KARAM SINGH Vs. NATIONAL HYDROELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION LTD.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By this judgment, we propose to dispose of the abovenoted six writ petitions, since common question of law and fact is involved therein.

(2.) The admitted facts of the case may be thus stated. The Salal Hydro-electric Project at Jyotipuram (J & K) was an undertaking of the Government of India It was handed over to the National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (for short referred to as the Corporation hereinafter), on agency basis for execution. The Corporation is also an enterprise of the Government of India The Corporation is also undertaking another project in District Chamba of Himachal Pradesh, known as Chamera Hydro electric Project.

(3.) The petitioners, alongwith other various employees, were transferred from Salal Hydro electric Project, Jyotipuram (J & K) to Chamera Hydro -electric Project in Chamba District. Such transfer orders were effected vide different office orders in respect of each the petitioners with effect from different dates. These office orders contained similar conditions, inter alia, in the following terms: "They will also be eligible to the benefit of continuity of service, EPF, service for the purposes of gratuity on transfer to the new place of posting. The date of annual increment in their existing scales of pay will also remain unchanged. Other terms and conditions of their offer of appointment will remain unchanged. They will continue to be governed by rules and regulations of the Corporation as are applicable to employees of their categories and as amended from time to time at the place of their posting."