- (1.) In these two writ petitions common questions are involved and as such we propose to decide them by a common judgment.
(2.) Petitioner in writ petition No. 10368 of 1979 has challenged the letter dt. 8-10- 1976 by which he was informed that he had been categorised as Inspector Grade I by the Categorisation Committee in terms of General Insurance (Rationalisation of Pay Scales and other Conditions of Service of Development Staff) Scheme, 1976 (hereinafter referred to as Development Staff Scheme of 1976). Petitioner in writ petition No. 10017 of 1979 has challenged letters dt. 28-11-1979, 9-5-1978, 11-7-1979 and 28-3- 1979. Both the petitioners have further prayed for issue of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to recategorise them under General Insurance (Rationalisation of Pay Scales and other Conditions of Service of Officers) Scheme, 1975 (hereinafter referred to as Officers Scheme of 1975).
(3.) Learned counsel for the respondents raised a preliminary objection that the respondent New India Assurance Company Limited (hereinafter referred to as the Company) is neither "other authority" within the meaning of Art. 12 of the Constitution nor is a statutory corporation and therefore, not amenable to the writ jurisdiction of the High Court.;