Nishita Mhatre, J. - (1.) THESE two petitions challenged the order passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Calcutta Bench, in O.A. No. 128 of 2006. For the sake of convenience the petitioners in WPCT 357 of 2007 will be referred to as the 'Railways' while the petitioners in WPCT 617 of 2007 will be referred to as the 'petitioners'.
(2.) THE petitioners were initially appointed as Khalasis in the Stores Department of the Railways between 1985 and 1987. They were promoted to various posts between the period 1998 and 2006. After working as Shunting Masters, the petitioners were promoted to the post of Assistant Yard Masters on various dates in the scale of Rs. 5,000 -8,000. They were all promoted later to the post of Yard Master in 2006 in the scale of Rs. 5,500 -9000. The Deputy Chief Materials Manager, Eastern Railways, issued an office order dated 15th September, 2005 reducing the pay -scale being enjoyed by the petitioners. The office order indicated that the scale which the petitioners ought to have drawn as Assistant Yard Masters in the Stores Department was Rs. 4,500 -7000 and as Yard Masters Rs. 5,000 -8,000. The Deputy Chief Materials Manager directed that the necessary rectification of the pay -scales of the concerned staff in the Stores Department should be made and the excess payment should be recovered from the staff.
(3.) A representation was submitted to the Deputy Chief Materials Manager by the employees' association, of which the petitioners were members, objecting to his decision to reduce the pay -scales and to recover the salary from the petitioners. It was also pointed out that the decision of the General Manager, Eastern Railways did not disclose any reason for the same and that it was erroneous on several counts. There was no response from the officer and therefore the petitioners preferred O.A. No. 1100 of 2005 before the Central Administrative Tribunal, Calcutta Bench. The Tribunal directed the Railways to take a decision on the representation of the petitioners within three months.;