JUDGMENT

A.K. Mathur, J.—Leave granted in S.L.P. (C) No. 16359 of 2003.

2. All these cases involve common question of law and facts, therefore, they are disposed of by this common order.

3. In all these cases, the basic question involved is whether the respondents herein are entitled to the benefit of Rule 4.4. of the Punjab Civil Services Rules (hereinafter to be referred to as the “Rules”), Volume-I, Part-I or not ?

4. For convenient disposal of these cases, the brief facts given in C.A. No. 6305 of 2004 [State of Haryana & Anr. Vs. Tarlochan Lal & Ors.] are taken into consideration. The writ petitioners were appointed as J.B.T. teachers in the Haryana Education Department. They acquired higher qualifications of B.A./Inter B.Ed. during the course of their service. A notification was issued on 23.7.1957 to the effect that the teachers who have acquired higher qualifications shall be granted higher grade. The writ petitioners who acquired higher qualification were given the grade of Social Study Master and subsequently when they were promoted as Social Study Master they were granted one increment on account of discharge of higher responsibility from the date of promotion as Social Stud