JUDGMENT

B.P. Jeevan Reddy, J.-This appeal is preferred against the judgment of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Ernakulam Bench, allowing O.A. No. 391 of 1991 filed by the respondents herein.

2. The respondents are Tool Room Assistants in the Integrated Fisheries Project (I.F.P.) which is a wing of the Fisheries department, the other wing being Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training Department (CIFNET). The pay-scale of Tool Room Assistants in I.F.P. was initially Rs. 85-128/-, revised to Rs. 210-290/-.The IVth Pay Commission prescribed a uniform pay scale of Rs. 800-1150/- for two pre-existing pay scales, viz., Rs. 210-270/- and Rs. 210-290/-. The respondents thus came into the pay scale Rs. 800-1150/-.

3. The Central Government issued a notification under Rule 6 of CCS (CC&A) Rules classifying various posts into groups A, B, C and D. Group-C comprised Central civil posts "carrying a pay or a scale of pay with a maximum of over Rs. 1150/- but less than Rs. 2900/-". Group-D comprised civil posts "carrying a pay or a scale of pay, the maximum of which is Rs. 1150/- but less . It is stated by the respondents that their post comes under "skilled" group and