of Section Officers. They were in the pay scale of Rs. 160-320
as against the pay scale of Rs. 120-300 to Section Officers. In 1965 the State
Government appointed a Pay Rationalisation Committee with wide ranging
reference. The Committee was asked to consider the duties and responsibilities
of different categories of posts. It was required to consider and recommend
changes to reduce the number of then existing pay scales. It was also asked to
recommend as far as possible equal emoluments for identical duties and
responsibilities. The Committee submitted a detailed report, in which Bench
Secretaries became casualties. The Committee recommended for them a pay scale
slightly lower than that of Section Officers. Rs. 150-350 was recommended for
Bench Secretaries as against Rs.200-400 for Section Officers. The State
Government accepted the recommendations. Subsequently, these pay scales were
raised to Rs. 200-450 and Rs.5 15-715 respectively.
Being
dissatisfied with the down grading, the Bench Secretaries made representation
to the Government. They demanded that they should at least be put at par with
Section Officers if not on higher scale. The High Court supported their case
but half-heartedly. The High Court suggested "that in view of financial
exigencies the Government may grant for the time being pay scale to 10 PG NO
292 Bench Secretaries as admissible to Section Officers." When this matter
was pending consideration, the Government appointed the Pay Commission
(1971-72) headed by Shri Ali Zahir. On February 1, 1973, the Pay Commission submitted its
report. The report did not accept the claim of Bench Secretaries for giving
them pay scale equal to Section Officers or Private Secretaries. The report was
in fact very much against them. The following remarks of the Pay Commission
would be pertinent:
"9
Bench Secretaries (Sakna Suchiv) A memorandum from the Bench Secretaries given
to us states that the post which are at present in the scale of Rs. 100-450 are
of a great responsibility for which experience and special qualifications are
required. They have claimed that their duties are equivalent to Private
Secretaries of Hon'ble Judges and have demanded the same pay scale which is
given to Private Secretaries and the Section Officers. The Registrar of the
High Court while forwarding the memorandum has suggested that they should also
be given the same pay scale which is given to Superintendents i.e.
Rs.515-40-715 or to the Section Officers i.e. Rs.350-750. It is not necessary
to emphasise that in comparison to Bench Secretaries, the Section Officers of
the secretariat has to bear more responsibilities in their Section and have to
control over its subordinates. Section Officers have to prepare a lengthy and
original notes in complicated and important matters. Therefore, the
responsibilities of the two posts cannot be said to be equal. Keeping in view
the present scale of pay. the pay scale recommended by the Pay Rationalisation
Committee, the nature of duties and responsibilities and the fact that every Hon'ble
Judge will have one Private Secretary in the scale of Rs.500-1,000 we feel that
the Bench Secretaries cannot be given the same scale of pay which is being
given to Superintendents or the Section Officers. Since the Bench Secretaries
are promoted from Upper Division Assistants, they should feel satisfied if they
are placed in a scale of pay a little above the Upper Division Assistants.
Therefore, we have recommended for them a pay scale of
Rs.400-15-475-20-575-25-750." It will be seen that the Pay Commission
refused to equate Bench Secretaries with Section Officers in view of their
differential duties. It was found that the nature PG NO 293 of work of Section
Officers was quite different and more onerous than that of Bench Secretaries.
Section Officers have to bear more responsibilities in their Sections. They
have to exercise control over their subordinate. They have to prepare lengthy
original notes in complicated matters.
The
Commission, therefore, recommended Rs.400-750 for Bench Secretaries and Rs.500-
1,000 to Section Officers.
The
Bench Secretaries again moved the Government reiterating their demand. The
Government appears to have received several such representations against the
report of Ali Zahir Commission. To consider all such grievances. a Committee
called the "Anomalies Committee was constituted.
As the
name itself suggests, the Committee was required to examine and remove
anomalies in the recommendations of Pay Commission. The Committee appears to
have made some patch work. So far as Bench Secretaries are concerned, the
Committee suggested:
"(1)
For this post the recommendations made by the Pay Commission need not have any
amendments.
(2) It
should be appropriate for the Bench Secre-taries to accept 10 promotional posts
in the pay scale of Rs.500- 1,000 as recommended by the Pay Commission."
