JUDGMENT :

1. Heard Sri M. Srikanth, learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Government Pleader for Services-II.

This writ petition has been filed for the following reliefs:

“It is hereby prayed that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to issue a Writ, Order of direction particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in not granting the petitioners minimum of time scale of pay attached to the post in which they are working along with increments, as revised from time to time as illegal, arbitrary, discriminatory and violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India as well as the law laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court as well as this Hon’ble Court and consequently direct the respondents to immediately grant them minimum of time scale of pay attached to the post in which they are working along with increments as revised from time to time and pass such order or orders may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case.”

2. The petitioners, 17 in number, were appointed in Panchyat Raj Department in various posts i.e. Sweeper, Tank Watcher, Fitter, relating to the Sanitation and Public Health from 1992 to 2018 on co