- (1.) This order shall dispose of the aforementioned three writ petitions filed by former and present Members of the Punjab Superior Judicial Services. Since the issue raised in all the writ petitions is common, therefore, the same are taken up for hearing together. However, for facility of reference, the facts are taken up from CWP No.15330 of 2010.
(2.) The petitioner joined Punjab Civil Services (Judicial Branch) on 10.05.1977 and was drawing pay of Rs.14,300/- on 12.11.1996 in the revised pay scale of Rs.13500-400-15900-450-16800. He was promoted as Additional District & Sessions Judge in the cadre of Punjab Civil Services governed by Punjab Superior Judicial Service Rules, 1963 (for short 'the 1963 Rules') on 12.11.1996. The pay scale for the Members of the Punjab Superior Judicial Service were revised vide notification dated 16.01.1998, but with retrospective effect i.e. 01.01.1996 granting pay scale of Rs.10025-275- 10300-340- 12000-375- 13500-400- 15900-450- 18600. The pay of the petitioner on promotion was fixed as Rs.14,700/- as on 12.11.1996, increased to Rs.15,100/- as on 1.11.1997 and to Rs.15,500/- as on 1.11.1998 with the grant of annual increments of Rs.400/-.
(3.) The petitioner points out that consequent to the acceptance of the recommendations of the Shetty Commission and in terms of the directions of the Supreme Court in All India Judges Association & others Vs. Union of India & others, 2002 4 SCC 247, the petitioner has been placed in the pay scale of Rs.16750-400-19150-450-20500 and has been granted annual grade increments on due dates i.e on 1 st of November every year till the age of superannuation on 21.03.2001, when he was drawing salary of Rs.18,350/-.;