IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 10.07.2009
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R. SUDHAKAR
W.P.No. 22025 of 2001
.......
E. Balasubramani .... Petitioner
Vs
1.The Commissioner,
Corporation of Chennai,
Rippon Building,
Chendnai.3.
2.The Superintending Engineer
(Mechanical),
Corporation of Chennai,
Rippon Building,
Chennai.3.
3.The Secretary to Government,
Municipal Administration and
Water Supply Department,
Competent Authority.
(impleaded as per order
dated 6.7.2009) .... Respondents
Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to regularise the services of the petitioner in the cadre of Loader Operator and grant seniority, pay, special pay, arrears of pay, allowances and all other consequential benefits.
For Petitioner : Mr. R. Anantha Roa
For Respondents : Mr. V. Bharathidasan
ORDER
The petitioner joined the services of Corporation of Chennai as a permanent driver by an order dated 30.4.1987. A memorandum was issued by the Zonal Officer on 11.3.1994 stating that the petitioner was given a training as front end loader at the Zone-I lorry station and posted on duty without any financial commitments. On 22.7.1998, a circular was issued to all the drivers stating that they can participate in the tests so as to enable them to qualify themselves as front end loader operator. The said circular was communicated to the petitioner on 27.7.1998. The Corporation conducted a test in November 2000 and the petitioner was qualified and ranked at Sl.No.14. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Corporation of Chennai posted the petitioner as a loader-cum-driver in the morning shift. The order states that it is a temporary posting and the petitioner should not claim seniority. On 5.3.2001, the Superintending Engineer passed the following order:-
VERNACULAR (TAMIL) PORTION DELETED
2. In effect, the petitioner has been temporarily appointed as loader-operator and that he will draw the salary of a regular driver. Further, the petitioner will not be entitled to claim any seniority in the loader-operator post.
3. The petitioner submits that since the Superintending Engineer has already appointed the petitioner as a loader-operator and having passed the qualifying tests and completed more than 10 years of service, he is entitled to be posted as loader-operator. The respondents have failed to consider the various representations of the petitioner and grant the benefit in spite of the fact that the petitioner has been continuously performing the duty as a loader operator.
4. In the counter filed by the respondents in paragraph 2, it is stated as follows:-
” I submit that in Corporation of Chennai Class III Services, there was no Bulldozer/Loader Operator post is in existence. After purchasing of some Bulldozer/Loader vehicle, some of the drivers, who are having valid heavy vehicle licence, and with their consent were asked to operate the Bulldozer/Ladder Operator, with the approval of the government for the existing fleet of equipments.”
5. Learned counsel for the respondent on instructions submitted that necessary action will be taken to create posts in the cadre of Bulldozer/ loader-operator . He also stated that the Corporation has sent a proposal with recommendations for creating the posts and the orders of the Government will be obtained . As and when the posts are approved, the eligible persons will be promoted to such posts.
6. The learned counsel for the petitioner brought to the attention of the Court The (Chennai) City Municipal (Corporation) web site extract wherein, it has been shown that there are 8 Bulldozer for handling garbage. He also referred to the memorandum of the year 1991 issued on 27.6.1991 where the Corporation of Madras called for willingness from permanent drivers to work in the post of Bulldozer Drivers/Loader Drivers. Another memorandum of same nature was issued on 10.10.1999. He also pointed out similar memorandum issued by the Superintending Engineer of Corporation on different dates viz., on 29.6.2000, 9.5.2001 and 4.7.2001. In all these memorandum, permanent drivers of the Corporation were asked to give their willingness to work as Bulldozer drivers/Loader drivers. The learned counsel for the petitioner also pointed out a chart where the pay scale of Bulldozer drivers/ loader drivers working in the various zone have been indicated. He therefore, pleaded before this Court that on and from the date of appointment of the petitioner as loader operator by the proceedings of the Superintending Engineer dated 5.3.2001, his case should be considered for appointment to such post on regular basis with pay benefits.
7. It is contended that the petitioner in this case is entitled to the benefit of higher Pay as applicable to the higher post if it is given to the similarly placed person. The pay protection to those who serve the higher post is affirmed by the Apex Court in the decisions reported in (i) Selvaraj Vs. – Lt. Governor of Island, Port Blair and Others (1998, 4, S.C.C. 291) and (ii) Secretary-cum-Chief Engineer, Chandigarh Vs. – Hari Om Sharma and Others (AIR 1998, S.C.C. 87).
8. From the various proceedings, which have been referred to above, it is clear that the respondents have been issuing memorandum from time to time stating that the permanent drivers can work as drivers of bulldozers. One of the documents produced also shows that the pay scale has been fixed for driver of bulldozer and front end load operator drivers. In certain cases, the salary has been fixed on a higher scale than that of the regular drivers. As regards the fixation of pay is concerned, it has to be dealt with by the Corporation without any discrimination between one person or the other depending on the nature of work done and the appointment made. The scope of the present writ petition is restricted to regularisation of the petitioner as driver of Bulldozer/ front end loader operator on and from the date of his appointment. The Corporation has taken a stand that the proposal has been placed before the committee and it will be forwarded to the Government. In this case, the documents produced by the petitioner clearly show that the respondents have proceeded on the basis that loader operators -cum- bulldozer drivers are a separate entity. The drivers of the Corporation were given the option to work in such posts. It is not clear as to why the petitioner in this case has not been regularised or upgraded in the post of driver of bulldozer-cum front end load operator. If the petitioner qualifies due to his long years of service after having passed skill tests, he should be appointed as bulldozer/ front end loader operator driver. He is entitled to be regularised/upgraded in the said post. The respondents cannot deny such right. The respondents claim that there is no such post appears to be inconsistent with the document produced. In any event, if they do not have such a post as contended, respondents have to create appropriate posts and pay the salary applicable to such persons holding and performing the higher posts without any discrimination. The pendency of the proposal before the Government is not a reason to deny the petitioner’s rightful entitlement.
9. In view of the various proceedings issued by the Corporation and the fact that the petitioner was appointed by the Superintending Engineer as a Bulldozer-cum-front end operator driver and has been working as such from the date of his appointment, the petitioner is entitled to be regularised/upgraded as a bulldozer-cum-front end operator driver on and from the date of such appointment. He will be entitled to all the consequential benefits without any discrimination. This writ petition is ordered in the above terms. No costs. Consequently, WP MP No. 386 of 2009 is closed.
ra
To
1. The Commissioner,
Corporation of Chennai,
Rippon Building,
Chendnai.3.
2. The Superintending Engineer
(Mechanical),
Corporation of Chennai,
Rippon Building,
Chennai.3.
3. The Secretary to Government,
Municipal Administration and
Water Supply Department,
Competent Authority