The Anomalies Committee also thus rejected the claim of Bench Secretaries for
placing them at par with Section Officers. It however, suggested that ten posts
of Bench Secretaries should be upgraded and placed in the pay scale of
Rs.500-1,000 The Government accepted that recommendation and issued an order
dated July 2,1976 The order inter alia states:
Judicial
(High Court) Section, Lucknow dated 2nd July, 1976.
Sub:
Implementation of decision and proposals of Sub Committee of the Cabinet
constituted to consider the anomalies pointed out in the pay scales recommended
by the U.P. Pay Commission ( 1971-73) and its way of removal and other
connected matters PG NO 294 Sir, In continuation of office memorandum No.P.C.
395- x-89(M)/74 dated 18th March, 1976 of the Finance (Pay Commission) Section
on the above subject, I have been directed to say that the Governor has been pleased
to sanc- tion the pay scales mentioned in Column 3 to 10 post holders under you
mentioned in column 2 in the table given below w.e.f. 1st October, 1975 with
this condition that as a result of sanction of this scale, the number of total
posts in the concerned cadre will not increase:
Sl.
Name Pay No. of No. of No. of Pay No.Of Scale Permanent Temporary Posts Scale
Post Post Posts in higher scale 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
1.
Bench Rs.400- 15-48 3 10 Rs.500-25- Secre- 475-EB--20- 700-EB-40- tary
575-EB-25- 900-EB-50- 750 1000
2. The
basic pay in the pay scale mentioned in aforesaid column 7 of the concerned
employee will be fixed according to the guiding principles of para 4 under
fundamental rule 22 of the Financial Handbook Part II Volume 2-4 and the appointments
in the pay scale of Rs.500-1000 will be made according to seniority subject to
unfit.
3. In
this connection, I have also been directed to say that the nomenclature of
posts of 10 Bench Secretaries appearing in column 5 of the said table shall be Bench
Secretaries Grade I and the nomenclature of rest Bench Secretaries of equal pay
scale will be Bench Secretaries Grade II and the posts of Bench Secretaries
Grade I and Grade II will be of the same duties and responsibilities.
Sd/- (Ramesh
Chandra Deo Sharma) PG NO 295 Joint Secretary" It was then the turn of
Bench Secretaries Grade II, They complained that there was no valid reason to
give higher pay scale only to ten Bench Secretaries and step-motherly treatment
to the rest of their colleagues. The High Court as usual supported their claim,
but the Government did not.
In
order to give effect to the said Government order the Chief Justice framed
rules called the Allahabad High Court Officers and Staff (Conditions of Service
and Conduct) Rules, 1976 ("The Rules ). The Rules were framed in exercise
of the powers conferred by Article 229(2) of the Constitution and brought into
force from July 13,1976.
There under
Bench Secretaries Grade I and Grade II were classified as Class II and Class
III posts respectively.
Rule
8(E) provides procedure for appointment of Bench Secretaries Grade II. It is by
selection through competitive examination to be conducted by appointing
authority.
Permanent
Upper Division Assistants and permanent Lower Division Assistants having not
less than ten years service are made eligible for selection. Preference shall
however, be given to candidates possession a Law Degree. Rule 16 provides that
the posts of Bench Secretaries Grade I shall be filled up by promotion from
amongst permanent Bench Secretaries Grade II. Rule 18 deals with method of
selection for all promotional posts. It shall be made by selection committee
appointed by the Chief Justice. The criterion of selection shall be merit with
due regard to seniority. The entitlement to higher pay scale of Grade I Bench
Secretary was therefore, not on the basis of seniority alone, but on the basis
of selection by merit-cum-seniority.
In
1979, the State Government appointed another Pay Commission. That Pay
Commission also did not disturb the categorisation of Bench Secretaries into
Grade I and Grade II.It however, gave marginal benefits by increasing the
number of posts of Grade I from 10 per cent to 30 per cent of the total cadre
strength. The reason given by the Pay Commission is as follows:
"Bench
Secretary 26.38 Fifty two posts of Bench Secretaries are in the pay scale of
Rs.400-750 and ten posts in the scale of Rs.500 1,000. For appointment on these
posts a limited competitive examination is held from amongst Upper Division Assistants,
PG NO 296 Lower Division Assistants with ten years of service preferably Law
Graduates. We have received a representation stating that the Bench Secretaries
play a very important role in smooth running of the proceedings of the Court.
