S.P.GOYAL, J. - (1.) The petitioners are working as Field Inspectors in Agricultural Department of the State of Punjab. The post of Field Inspector was equated with that of the Agricultural Inspector vide Memo No. 1586-SF-II-69/8066, dated May 14, 1969. At that time both the Agricultural Inspectors and the Field Inspectors were in the pay scale of Rs. 130-320. In the year 1971, the pay-scale of the Agricultural Inspectors was revised to Rs. 250-450 and so was revised the pay scale of the Field Inspectors. The pay scale of Agricultural Inspectors has been again revised with effect from November 1, 1977 vide Annexure P-7, dated February 3, 1978 but the pay-scale of the Field Inspectors was not revised. The petitioners, therefore, have filed two petitions(Civil Writ Petitions Nos. 4144 and 4817 of 1978) under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for an appropriate writ, order or direction directing the Government to revise the pay-scales of the Field Inspectors also.
(2.) These petitions have been opposed by the State of Punjab and in the written statement it is stated that the petitioners are not entitled to the revisions of their pay-scales as their qualifications and duties are different than those of Agricultural Inspectors. This in my view,is hardly a reason to deny the petitioners the same scale of pay which has been allowed to the Agricultural Inspectors so long as their posts continue to be equated. The action of the Government obviously has resulted in discrimination for which there is no justification whatsoever.
(3.) Mr. V. K. Sharma, the learned counsel, appearing for the State,has pointed out that the Pay Commission has recommended that the pay-scales of Field Inspectors be equated with Agricultural Inspectors with effect from January 1, 1978. This also supports the contention of the petitioners that they are entitled to the same scale of pay as is allowed to the Agricultural Inspectors.;