2009 Supreme(Raj) 1484
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT
Mohammad Rafiq, J.
Sita Ram Meena - Appellant
Versus
Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha and anr. - Respondent
S.B. Civil Writ Petition Nos. 510 and 511 of 1995.
Decided On : 27-01-2009
Advocates:
For the Petitioner:Mr. Ganesh Meena, Advocate.
For the Respondents:Mr. J.P. Goyal, Advocate.
Headnote:Constitution of India, Art. 16 – The order of reduction of pay on account of correction of mistake was set aside – without affording reasonable opportunity of hearing no correction of mistakes except clerical can be made.
JUDGMENT
1. - These two writ petitions have been filed by the petitioners challenging the order dated 3/6.12.1994 (Ann. 4 in both the writ petitions) by which respondents reduced their pay scale from Rs. 775-12-871- EB-14-1025 to that of Rs. 750-12-870-FB-14-940. Learned counsel argued that the respondents called name of some persons from the Employment Exchange Jaipur for the post of Attendant in pay scale of Rs. 775-12-871- EB-14-1025; thereupon, names of the petitioners were sponsored by Employment Exchange Jaipur and, thereafter, respondent No.2 issued an interview letter to the petitioners to appear for interview on 30/3/1991 at 10.00 a.m. and when they were selected, offer of appointment was given to them as per memorandum dated 9/5/1991. Apart from other service conditions. it was clearly indicated therein that they would be appointed at the initial pay of Rs. 775/- per month in the scale of Rs 775-12-871-EB-14-1025 and that they would also be entitled to get dearness allowance as per the rates admissible under the condition laid down in the rules and orders governing the dearness allowance from time to time as applicable to the servants of Central Government. Learned counsel argued that when petitioners accepted the offer of appointment, appointment order was received on 30/5/1991 clearly indicating therein that their appointment would be made at the basic pay of Rs. 775/- per month in the pay scale of Rs. 775-12--871-EB-14-1025 with the usual allowances admissible under the rules. Copies of these orders are on record. Suddenly however, respondents vide order dated 3/6.12.1994 arbitrarily reduced the pay scale of the petitioners from Rs. 775-12--871- EB-14-1025 to that of Rs. 750-20-12-870-EB- 14-940 on the plea that incorrect pay scale was inadvertently indicated in order dated 13/5/1991. It was argued that when the offer of appointment was given to the petitioners in the scale of Rs. 775-12-871-EB-14-1025 and accordingly acting upon offer of appointment, petitioners accepted the appointment and appointment order was also issued in that scale, now, changing the pay scale would tantamount to change of the condition of service. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the impugned order was passed without providing any opportunity of hearing to the petitioners and without indicating therein that their does not exist any vacant post in the scale of Rs. 775-12-871-EB-14-1025. Learned counsel citing from documents placed on record by respondents in there additional affidavit submitted that the post of Attendant was also there in the scale of Rs. 775-12-871-EB-14-1025 and in that, there can be no cause of confusion because in the cadre structure of respondents, the post of Attendant (Survey)/Cook/Daftry falls in the pay scale of Rs. 750-12-870-EB-14-940. The impugned order he therefore quashed and set aside.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioners in support of his contention, placed reliance on the judgment of the Division Bench of this Court in UOI & Anr. v. Nathi Lal Anr, 2004 WLC (Raj.) UC 219 .
3. Per contra, Shri J.P. Goyal, learned counsel for the respondents opposed the writ petitions and argued that pay scale of Rs. 775-12-871-EB-14-1025 was applicable to the post higher than the post of Attendant (Survey)/Cook/Daftry. The mistake occurred at the clerical level while issuing the appointment order. Learned counsel submitted that the post of Attendant simply carries the pay scale of Rs. 750-12-870-EB-14-940. He in this connection referred to the office Order No. 1585 dated 8/12/1986. It was a simple case of clerical mistake therefore opportunity of hearing was not required to be given. Learned counsel submitted that if the petitioner is allowed to draw his salary in that very pay scale, this would become a wrong precedent in other cases also. He in this connection, relied on the judgment of this court in Abdul Salam & Anr. v. Maharana Pratap University & Ors., 2004 WLC (Raj.) UC 621 .
4. Consideration of the a
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