The minimum pay scales of the Bench Secretaries is comparatively higher than
the pay scale of Upper Division Assistants though they are appointed through a
competitive examination. It is limited to only Upper Division Lower Division
Assistants of the High Court.
Keeping
in view the fact that vacancies in Upper Division/Lower Division Assistants are
filled up by promotion from Routine Grade Assistants, it is clear that this is
a second promotion for those who come directly from Lower Division Assistants
and a third promotion for those who are promoted first to Upper Division
Assistant and then a Bench Secretary. Even then we give importance to the fact
that only best from Upper Division/Lower Division Assistants are preferred for
the post. The work of the Bench Secretary is of a great importance. We,
therefore, recommend:
"(1)
30% of the total posts of Bench Secretaries in the pay scale of Rs.770-1000;and
(2) Two posts in the scale of Rs.1420-1900 as is admissible to Assistant
Secretaries of the Secretariat." Finally the Bench Secretaries Grade I
moved the High Court on judicial side with an application under Article 226 of
the Constitution. They challenged the validity of bifurcation of one cadre into
Grade I and Grade II. The sheet-anchor of their case was that in the same
category of posts with similar duties and responsibilities there cannot be two
grades with different pay scales. It would be violative of principles of equal
pay for equal work. It was also contended that Bench Secretaries was a well
recognised class that existed over the years and indeed superior to Section
Officers. Rejection of their demand for equating at least with Section Officers
would be ignoring that historical fact. The High Court accepted all these
contentions and granted the relief prayed for.
As to
the Pay Commission recommendations the High observed:
"Rejection
of petitioner's demand for equating them PG NO 297 at least with Section
Officers by comparing them with absence of administrative control exercised by
Section Officer in the Secretariat was ignoring history of Bench Secretaries
being a different class both before and after independence and the nature of
duties performed by them . " As to the decision of the Anomalies Committee
the High Court remarked:
"Curiously
enough when Anomaly Committee redressed the wrong by granting pay scale
equivalent to Section Officers, it created an artificial division by drawing a
line between first ten and others. A Bench Secretary or for that matter any
officer who puts in longer years of service gets more salary than his juniors
but if a senior performing the same duty as his juniors is put in different
higher scale then it results in invidious classification in the same group. And
that violates the concept of equality which visualises that whatever condition
are guaranteed and secured by law to one shall be guaranteed to owners who are
of the same group or class. It only denies enactment of a rule or law which
attempts to deal differently with persons situated similarly. The Government
order by which the classification was done itself provided that duty and
responsibility of Bench Secretary of Grade II be the same as of Grade I shall
be seniority. No other basic or qualification or test or be it was laid down.
The effect of the order was that those who were senior entered into an
altogether different Grade. That is senior Bench Secretary although doing the
same work as his junior became entitled to higher grade. And that clearly
violated the principle of equal pay for equal work." In support of these conclusions
the High Court relied upon two decisions of this Court:
[i] Randhir
Singh v. Union of India, [1982] 3 SCR 298 and
[ii]
P. Savita v. Union of India, [1985] Suppl. 1 SCR 101.
With
regard to rule framed by the Chief Justice for the purpose of promotion to
Bench Secretary Grade I, thee High Court said:
"Rules
were made not because the Court agreed with the classification of Bench
Secretaries in Group I and Group II PG NO 298 but because of the Government
order dated July 2, 1976. The vice is not in the method of selection but in
creation of two different groups without any intelligible differentia.
If
Bench Secretaries of Group I would have been required to do any work different
than Bench Secretaries Grade II, it could be described as promotional avenue.
Promotion from one post to another is associated with advancing to a higher
office, climbing one more ladder in service career. But the different grade for
persons of same even on seniority cum merit with same work and responsibility
cannot amount to promotion." With these conclusions, the High Court
quashed a part of the notification dated July 4, 1976 which created Bench
Secretaries Grade I. The High Court did not quash the Rules relating to
promotion to that cadre. The High Court directed that all Bench Secretaries
irrespective of their grades should be given the pay scale admissible to Bench
Secretaries Grade I with effect from October 1, 1975.
The
State of U.P. being aggrieved by the decision has appealed to this Court.
