Parmananda
Das Vs. State of Orissa & Ors [1997] INSC 674 (21 August 1997)
SUJATA
V. MANOHAR, M. JAGANNADHA RAO
ACT:
HEADNOTE:
THE
21ST DAY OF AUGUST, 1997 Present:
Hon'ble
Mrs. Justice Sujata V. Manohar Hon'ble Mr. Justice M. Jagannadha Rao Ms. Lata Krishnamurthi,
Adv. (NP), Vinoo Bhagat, C.S.S.Rao, J.P.Mishra, S.C.Patel, Advs. for the
appellants.
Jana Kalyan
Das, (Dr. Maya Rao and P.N.Mishra) Advs. (NP), Ms. Kirti Mishra, Raj Kr. Mehta,
Advs. for the Respondents.
Sibo Shankar
Mishra and Uma Nath Singh, Advs. for the intervenor in C.A.No. 5689-5711/97
The
following Judgment of the Court was delivered:
With C.A.No.
8404-8408\95 C.A.No.5689-5711\97 @ SLP (C) No.22941-22963\94
C.A.No.5712-5715\97 @ SLP (c) No. 12054-12057\95 C.A.No.5716-5718\97 @ SLP (C)
no. 14273-75\95 C.A.No.5719\97 @ SLP (C) No. 8676\96 C.A.No.5720-21\97 @ SLP(c)
No. 12960-61\96 C.A.No.5722\97 @ SLP (C) No. 23351\94 C.A.No.5723-5727\97 @ SLP
(C) No. 48-52\95 C.A.No.5728-30\97 @ SLP (C) No. 53-55\95 C.A.No.5731-34\97 @
SLP (C) No. 6399-6402\95
M.
JAGANNADHA RAO, J.
Leave
granted in the SLPs.
These
appeals are all connected and can be disposed of together. All the appeals
except two (Civil Appeals arising out of SLP No. 8676 of 1996 and 12960-61 of
1996 are filed against the order of the Orissa Administrative Tribunal dated
3.10.1994 in O.A. 343 of 1994 and batch. The two SLPs, referred to above arise
out of an order dated 16.2.1995 in O.A. 315 of 1995 and 335 of 1995. C.A. 7155\1993 arises out of judgment in OA 631\1991
dated 10.10.1992.
We shall
set out the facts in the civil Appeals arising out of SLPs No. 22941-63/94
These SLPs are filed against orders of the Full Bench of the Orissa
Administrative Tribunal in OA No. 343\1994. By the said, the Full Bench of the
Tribunal agreed with the views expressed by the Division Bench of the Tribunal
in the referring Order dated 2.5.1994 and observed that the views expressed by
an earlier Division Bench in OA No. 647\1992 that the Government letter dated
13.3.1992 had materially changed the earlier Government decision dated 132.1991
"without any sense or basis" and that the later letter was in
conflict with the former and should not be given effect, was not correct, in as
much as no conflicting features were brought to the notice of the Full Bench.
These appeals before us are by the trained matric Assistant teachers in primary
schools in Orissa (District wise) and the contesting parties are the non- matric
Assistant teachers. The contest is in regard to inter se-seniority between them
and promotion as head Pandits in each District.
Initially,
matric and non-matric candidates with 2 years elementary training were being
appointed as Assistant Teachers in Non-Government primary schools (Lower
primary and Upper primary schools). The senior-most Assistant teachers were
being posted as Head Pandits or Head Masters in the said schools on payment of
extra-allowance of Rs.2/- in addition to the regular salary of an Assistant
teacher.
By
1969, in several of these schools, the non-matric trained Assistant teachers were
working as Head Pandits/Head Masters because of their seniority. This position
continued even after the recommendation of the 4th pay Committee in 1974.
Government
of Orissa issued Resolution dated 23.7.1983 laying down certain principles for
promotion to the post of Head Pandits. Each District was to be a separate unit
both in the cadre of Assistant Teacher and of Head pandits.
Clause
No. (iv) of the principles said:
"(iv)
- Promotion should be strictly on the basis of training, seniority and
suitability.' In other words, for purpose of promotion, no distinction was to
be made on the ground that an Assistant Teacher was a matric or non-matric.
