JUDGMENT

R.V. Raveendran, J. —

The appellant was promoted as a lineman, a group ‘C’ post, in the Lakshadweep Electricity department, on 2.2.1985. The pay scale of lineman was initially Rs.85-2-95-3-110 which was revised to Rs.210-4-226-EB-4-250-EB-5-290. The pay scale was further revised to Rs.800-15-1010-EB-20-1150 as per Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 1986 (for short ‘Revised Pay Rules’). The appellant gave a representation dated 1.10.1994 requesting a higher pay scale. He contended that as the post of lineman was classified as a group C post, he should be given the benefit of the minimum of the pay scales prescribed for group ‘C’ posts under the Revised Pay Rules, that is Rs.825-15-900-EB-20-1200.

2. By Office Memorandum dated 9.8.1995 the respondent rejected the representation of appellant for grant of the higher pay scale of Rs.825-1200. The said memorandum stated that though the post of lineman was a group ‘C’ post, the revised pay scale applicable to the said post was that which corresponded to pre-revision pay-scale of Rs.210-290 drawn by linemen and therefore appellant was entitled only to the revised pay scale of Rs.800-1150. It was also stated that the dutie