On the
submissions made by counsel on both sides, two questions arise for our
consideration:
(i)
Whether Bench Secretaries in the High Court of Allahabad are entitled to pay
scale admissible to Section Officers?; and
(ii)
Whether the creation of two Grades with different pay scales in the cadre of
Bench Secretaries who are doing the same or similar work is violative of the
right to have "equal pay for equal work"?
The
first question regarding entitlement to the pay scale admissible to Section
Officers should not detain us longer. The answer to the question depends upon
several factors. It does not just depend upon either the nature of work or
volume of work done by Bench Secre-taries. Primarily it requires among others. evaluation
of duties and responsibilities of the respective posts. More often functions of
two posts may appear to be the same or similar, but there may be difference in
degrees in the performance. The quantity of work may be the same, but quality
may be different that cannot be determined by PG NO 299 relying upon averments
in affidavits of interested parties.
The
equation of posts or equation of pay must be left to the Executive Government.
It must be determined by expert bodies like Pay Commission. They would be the
best judge to evaluate the nature of duties and responsibilities of posts.
If
there is any such determination by a Commission or Committee, the court should
normally accept it. The court should not try to tinker with such equivalence
unless it is shown that it was made with extraneous consideration.
In the
present case, it is true that at one time, Bench Secretaries were paid more
emoluments than Section Officers.
But it
is not known on what basis they were paid in the higher pay scale and treated
as a superior class to Section Officers. The Successive Pay Commissions and
even Pay Rationalisation Committee, however, found no support to their superior
claim. The Commissions and Committee have evaluated the respective duties and
responsibilities of the two posts. It was found that the Section Officers
perform onerous duties and bear greater responsibilities than Bench
Secretaries. We cannot go against that opinion and indeed, we must accept that
opinion. The Bench Secretaries, therefore, cannot claim as of right the pay
scale admissible to Section Officers.
The
second question formulated earlier needs careful examination. The question is
not particular to the present case. It is pertinent to all such cases. It is a
matter affecting the civil services in general. The question is whether there
could be two scales of pay in the same cadre of persons performing the same or
similar work or duties.
All
Bench Secretaries in the High Court of Allahabad are undisputedly having same
duties. But they have been bifurcated into two grades with different pay scale.
The Bench Secretaries Grade 1 are in a higher pay scale than Bench Secretaries
Grade II. The entitlement to higher pay scale depends upon selection based on
merit cum seniority.
Can it
be said that it would be violative of the right to equality guaranteed under
the Connstitution? It was argued for the respondents that it offends the
constitutional principle of "equal pay for equal work".
Several
decisions of this Court were relied upon in support of the proposition.
"Equal
pay for equal work for both men and women" has been accepted as a
"constitutional goal" capable of being achieved through
constitutional remedies. In Randhir Singh v. Union of India & Others [I982]
3 SCR 298 Chinnappa Reddy, J. said (at 304):
PG NO
300 "It is true that the principle of `equal pay for equal work' is not
expressly declared by our Constitution to be a fundamental right. But it
certainly is a constitutional goal. Art.39(d) of the Constitution proclaims
`equal pay for equal work for both men and women' as a Directive Principle of
State Policy. `Equal pay for equal work for both men and women' means equal pay
for equal work for every one and as beween the sexes.Directive Principles,as
has been pointed out in some of the judgments of this Court have to be read
into the fundamental rights as a matter of interpretation. Art. 14 of the
Constitution enjoins the State not to deny any person equality before the law
or the equal protection of the laws and Art. 16 declares that there shall be
equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or
appointments to any office under the State. These equality clauses of the
Constitution must mean something to every one. To the vast majority of the
people the equality clauses of the Constitution would mean nothing if they are
unconcerned with the work they do and the pay they get. To them the equality
clauses will have some substance if equal work means equal pay." The
learned Judge however, observed that a differential treatment in appropriate
cases can be justified when there are two grades based on reasonable grounds:
"It
is well known that there can be and there are different grades in a service,
with varying qualification for entry into a particular grade, the higher grade
often being a promotional avenue for officers of the lower grade.
The
higher qualifications for the higher grade, which may be either academic
qualifications or experience based on length of service reasonably sustain the
classification of the officers into two grades with different scales of pay.
