V.M.SAHAI,J. - (1.) THE questions which arise for our consideration in these batch of cases are as to whether amendment made in Rule 56 (a) of Uttar Pradesh Fundamental Rules (in short ''the Rules') by Notification dated June 27, 2002 enhancing age of superannuation of government servants from 58 years to 60 years would be applicable to the employees of Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (hereinafter referred to as ''the Nigam'). And as to whether the petitioners are entitled for the same and/or similar relief which is granted in Harwindra Kumar Vs. Chief Engineer Karmic and others J.T. 2005(10) S.C. 32 or their conduct in approaching the court at belated stage disentitled them for such relief and their writ petitions are liable to be dismissed on the ground of delay and latches?
(2.) THE petitioners of these batch of writ petitions while working on the posts of Assistant Engineers/Executive Engineers in the Nigam have been made to retire from service on attaining 58 years of their age of superannuation. Since identical question in controversy based on similar facts are involved in this batch of writ petitions, therefore, these writ petitions are taken up together for hearing and disposal. The brief facts having material bearing with the question in controversy involved in the case are that the petitioners were initially employed in the Local Self Government, Engineering Department of Government of Uttar Pradesh. In the year 1975, the State Legislature enacted an Act, viz., Uttar Pradesh Water Supply & Sewerage Act, 1975 (hereinafter referred to as ''the Act'), under Section 3 whereof, the State Government was empowered to issue notification to constitute a corporation by the name of the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam pursuant to which a notification was issued establishing the same with effect from 18th June, 1975. From the date of the establishment of the Nigam, which is the appointed date as enumerated in Section 31 of the Act, all properties and assets which immediately before the appointed date were vested in the State Government for the purposes of Local Self Government Engineering Department were vested in and stood transferred to the Nigam and all rights, liabilities and obligations of the state Government pertaining to the said Department became the rights, liabilities and obligations of the Nigam. Under Section 37 of the Act, every person who was employed in the Local Self Government Engineering Department of the State of Uttar Pradesh shall on and from the appointed date, i.e., 18th June, 1975 would become employee of the Nigam and shall hold his office or service therein by the same tenure, at the same remuneration and upon same other terms and conditions and with the same rights and privileges as to pension, gratuity and other matters as he would have held the same on the appointed date if this Act had not come into force and shall continue to do so until his remuneration or other terms and conditions of service are revised or altered by the Nigam under or in pursuance of any law or in accordance with any provision which for the time being governed his service.
(3.) BEFORE the appointed date i.e. 18th June, 1975, the age of superannuation of these employees under Rule 56(a) of the rules was 58 years which could be extended in exceptional circumstances up to the age of 60 years. Thereafter, the State Government issued order to the Nigam under its letter dated October 31, 1975 wherein it was clearly stated that in accordance with Section 37 of the Act the service conditions of such employees of the Nigam would continue to remain the same so long the same are not altered by the Nigam in accordance with law. Thereupon, Nigam took a decision on 4th April, 1977 in conformity with the provisions of Section 37 of the Act wherein it was specifically mentioned that the rights and responsibilities as were enjoyed by the officers of the then Local Self Government Engineering Department under the Financial Hand Book, PWD Manuals, Manual of Government Orders, Civil Services Regulations, Government Conduct Rules and other Manuals of Government Orders that have been passed or shall be passed by the Government from time to time shall be deemed to be applicable to the officers of the Nigam provided any other order in this regard is not passed by the Nigam.;