M.L.Bhat, J. - (1.) These six writ petitions are identical in nature. There is a common question of law and facts, therefore, they were heard together and are being decided by a common judgment.
(2.) The Petitioners' case is that they were working as clerks the writing certificates of successful candidates who had passed High School and Intermediate Examinations. Their appointment was in pursuance of an advertisement notice A written test was held Thereafter the Petitioners were inter We;ed and the Petitioners came to be appointed as Certificate Writers.
(3.) In wit petition No. 10718 of 1988 the Petitioners state that they were appointed as certificate writers in February, 1986 on wards. They were doing the job of clerk in pay scale of Rs. 354-550 but they were not given the pay scale. They were first paid Rs. 12/- for writing 100 certificate and Rs. 4/- for checking the same. Subsequently the rate was enhanced to Rs. 20/- for writing 100 certificates aid Rs. 6/- for checking the same. They would intend the office from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. and would sign the attendance register kept by the Respondent for marking their attendance. The Petitioners were unemployed before joinion the service. They accepted the service by being exploited by the Respondent. The Petitioners were not only writing tae certificates but they were also asked to write counterfoils of the certificates. In this way they would write 200 certificates 100 for the purpose of issuing to various candidates and 100 as counterfoils in lieu of Rs. 12/- and Rs. 4/- as checking charge; and subsequently in lieu of Rs. 20/- and Rs. 6/- as checking charges. The Petitioners are said to have made an application to the Respondent that they were discharging the work of regular employees, therefore, they should be p;id as regular employees and be absorbed as such for which posts were available with the Respondent. On account of being jobless they had accepted to work on a meager monthly amount of Rs. 200/- to Rs. 300/- which they earned by writing certificates otherwise they were entitled to be paid the pay scales which are drawn by the regular employees of the Board. It is submitted that some employees who were certificate writers were absorbed against permanent posts and were paid pay scales which are drawn by the regular employees. The Petitioners' case is that they are working as casual labourers and have put in the requisite working days, therefore, they are entitled to be brought on the regular establishment of the Respondent and paid accordingly. All the Petitioners are highly educated and their educational qualifications are also given in the body of the writ petition.;