The principle of equal pay for equal work would be an abstract doctrine not
attracting Art. 14 if sought to be applied to them." In Randhir Singh, the
petitioner was a driver-constable in the Delhi Police Force under the Delhi
Administration. It was found that the petitioner and the other drivers in the
Delhi Police Force per- formed the same functions and duties as other drivers
in the service of the Delhi Administration and the Central Government. Indeed,
by reason of their investiture with the 'powers, functions and privileges of PG
NO 301 a police officer', their duties and responsibilities were found to be
more arduous. It was also admitted by the Delhi Administration in that case
that the duties of driver constable of the Delhi Police Force were onerous.
Therefore, learned Judge said that there was no reason for giving them lower
scale of pay than other drivers. It was directed that the driver constables of
Delhi Police Force should be given the scale of pay at least on par with that
of drivers of the Railway Protection Force. The principle enunciated in Randhir
Singh was followed in Ramachandra v. Union of India, [1984] 2 SCC 141 and P. Savita
v. Union of India, [1985] Supp. I SCR 10l. In the former, the arbitrary
differential treatment in the pay scale accorded to some professors was struck
down. The petitioners therein were holding the posts of Professors in the
Indian Veterinary Research Institute under the Indian Council of Medical
Research. The pay scale of professors underwent revision. The new recruits got
the benefit of revision of scales, but not the petitioner. He was allowed to
continue in the old scale. He challenged that discrimination in this Court as
being violative of the right to have equal pay for equal work. This Court
accepted the contention and observed (page 163):
"The
case in hand is a glaring example of discriminat- tory treatment accorded to
old, experienced and highly qualified hands with an evil eye and unequal hand
and the guarantee of equality in all its pervasive character must enable this
Court to remove discrimination and to restore fair play in action. No attempt
was made to sustain the scales of pay for the post of Professor on the doctrine
of classification because the classification of existing incum- bents as being distinct
and separate from newly recruited hand with flimsy change in essential
qualification would be wholly irrational and arbitrary. The case of the
petitioners for being put in the revised scale of Rs. 1100-1600 from the date
on which newly created posts of Professors in sister disciplines in IVRI and
other institutes were created and filled-up in revised scale is unanswerable
and must be cunceded " In P. Savita v. Union of lndia, the artificial
division of senior draftsmen in the Ministry of Defence Production with unequal
scales of pay for the same work was struck down.
In Dhirendra
Chamoli and Anr. v. State of U.P., [1986] 1 SCC 637, this Court found fault
with the Central Government for not giving the casual workers engaged in Nehru Yuvak
the same salary and conditions of service as enjoyed by class IV employees
regularly appointed against sanctioned posts. It was observed (at 628):
PG NO
302 "It must be remembered that in this country where there is so much unemployment,the
choice for the majority of people is to starve or to take employment on
whatever exploitative terms are offered by the employer. The fact that these
employees accepted employment with full knowledge that they will be paid only
daily wages and they will not get the same salary and conditions of service as
other class IV employees, cannot provide an escape to the Central Government to
avoid the mandate of equality enshrined in Art. 14 of the Constitution. This
article declares that there shall be equality before law and equal protection
of the law and implicit in it is the further principle that there must be equal
pay for work of equal value. These employees who are in the service of the
different Nehru Yuvak Kendras in the country and who are admittedly performing
the same duties as Class IV employees, must therefore get the same salary and
conditions of service as Class IV employees. It makes no difference whether
they are appointed in sanctioned posts or not. So long as they are performing
the same duties, they must receive the same salary and conditions of service as
class IV employees." In Surinder Singh v. Engineer-in-Chief, CPWD, [1986]
1 SCC 639, the case of poor daily wage workers employed for serveral years by
the Central Public Works Department CPWD came up for consideration before this
Court. They demanded parity in their wages, and allowances with those of
regular and permanent employees of the Department on the basis of performing
similar work. This Court while granting relief to the workmen observed (at 642)
:
"The
Central Government, the State Government and likewise, all public sector
undertakings are expected to function like model and enlightened employers and
arguments such as those which were advanced before us that the principle of
equal pay for equal work is an abstract doctrine which cannot be enforced in a
court of law should ill come from the mouths of the State and State
Undertakings." PG NO 303 The right to have equal pay for equal work was
also accepted-by this Court in R. D. Gupta and Others v. Lt. Governor of Delhi,
[1987] SCC 505; Bhagwan Dass and Others v. State of Haryana, [1987] 4 SCC 634; National Museum Non- Gazetted Employees Association and Anr. v. UOI, WP No.
