Ranjit Singh Sarkaria, J. - (1.) THE petitioner was informed through a letter dated 29.1.1999 that he was not entitled to the benefit of second Higher Standard Grade. Aggrieved against this, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition impugning the said denial.
(2.) THE petitioner was appointed as a steno in the department of P.W.D. (Public Health) on 23.12.1960. In the year 1970, vacancies of Stenography Instructors (English) were advertised by Director, Technical Education, Haryana. In response, the petitioner submitted his application through proper channel and was selected. He accordingly joined the post w.e.f. 28.10.1970. The petitioner was made regular w.e.f. 1.1.1980 and was confirmed as well. The petitioner prayed for grant of Standard Grade in view of the Haryana Government instructions made applicable w.e.f. 1.1.1994 on completion of 20 years of service without having been promoted or granted selection grade. The request of the petitioner was that his entire service from 1960 be taken into consideration for the grant of standard grade on completion of 20 years of service. The petitioner, however, was permitted only one Standard Grade promotion on completion of 10 years of service counting w.e.f. 1.1.1980 and not from the year 1960/1965 as claimed by him. Intimation was also sent to the petitioner that he was not entitled to the second Higher Standard Grade increment as he did not complete 20 years of regular service having been appointed and confirmed w.e.f. 1.1.1980. Notice of motion was issued and reply has been filed on behalf of respondent Nos. 1 and 2. The stand taken in the order (Annexure P -1) is reiterated in the reply. The appointment letter issued to the petitioner on 13.10.1970 is annexed as Annexure R -1.
(3.) IT is highlighted that the appointment letter clearly shows that the petitioner was selected as Stenography Instructor (English) purely on ad hoc basis. His appointment was for the period of six months or till a regular appointment was made. He was subsequently regularised w.e.f. 1.1.1980, in view of Haryana Government instructions issued through a letter No. CSR/Cont/Art/309/80 dated 1.1.1980. It is further disclosed that the case of the petitioner was considered for grant of additional increment on completion of 8/18 years of service up to 1.7.1992. Two additional increments had accordingly been granted to the petitioner. It is then disclosed that the respondent -Government has issued instructions on 8.2.1994 for granting time bound higher standard pay scale to Haryana Government employees of Group C & D. Copy of the instructions is annexed as Annexure R -4. The petitioner was, thus, granted higher standard pay scale on completion of 10 years of regular service. It is pleaded that the petitioner has not completed 20 years of regular satisfactory service and, thus, has not been granted second Higher Standard Pay Scale on completion of 20 years of service.;