JUDGMENT

JAGANNATHA SHETTY, J.:— This appeal by Special Leave arises out of a Judgment of the Gujarat High Court dismissing the appellants Special Civil Application No. 1222 of 1973. The appellants are employees of the Oil and Natural Gas Commission. They were appointed in the basic pay scale of Rs. 120/- as Technicians Grade III. Respondents 3 to 9 are also employees in the same establishment but in Grade II. Their basic pay scale was Rs. 175/-. The contention of the appellants is that there is practically no difference in the nature of duties and responsibilities of Technicians Grade II and Grade III. and therefore, they are entitled to be treated and paid as Technicians Grade II. The management refused to accede to their request. They approached the Gujarat High Court for a direction against the management to treat them on equal terms with respondents 3 to 9 from the date of their respective appointments. There also they could not succeed. So they are now before us.

2. It is not in dispute and indeed cannot be disputed that the appellants were recruited as Technicians Grade III. Respondents 3 to 9 were recruited as Technicians Grade II. It is the case of the management that there