Manash Ranjan Pathak, J.

Heard Mr. Zochhuana, learned or counsel, assisted by Mr. Lalchhanliana Khiangte learned counsel appearing for the petitioners. Also heard Ms. Melody L. Pachuau, learned Government Advocate, Mizoram appearing for the State respondent Nos. 1 to 5.

2. The petitioners are working as teachers and lecturers in various educational institutions of the state. Petitioner Nos. 1 to 6 are serving in various Government Middle Schools and High schools of the State, whereas the petitioner Nos. 7 to 22 are serving in different ad-hoc aided schools of the State. The petitioners obtained their B.Ed. degrees from Bharatiya Shiksha Parishad of Uttar Pradesh in a distant mode from the State.

3. As per the rules in force in the State, teachers/lecturers in schools with B.Ed./M.Ed. Degrees as trained teachers are entitled for higher scale of pay (trained scale) than their counter parts who do not possess said B.Ed./M.Ed. degrees. After obtaining their B.Ed. degrees, the petitioners approached the State respondents in the School Education Department for acceptance of their B.Ed. degree and to pay them higher scale of pay.

4. However, the respondents in the School Edu