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2020 Supreme(Guj) 170

IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
SONIA GOKANI, J.
Botad Municipality Through Chief Officer - Appellant
Versus
Bhimjibhai Ramjibhai Dhandhal - Respondent
Special Civil Application No. 13959 of 2010
Decided On : 09-01-2020

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellant : Mr. Premal R Joshi(1327)
For the Respondent: Mr. DG Shukla(1998)

Headnote:

Constitution of India - Article 226 - Writ Petition - Gujarat Municipalities Act, 1963 - Petitioner approached this Court through its Chief Officer challenging the validity and legality of the award passed by the Industrial Tribunal, Bhavnagar in Reference (IT), whereby the Court had given the direction to the petitioner to give the difference in the pay scale to the respondent for his having held the additional charge of the Light Inspector, while continued to have worked as wireman. The respondent worked on a permanent post of a wireman in Botad Municipality. Person, who held the post of Light Inspector retired and, therefore, the respondent had been given the charge of the Light Inspector and he continued to hold the said charge till he attained the age of superannuation. After having worked for 2 years as a Light Inspector, while continuing to hold his own charge of a wireman, he had preferred a Reference(IT), where oral evidence came to be adduced by the respondent. He was also cross-examined and the petitioner chose not to adduce any oral evidence. Held - Resultantly, this petition deserves no entertainment, confirming the judgment and award being Reference (IT). Let the entire amount with all consequential benefits as directed be paid to the respondent within eight weeks from the date of receipt of the copy of this order- Petition stands dismissed.

Facts of the Case:

Petitioner approached this Court through its Chief Officer challenging the validity and legality of the award passed by the Industrial Tribunal, Bhavnagar in Reference (IT), whereby the Court had given the direction to the petitioner to give the difference in the pay scale to the respondent for his having held the additional charge of the Light Inspector, while continued to have worked as wireman. The respondent worked on a permanent post of a wireman in Botad Municipality.

Finding of the Court:

Resultantly, this petition deserves no entertainment, confirming the judgment and award being Reference (IT). Let the entire amount with all consequential benefits as directed be paid to the respondent within eight weeks from the date of receipt of the copy of this order.

Result: Petition stands dismissed.

ORDER :

1. Petitioner is a Municipality constituted under the provisions of Gujarat Municipalities Act, 1963. This petitioner approached this Court through its Chief Officer challenging the validity and legality of the award dated 30.04.2010 passed by the Industrial Tribunal, Bhavnagar in Reference (IT) No.50 of 1996, whereby the Court had given the direction to the petitioner to give the difference in the pay scale from 20.07.1996 to 06.10.2009 to the respondent for his having held the additional charge of the Light Inspector, while continued to have worked as wireman. The respondent worked on a permanent post of a wireman in Botad Municipality. Person, who held the post of Light Inspector retired and, therefore, the respondent had been given the charge of the Light Inspector on 23.07.1996 and he continued to hold the said charge till he attained the age of superannuation on 31.10.2013. After having worked for 2 years as a Light Inspector, while continuing to hold his own charge of a wireman, he had preferred a Reference(IT) No.50 of 1996, where oral evidence came to be adduced by the respondent. He was also crossexamined and the petitioner chose not to adduce any oral evidence. After availing the opportunities to the parties, the Court partially allowed the Reference and directed, as stated above.

2. This has aggrieved the petitioner Municipality which is before this Court seeking following reliefs:

    “9. On the above grounds and those may be urged at the time of hearing of this petition, the petitioner prays that:

(A) Your Lordships will be pleased to admit and allow the present petition;

(B) Your Lordships will be pleased to issue a writ of certiorari or a writ in the nature of certiorari or any other appropriate writ, order or direction quashing and setting aside the award dated 30.4.2010 passed by the learned Industrial Tribunal, Bhavnagar below Exh.42 in Reference (IT) No.50 of 1996 at Annexure-A to this petition;

(C) Pending admission and final disposal of this petition, Your Lordships will be pleased to stay the implementation, execution and operation of the award dated 30.4.2010 passed by the learned Industrial Tribunal, Bhavnagar below Exh.42 in Reference (IT) No.50 of 1996 at Annexure-A to this petition;

(D) Such other and further relief that is just, fit and expedient in the facts and circumstances of the case may be granted.”

3. The affidavit-in-reply is filed by the respondent employee, who has urged inter alia that he joined the service of Municipality since 1977 as a permanent wireman in the Light Department. There was permanent set up of two Wiremen. The respondent as well as another Wiremen viz. Shri Devayatbhai were the two permanent Wiremen and the respondent was the senior most wireman. There were about five daily waged wiremen and permanent set up of one Light Inspector. Upto 1994, Shri Batukray M. Devmurari was working as permanent Light Inspector and on attaining the age of superannuation, he was relieved from services in December, 1994. The respondent was given the charge of Light Inspector w.e.f. 30.11.1994 and he was also ordered to be paid the charge allowance w.e.f. 1.12.1994 vide Office Order issued by the petitioner Municipality dated 05.12.1994.

3.1. The respondent also possessed more educational qualification than the earlier Light Inspector Shri Batukray M. Devmurari. The respondent has passed Second Class Wireman Examination as well as he has passed 8th Standard examination.

3.2. The respondent was initially given the charge allowance of Rs.200/-per month and, thereafter, he was paid Rs.300/- per month. There are about 12 to 13 employees working in the Electrical Department. There are 05 wiremen, 91 clerks, 3 ladder-men etc. including the respondent herein, of which two wiremen are permanent. There were about 1500 light poles, but, at present there are about 5500 light poles as well as 03 high mass towers and around 400 T' lights on the divider of the roads. As Light Inspector, the respondent has been

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