JUDGMENT

Civil Appeal No.8852/96 with C.A. Nos. ............/97 (arising out of SLP (C) CC No. 1601/96 and SLP (C) No. 24606/96)

Kirpal, J.-Leave granted.

2. The issue which arises in these appeals from the orders of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Jabalpur, relates to the stepping up of the pay of the respondents who were promoted as Loco Running Supervisor prior to 1st January, 1986 vis-a-vis the pay of one Sh. P.N. Kareer who was promoted to that post after 1st January, 1986 but was drawing higher pay than the respondents.

3. As the question of facts and law in these appeals are the same, therefore, we propose to dispose of these appeals by a common judgment.

4. In the Railway Administration there is a category of staff called the running staff which is involved in the running of trains. It includes drivers, guards, firemen, shunters and brakesmen. The running staff are entitled to an allowance called the running allowance in view of the nature of their duties pertaining to the running of trains. The pay scales of the running staff are considered to be incommensurable with the ordeal of their duty and, therefore, to balance that element the running allowance is given to encourag