1230 of 1987 disposed of dt. 10.2.1988; Jaipal and Ors. v. State of Haryana, WP No. 455 and connected petitions
of 1987 of DD 2.6.1988 and Y.K. Mehta v. UOI, WP No. 1239 of 1979 and connected
petitions DD 26.8.1988.
Article
39(d) of the Constitution proclaims "equal pay for equal work" . This
article and other like provisions in the Directive Principles are
"conscience of our Constitution." They are rooted in social justice.
They were intended to bring about a socio-economic transformation in our
society. As observed by Hegde and Mukherjee, JJ. in Keshavananda Bharati v.
State of Kerala, [1973] 4 SCC 225 at para 712:
"The Constitution seeks to fulfil the basic needs of the common man and to
change the structure of society." In the words of Shelat and Grover, JJ
(at para 596): "The dominent objective in view was to ameliorate and
improve the lot of the common man and to bring about a socio economic
justice." In matters of employment the Government of a socialist State
must protect the weaker sections. It must be ensured that there is no
exploitation of poor and ignorant. It is the duty of the State to see that the
under- privileged or weaker sections get their dues. Even if they have
voluntarily accepted the employment on unequal terms, the State should not deny
their basic rights of equal treatment. It is against this background that the
principle of "equal pay for equal work has to be construed in the first
place. Second, this principle has no mechanical application in every case of
similar work. It has to be read into Art. l4 of the Constitution. Art. l4
permits reasonable classification founded on different basis. It is now well
established that the classification can be based on some qualities or
characteristics of persons grouped together and not in others who are left out.
Those qualities or charcteristics must, of course, have a reasonable relation
to the object sought to be achieved. In service matters, merit or experience
could be the proper basis for classification to promote efficiency in
administration. He or she learns also by experience as much as by other means.
It
cannot be denied that the quality of work performed by persons of longer
experience is superior than the work of newcomers. Even in Randhir Singh 's
case, this principle has been recognised. O. Chinnappa Reddy, J. observed that
the classification of officers into two grades with different scales of pay
based either on academic qualification or experience on length of service is
sustainable. Apart from that, higher pay scale to avoid stag PG NO 304 nation
or resultant frustration for lack of promotional avenues is very common in
career service. There is selection grade for District Judges. There is senior
time scale in Indian Administrative Service. There is super time scale in other
like services. The entitlement to these higher pay scales depends upon
seniority-cum-merit or merit-cum- seniority. The differentiation so made in the
same cadre will not amount to discrimination. The classification based on
experience is a reasonable classification. It has a rational nexus with the
object thereof. To hold otherwise, it would be detrimental to the interest of
the service itself.
In All
lndia Customs and Central Excise Stenographers Recognised) and Others v. Union
of India and Others, [1988] 2 Judgments Today SC p. 5 19, Sabyasachi Mukherjee,
J. said:
"There
may be qualitative difference as regards relia- bility 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 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." And said:
"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 reiterated before a certain amount of value judgment of the
administrative authorities who are charged with fixing the pay scales 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." PG NO 305 In the present case, all Bench
Secretaries may do the same work, but their quality of work may differ. Under
the rules framed by the Chief Justice of the High Court, Bench Secretaries
Grade I are selected by a Selection Committee.
The
selection is based on merit with due regard to seniority. They are selected
among the lot of Bench Secretaries Grade II. When Bench Secretaries Grade II
acquire experience and also display more merit, they are appointed as Bench
Secretaries Grade I. The rules thus make a proper classification for the
purpose of entitlement to higher pay scale. The High Court has completely
overlooked the criterion provided under the Rules The merit governs the grant
of higher pay scale and that merit will be evaluated by a competent authority.
The classification made under the Rules, therefore, cannot be said to be violative
of the right to have equal pay for equal work.
After
the argument was concluded in this appeal, counsel on both sides brought to our
attention that the State Government has granted uniform pay scale of Rs.1600-
2950 to both the grades of Bench Secretaries with effect from January 1, 1986. We may make it clear that this
decision of ours shall not affect the Bench Secretaries to get that pay scale
accordingly with effect from January 1, 1986.
In the
result, we allow the appeal and set aside the judgment of the High Court.
S.L.
Appeal allowed.
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