IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
WP(C).No. 25887 of 2004(F)
1. RAMANNA,
... Petitioner
2. V.SREEKUMAR,
Vs
1. UNION OF INDIA,
... Respondent
2. CHAIRMAN,
3. SECRETARY,
For Petitioner :SRI.K.P.DANDAPANI (SR.)
For Respondent :SRI.JOSEPH MARKOSE (SR.)
The Hon'ble MR. Justice V.GIRI
Dated :13/01/2009
O R D E R
V.GIRI, J
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W.P.(C).25887/2004
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Dated this the 13th day of January, 2009
JUDGMENT
Petitioners are working as Publicity Assistants
in Spices Board. Their pay scale at the time of filing
the writ petition was Rs.4500-7000/-. Their grievance
arose from the denial of appropriate pay scale of
Rs.5500-9000/-, on a parity with the Editorial staff in
the Central Government Department, as
recommended by the Vth Pay Commission. Reference
is made in this regard to the recommendations of Vth
Central Pay Commission as Ext.P10, recommending
the revised of pay scale of Rs.5500-9000/- for the
Editorial staff in the Central Government Department.
It seems that the Spices Board had recommended for
a similar scale of pay adopted in relation to the
Publicity Assistants. Going by the counter affidavit
filed by the Spices Board, it cannot be said that there
is an absolute parity in the nature of duties
discharged by the Editorial staff in the Central
Government Department, and the duties discharged
W.P.(C).25887/2004
2
by the Publicity Assistants in the Spices Board. Their
operations are rather restricted. It seems that the
petitioners moved the Spices Board for taking
appropriate action to see that the recommendations
made in relation to the Editorial staff in Ext.P10 is
straight away adopted in the case of Publicity Assistants
in the Spices Board. It would be appropriate that the
petitioners move the Central Government.
2. I heard learned counsel for the petitioners
Smt.Sumathi Dandapani and learned Standing Counsel
for the respondents Mr.Joseph Kodianthara.
3. In view of the fact that the Spices Board earlier
recommended adoption of the pay scale as
recommended for the Editorial staff in the Central
Government Department, in relation to the Publicity
Assistants in the Spices Board, it is only appropriate
that the petitioners’ case be reconsidered by the Central
Government. Accordingly, Spices Board shall forward
W.P.(C).25887/2004
3
Ext.P13 representation to the Central Government
within one month from the date of receipt of a copy of
this judgment and it shall be treated as a
representation by similarly situated persons also.
Central Government shall, after notice to the petitioners
and the Spices Board, take a decision thereon, within
two months from the date of receipt of representation.
Writ petition is disposed of as above.
V.GIRI,
Judge
mrcs