Judgment

KULDIP SINGH, J.:- The question for our consideration is whether the Section Officers working in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are entitled to the same pay scales as are being drawn by the Section Officers in the Central Secretariat.

2. The S.A.S. (Subordinate Accounts Service) Accountants/ Superintendents in the Audit and Accounts Department were redesignated as Section Officers (Account and Audit) with effect from April 1, 1973. The post of Section Officer was categorised as Class III post and prior to January 1, 1973 it carried the pay-scale of Rs.270-575. On the other hand, in the Central Secretariat there were two levels of Class II posts. The lower level of Class II post of Assistant (non-gazetted) was in the pay scale of Rs. 210-530 and the higher level post of Section Officer (Gazetted) carried the pay scale of Rs. 350-900.

2A. The Central Government set-up the Third Pay Commission which was presided over by a former Judge of this Court. The Commission took into consideration all relevant facts and circumstances including expert evidence and submitted its report to the government of India recommending revision of pay scales in various government departments