JUDGMENT

KULDIP SINGH, J.—The question for decision in these appeals is whether payment of less salary to a senior than his junior in the same cadre having the same pay scale is violative of the principle of "equal pay for equal work" enshrined in Article 39 (d) read with Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India.

2. Though the respondents belong to different departments and service but since, the question of law is same, we are disposing these appeals by a common order. Necessary facts relating to each batch of appeals for appreciating the controversy are as under :

Civil Appeals Nos. 317-30/87, 2998/87. 294-298/88 307 to 315/88 305/88 and 316/88

3, The first batch in this bunch of appeals is concerning the employees of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. The main judgment under appeal relates to the cadre of Assistant Section Officers working in the High Court. Copyists and assistants are the two feeder cadres to the post of Assistant Section Officer. Prior to 1974 copyists were in the pay scale of Rs 70-130 and were entitled to additional payment at Rs 7-50 p. per every 100 words they copy in excess of 42,000 words. As a result of pay revision they were given the pay scale of R