V. Murali vs Government of Tamil Nadu

T. Raja, J.—The petitioner was originally appointed as Junior Assistant in the Motor Vehicles Maintenance Department, after being

recruited by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission in the Group IV Services Examinations conducted in the year 1986. After completing his

probationary period in the Motor Vehicles Maintenance Department, he applied through the department for the post of Steno-typist and came out

successfully in the Group IV examination conducted by the TNPSC in the year 1989. Subsequently, he was recruited as Steno-typist and got

allotted to Agricultural Department. After relieving from Motor Vehicles Maintenance Department on 01.11.90, joined the duty in Agricultural

Department on 02.11.1990 by transfer of service. Thereafter, due to closure of the Scheme in the Agricultural Department, the petitioner has

applied for transfer to Forest Department and joined the service in the Forest Department on 28.01.1998. Since then, the petitioner has been

working as Steno-typist in the District Forest Department, Tirupathur, Vellore District. Official records produced by the petitioner clearly shows

that he has been serving permanently as Junior Assistant and Steno-typist from 25.06.1987. The 3rd respondent, in his proceedings dated

28.11.2000, has accorded in the Selection Grade in the post of Steno-typist with effect from 02.11.2000 by fixing the scale of pay at Rs. 5000-

150-8000. While passing the said order, the 3rd respondent erroneously failed to take into account the period of earlier service as Junior Assistant

from 25.06.1987 to 01.11.1990 and failed to count the same for the purpose of awarding Selection Grade from 25.06.19997. Therefore, the

petitioner made an application requesting the authorities concerned. But, the same was not considered on the basis of G.O. Ms. No. 210, P &

A.R. Department, dated 11.03.1987 on the ground that at the time of petitioner working as Junior Assistant, the scale of pay for Junior Assistant

was different from the scale of pay of Steno-typist. Aggrieved by the said order, the the petitioner has filed the present writ petition.

Learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that on the basis of G.O. No. 555 dated 10.06.1985 as well as G.O .No. 666 dated

27.06.1989, the scale of pay of Junior Assistant viz., Rs. 610-1075 was also the same even for Steno-typist, Typist and Junior Assistant-cum-

typist. He further submits that the G.O. No. 555 dated 10.06.1985 has vividly mentioned that the scale of pay of these three posts are carrying the

same scale of pay and even from the G.O. No. 666 dated 27.06.1989, the scale of pay of Steno-typist, Typist and Junior Assistant-cum-typist

was fixed the revised the scale of pay of Rs. 975-1660. Therefore, the request of the petitioner to count the service of the petitioner as Junior

Assistant from 25.06.1987 to 01.11.1990 for the purpose of benefit of Selection Grade from 25.06.1997, cannot be denied.

Learned Counsel appearing for the respondents submits that the scale of pay of the petitioner for the post of Steno-typist, typist and Junior

Assistant are not identical. Therefore, the petitioner was not entitled to Selection Grade.

Heard the learned Counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

Admittedly, the petitioner was granted Selection Grade from 02.11.2000 after completion of 10 years of service as Steno-typist. But, the

petitioner is aggrieved, because his services rendered in the post of Junior Assistant from 25.06.1987 to 01.11.1990 were referred to be counted

for the purpose of receiving the benefit of Selection Grade from 25.06.1997. As rightly contended by the learned Counsel appearing for the

petitioner, G.O. No. 555 dated 10.06.1985 as well as G.O. No. 666 dated 27.06.1989 categorically indicate the scale of pay of the Steno-typist

and Junior Assistant are same and identical. Therefore, the reason for denial to count the service of the petitioner from the post of Junior Assistant

from 25.06.1987 to 01.11.1990 for the purpose of awarding the S. Grade from 25.06.1997, cannot be refused. Therefore, the stand taken by the

respondents being untenable, this Court by quashing the impugned order, direct the respondents to count the period of service of the petitioner

from 25.06.1987 to 01.11.1990 as Junior Assistant for awarding Selection Grade to the petitioner in the post of Steno-typist and award Selection

Grade as such from 25.03.1997.

With the above observation, the writ petition is allowed. No Costs.