JUDGMENT :

Heard Mr. R. Iralu, learned Sr. counsel for the petitioners assisted by Mr. L. Iralu, learned counsel and Mr. E. Thiba Phom, learned Government Advocate for the State respondents.

2. The present writ petition has been filed by the petitioners invoking the principle of equal pay for equal work.

3. The petitioners are all presently serving as Ex-cadre/contingency Dobashis (DBs) under the establishment of the Deputy Commissioner in the following districts namely, i) Dimapur, ii) Kiphire, iii) Tuensang, iv) Zunheboto, v) Longleng & vi) Peren. The petitioners were appointed in between the year 1997 to 2014. The petitioners are all paid a fixed amount of Rs. 6940/-(Rupees Six thousand nine hundred and forty only) per month after deducting the professional tax of Rs. 110/-.

4. That the recruitment of DBs in the State is regulated by the scheme brought out in the Office Memorandum No. CNE-1/GEN/2015/154, dated 14/09/2018. The said O.M is the guideline for recruitment of Grade-III & IV employees under the District Administration in the State. Clause-2 of the O.M dated 14/09/2018 provides that 67% of the vacant posts are reserved for in-service candidates while 33% of the vacant posts