There is no quarrel about this principle by the non-matric Assistant teachers.
The
grievance of these teachers was mainly in regard to Clauses (ix) and (x).
Clause (ix) said :
The
trained Matric Asstt. teachers promoted to the post of Head Pandit should be
posted to schools having three or more teachers and the non- matric trained
teachers promoted as Head Pandits be posted to schools having two teachers.
Clause
(x) said :
The
trained matric teachers and trained non-matric teachers promoted to the posts
of Head Pandits should be allowed the scales of Rs. 320-560/- and Rs. 300-470/-
respectively.
These
clauses (ix) and (x) created distinction between matric and non-matric in the
matter of promotion as Head pandits and in the matter of scales of pay.
Therefore, the non-matrics approached the High Court of orissa in O.J.C. No.
2102 of 198. However, to redress the grievance regarding clause (ix) the
Government came forward, during the pendency of the case, with Resolution on
25.6.1988 omitting clause (ix) from the earlier Resolution. The result was that
the distinction in regard to promotion as Head pandits between matrics and non-matrics
came to be removed. In the High Court, the grievance regarding clause (x)
relating to pay scale alone remained. The High Court disposed of the case
relying on the above-said Resolution dated 25.6.1988, which had removed the
disparity in the matter of promotion, and other factors and struck down clause
(x) relating to the disparity in pay scales, by Judgment dated 12.5.1989. Thus
both clause (ix) and (x) came to be removed.
But
between 1983 and 25.6.1988, in as much as at that time, due to clause (ix)
there was a distinction in the matter of promotion as head Pandits between matric
and non- matrict teachers, the Department was having, in each District,
separate lists of matric teachers. This aspect was emphasised in the
proceedings of the Directorate of Elementary and Adult Education dated
30.3.1987. It was stated that the Government had by a resolution dated
13.1.1987 upgraded 7169 posts of trained Non-Matric Primary Teachers to those
of Head pandits in the scale of Rs. 480- 1240 (in 2 teacher schools) and 14,246
posts of trained Matric Primary School teachers to that of Head Pandits in the
scale of 840-1345 ( in 3 or more teacher schools) during 1986-87. It was
further stated that in view of the principles laid down in Government
resolution dated 28.7.1983 the matric trained teachers be posted as head Pandits
in the scale of 840-1345 in primary schools with 3 or more teachers while non-matric
trained teaches are to be posted as head pandits in the scale 840-1240 in
schools with 2 teachers. This resolution dated schools with 2 teachers.
This
resolution dated 30.3.1987 resulted in preparation of 2 separate lists of matric
and non - matric teachers before the passing of resolution dated 25.6.1988
which removed the distinction in matters of promotion.
Though
the distinction between the matric teachers and non-matric teachers stood
removed, in the matter of posting as head Pandits from 25.6.1988 (and
consequently in the matter of scales on 12.5.1989 by the Court Judgment), there
was delay in the implementation of this decision of 25.6.1988. It was only on
21.12.1990 by another resolution, that Government modified Clause (x) of the
Resolution dated 23.7.1983 stating that the non-matrics had approached the High
Court against Clause (ix) and (x) that, after the Judgment, it had been decided
that the pre-revised scale of Rs.320-550 admissible to trained Matric Head Pandits
be applied to Non-Matric Trained Head Pandits and para (x) of 23.7.1983
Resolution be "deemed to have been modified accordingly." It was also
clarified that in the revised scale, both matric and non-matric Head Pandits
were to draw the scale 840-1345.
Then
came the Resolution dated 13.2.1991 of the Government mentioning the principles
for selection of Head pandits in primary schools. As in para (iv) of the
Resolution dated 25.7.1983, it was stated that the appointment as head pandits
was to be made on the basis of training, seniority and suitability. qualification
was not one of the factors. Clause (a) said that the unit will be the District
and selected will be by the District Selection Committee and lists will be
prepared for each recruitment year. Inter-se seniority will depend on their
relative position in the selection list. Clause (b) and (c) referred to the
teachers who were not selected through the District Selection Committee and as
to their appointment as head pandits.
