- (1.) JUDGMENT :- Leave granted.
(2.) WE have heard learned Counsel on both sides. This appeal by special leave arises from the order of the Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal at Hyderabad, made on 19/08/1996 in OA No. 2944/93. The appellant was originally appointed as a Teacher/Head Master in a private aided school on 9/11/1959 in the scale of Rs. 45-120. After his passing Secondary Grade Degree Training Examination in the year 1967, he was granted on 1/12/1967 SGBT scale of Rs. 80-150 w.e.f. the aforesaid date. In view of the fact that the appellant went on improving his qualifications for B.A., M.A., B.Ed. and M.Ed., the authorities went on giving revision of the pay scale granting advance increments as and when he acquired the qualification on the pay-scale applicable at the relevant time. Impugned proceedings were issued to recover the said amount paid to him on the premise that he was not entitled to the advance increments more than two. The Tribunal has dismissed the petition. Thus, this appeal by special leave.
(3.) THE Government in G.O.Ms. No. 928 Education Department (K) dated 13/09/1977 has envisaged the grant of the additional increment on the minimum qualifications prescribed for the relevant categories, as indicated below : "(a) One Increment for B.A. or equivalent degree. (b) One Increment for B.Ed. (c) One Increment for M.A. or equivalent Post-Graduate Degree. (d) One Increment for M.Ed." Admittedly, he is now having the post of Junior Lecturer which requires the M.A. qualification and, therefore, he is only entitled to two additional increments, namely, for acquiring his M.A. and M.Ed. qualifications. They have stated in the illustration as under : JUDGEMENT_139_6_1997Html1.htm 4. The additional financial coment (sic) involved to the management in the implementation of these orders will be considsered for assessment of teaching grants due to the schools under GRANT-IN-AID." ;