Judgment

SABYASACHI MUKHARJI, J. :- This petition under Article 32 of the Constitution in a representative capacity on behalf of the stenographers (Grade I) who are attached with officers in the pay scale of Rs. 2500-2750 (Level I), seeks parity with the pay scale of the stenographers attached to the Joint Secretaries and officers above that rank. It is stated that the petitioners are in the pay scale of Rs. 550-900. The petitioners claim that they should be placed in the pay scale of Rs. 650-1040 with effect from lst of January, 1973. It must, however, be mentioned that this petition was filed on or about 7th of May, 1982 and submissions on this petition were made in the end of November, 1986. Therefore, the position pertaining to the controversy in this case is prior to the report or the implementation of the Fourth Pay Commission. In short, the petitioners are personal assistance and stenographers attached to the heads of the departments in the Customs and Central Excise Departments of the Ministry of Finance. They assert that they have been and are discriminated vis-a-vis personal assistants and stenographers attached to the Joint Secretaries and officers above them in the Minis