JUDGMENT :

KALYAN RAI SURANA, J.

1. Heard Dr. R. Sarma, learned counsel for the petitioners. Also heard Mr. D. Bora, learned Govt. Advocate appearing for respondent nos. 1 and 3 and Mr. A. Chaliha, learned standing counsel for the respondent no. 2.

2. The case of the petitioners is that they were appointed in the establishment of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs through a selection process initiated by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC). At present, the petitioners are holding the post of Cultural Development Officers (earlier designated as “Officer-in-charge”), under the Cultural Affairs Department, Govt. of Assam. By referring to the Revision of Pay Rules (RoP for short), 1998, it is projected that the Officer-in-charge of various cultural centres were earlier drawing pay-scale of Rs.620.0025-745-EB-30-895-EB-35-1315, which was revised to pay-scale starting from Rs.1375.00. The same pay scale was payable to Officer-incharge, District Museum under the Directorate of Museum, Assam as per RoP, 1990. However, as per the RoP, 1998, the Officer-in-charge of different cultural centres under the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Assam were entitled to payscale commencing from Rs.3