On
5.11.1991, the Government, however, stated that promotions accorded prior to
issue of Government Resolution 5827/E dated 13.2.1991 should remain operative
and the status-quo should be maintained, provided that the gradation list was
prepared and promotions given to the post of Head Pandit in conformity with the
earlier government Resolution No.3436/E dated 23.7.1983.
On
13.3.1992, the Government wrote to the Director of Elementary Education,
stating that the scales of Head pandits matrics and Non-matrics have been equalised
on 21.12.1990 (w.e.f.1.1.1985) and that therefore it was being
"clarified" that (i) there shall be no two categories of posts of
head Pandits as created in G.O. No. 1488/E dated 13.1.1987; (ii) the total
posts of 21.410 (7169+14,241) of Head Pandits would be manned by both
categories of teachers without any distinction and they will be in 540-1345
(revised as 1200-2040 w.e.f. 1.5.1989); (iii) fresh District-wise Gradation
List of Primary School Teachers as per the new principles enunciated in the
Government Resolution 5827/E dated 13.2.1991 be prepared by taking into
consideration "training, seniority and suitability" and giving
greater weightage to seniority with training, subject to suitability, in the
matter of promotion to the post of Head pandits.
This
Resolution dated 13.3.1992 led to the filing of O.A. 674 of 1992 and batch, by
trained matriculate teachers.
It was
contended by them that they should be kept in a separate gradation list and
that the directions given for a single unit in each District for the matric and
non-matric teachers for promotion of Head Pandits was bad and that this
amounted to treating unequals as equals, and the directions to prepare a
combined list of matric and non-matric teachers given in the Resolution dated
13.3.1992 be quashed. The Tribunal felt that there was difference between the
13.2.1991 and 13.3.1992 Resolution and after referring to the history of the
litigation as well as Government Resolutions, finally observed that the latter
Resolution dated 13.3.1992 changed the earlier Resolution dated 13.2.1991
"without any sense or basis". The Tribunal directed implementation of
the Resolution dated 13.2.1991 and observed the letter dated 13.3.1992 was in
conflict with the government Resolution dated 13.2.1991.
This
decision by the Division Bench of the Tribunal in OA No. 674 of 1992 dated
17.6.1993 created further litigation when the present batch of cases OA No. 393
of 1994 etc. were filed by the Non-matric Teachers before the Tribunal. Another
Division Bench of the Tribunal by way of a reasoned order dated 2.5.1994
differed from the earlier decision dated 17.6.1993 of the Tribunal and created
the matter to a Full Bench That resulted in the present Judgment dated
3.10.1994 by the Full Bench agreeing with the views dated 2.5.1994 expressed by
the second Division Bench. It is this Order of the Full Bench that is
questioned in this Appeal by matriculate teachers.
Learned
counsel for the Appellant - matric teachers contended that as a result of the
judgment and the Resolution of the Government dated 13.3.1992 implementing the
Resolution dated 25.6.1988, several matric Pandits faced reversion even though
at one stage Government had passed a status quo order on 5.11.1991. He
contended that the earlier decision of the Tribunal in OA No. 674 of 1992 dated
17.6.1993 had become final and that non-matric teachers cannot be posted as
head Pandits in the schools in which earlier only matric teachers were entitled
to be posted.
On the
other hand, learned counsel for the state of Orissa and counsel for non-matric
teachers pointed out that the Tribunal in its earlier judgment in OA No. 674 of
1992 dated 17.6.1993 ought not to have said anything which went against the
High Court judgment in OJC No. 2102 of 1983 dated 12.5.1989 which had become
final. The judgment had accepted the resolution of the Government dated
25.6.1988 and even proceeded to quash the distinction between the scales of pay.
Further there was no conflict between the resolutions dated 13.2.1991 and
13.3.1992 and the Tribunal, in its earlier judgment in OA 674 of 1992 stated
that there was some conflict and unnecessarily characterised the resolution
dated 13.3.1992 as being "without any sense or basis". No reasons
have been assigned for the said conclusion.
