- (1.) The petitioners have prayed for the issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to grant them the pay scale of Rs. 700-1200.w.e.f. 1.1.1973 and of Rs. 700-1600 w.e.f. 1.4.1980 and also have further prayed to pay 18% interest on the arrears from the date the revised pay scales were due to them.
(2.) It has further been averred that the petitioners have been working as Librarians in various colleges of Punjab. Petitioner No. 1 is still in service while other petitioners have retired from service. The service particulars of the petitioners have been tabulated in para 2 of the writ petition. It is further averred that petitioner No.1 has qualification of M.A. with degree in Library Science or B. Lib. while the other petitioners possess qualification of M.A. with diploma in Library Science or D.Lib. The minimum qualifications required for the post of Librarian at the time of joining of service was BA/B.Sc/B.Com with Degree or Diploma in Library Science and thus, all of them were fully eligible for the post of Librarian. It is further averred that on the recommendation of the Committee headed by Dr. S.R. Ranganathan, the respondent-State revised the pay scales of Librarians working in the colleges/public libraries and placed them in the grade of Rs. 300-600 irrespective of the qualification w.e.f. 1.11.1966 (Copy Annexure P-1). All the petitioners were allowed these pay scales. A perusal of Annexure P-1 shows that the pay scales were made applicable w.e.f. 1.11.1966 in the case of those Librarians who were appointed before this date. In the case of persons appointed subsequent to 1.11.1966, the revised pay scales were made applicable w.e.f. the date of their respective appointments. Thereafter, the said pay scales were revised to Rs. 700-1200 w.e.f. 1.1.1978 on the recommendation of the Punjab Pay Commission. The Punjab Government vide letter dated 25.2.1977 (Annexure P-2) revised the pay scales of the University and Colleges Teachers working in the pay scale of Rs. 300-600 and others to Rs. 700-1600 w.e.f. 1.1.1973. This was for the first time that the pay parity between Librarian staff and the University and College Teachers was disturbed. The Punjab State vide letter dated 18.2.1983 (Annexure P-3) revised and enhanced the pay scales of Librarian to Rs. 700-1600 w.e.f. 1.4.1980. These pay scales were admissible to those Librarians having qualification of first or second class in BA/B.Sc./B.Com Degree plus First or Second Class Degree in Library Science or first and second class MA/M.Sc/M.Com Degree and first and second class B.Lib Science or a diploma in Library Science.
(3.) Notice of motion was issued. Written statement was filed.;