The
point for consideration is whether the Full Bench of the Tribunal was not right
in overruling the judgment of the Division Bench on OA 674 of 1992 dated
17.6.1993? In our view, the Full Bench of the Tribunal was right in not
accepting the decision of the earlier Division Bench in OA No. 674 of 1992
dated 17.6.1993. From the chronology set out by us, it is clear that initially
before 23.7.1983, there was no distinction between matric teachers and non - matric
teachers in the matter of promotion. A distinction was intervened by Resolution
dated 23.7.1983 which in clause (ix) restricted the promotion to schools with 3
or more teachers, only to matric teachers. Clause (x) introduced a disparity in
scales of pay. Clause (ix) was omitted by Resolution dated 25.6.1988. Clause
(x) relating to scales of pay was struck down by the High Court in OJC 2102 of
1983 by judgment dated 12.5.1989. This was done by holding that once the Resolution
dated 25.6.1988 removed the distinction in matters of promotion, the principle
of equal pay for equal work applied. If the decision dated 25.6.1988 was
implemented immediately, there would have been not much problem. Such
implementation was postponed till 21.12.1990 when necessary clarifications were
given and principles for promotions stated in para (iv) of the Resolution dated
23.7.1983 (that promotion will be based on training, seniority and suitability
i.e. not on qualification) was reiterated by Resolution dated 13.2.1991 and
implementation directed on 13.3.1992. It is clear that para (iv) of the
Resolution dated 23.7.1988 stood and together with the Resolution dated
25.6.1988, which was accepted by the High Court on 12.5.1989 and which judgment
had become final, there is no scope for re-opening the issue again when the matric
teachers approached the Tribunal in OA 674 of 1992.
As
pointed out in the referring order by the latter Division Bench of the
Tribunal, the principle for promotion stated in the resolution dated 13.3.1992
that only 'training, seniority and suitability' were to be is nothing new and
it is the same thing as clause (iv) of the resolution dated 23.7.1983. In these
circumstances, thee was no scope for maintaining two gradation lists for matric
and non-matric teachers. In our view, the distinction between matric and non-matric
teachers in the matter of promotion stood removed from 25.6.1988 and that date
shall be treated as the effective date for working out the promotions of the teachers
in each District. Accordingly, combined seniority lists of matric and non-matric
teachers as on 25.6.1988 have to be prepared District-wise and finalised and
then promotion to the posts of head Pandits - whether the schools are of 3 or
more teacher or less than three teachers - will have to be worked out after
applying the principle of 'training seniority and suitability'. We are of the
opinion that the Full Bench had rightly held that there is no conflict between
the resolutions dated 13.2.1991 and 13.3.1992 and that the earlier Division
Bench was not correct in coming to the conclusion that the Resolution dated
13.3.1992 was in conflict with the Resolution dated 13.2.1991.
It
appears that on account of the different resolutions passed or decisions give
by the High Court/Tribunal there were reversions of non-matric Pandits at one
time and of matric Pandits at some other time and there were various interim
order passed at different stages either by the Government or the Tribunal. In
view of the decision now given by us, the rights of the parties will be
accordingly worked out by the Government as expeditiously as possible.
We are
also of the view that as far as possible the matric teachers promoted as head Pandits
could be continued without reversion in view of the fact that in the last
several years, more vacancies must have arisen in the posts of Head Pandits.
The appeals arising out of SLP 22941 of 1994 etc filed by the matriculate
teachers are accordingly dismissed.
Appeals
filed by matric teachers arising out of SLPs 8676 of 1996 and 12960-61 of 1996
are also covered by the above judgment and are disposed of accordingly.
In CA
7155 of 1993, the appellant is a non-matriculate teacher. He was serving as
head Pandit from 5.4.1962 and he has filed this appeal against the judgment of
the Tribunal in OA 632 of 1991 dated 19.10.1992. The OA was dismissed.
it was
held that as per the Resolution dated 23.7.1983, the BDO was right in preparing
two separate gradation lists for matric and non-matric teachers by his
proceedings dated 10.4.1991. The grievance of the appellant in the appeal will
also stand redressed by our decision rendered above.
The
Civil Appeal is, therefore, allowed and disposed of in the light of the main
judgment rendered by us as stated above.
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