The principle of equal pay for equal work under Articles 14 and 39(d) of the Constitution mandates that employees performing similar duties be compensated equally, regardless of title discrepancies.

1.The petitioners, by way of present petition, have prayed for the following substantive reliefs:

“(i) That the respondents may be directed to pay to the applicants salary in the scale of Rs.4400-7000 w.e.f. 01.01.1996 and Rs.1350-2400 w.e.f. 01.01.1986 with all consequential benefits.

(ii) That the respondents may also be directed to pay to the applicants the arrears due and admissible to them as a result of the relief at Sr. No.(i) above. They may also be directed to pay interest @18% per annum on the arrears of salary.”

2. The petitioners have averred in the petition that they are working as Laboratory Attendants with the respondents and are presently working at Government High Schools/Government Senior Secondary Schools/Government Colleges in the respondent Department. The post of Laboratory Attendant was re-designated as Senior Laboratory Attendant when the pay scales of Laboratory Attendants were revised on the Punjab pattern, and they were given the scale of Rs.950-1800 w.e.f. 01.01.1986. Further, the scale was revised to Rs.3120-5160 w.e.f. 01.01.1996 and, at present, they are getting the salary in the said pay scale.

3. Vide memo dated 01.01.1990, respondent No.2 wrote a letter to all the Principals of Government Colleges seeking clarification regarding duties and responsibilities of Laboratory Staff in the Colleges. It has been mentioned in the said letter that a confusion has been created in some Colleges in respect of the responsibilities and duties as per the duty norms and it is clarified in the said letter that there is no change in the nature of duties as already defined in spite of change in classification of certain categories of employees. Vide this letter, suggestions were also sought for modification, if any. Communication dated 30.10.1964, whereby the norms were formulated is also annexed with this letter. As per the norms dated 30.10.1964, the duties of Junior Lecturer Assistant and Laboratory Attendant are as under:

“Duties of the Junior Lecturer Assistant:

1. He will be personally responsible for the Laboratory, its equipment and its general upkeep.

2. He will personally look after the maintenance of expensive App. (requiring technical care) in particular and ordinary apparatus in general.

3. He will be responsible for the lying of equipment in the Labs. Or in the fields or trips. In case of Music Deptt. he will keep all the instruments turned and in perfect order before every practical.

4. He will arrange the apparatus etc. needed for the lecture work.

5. He will assist the Senior Lecturer Assistant in annual stock checking and in work regarding purchase of Apparatus locally or otherwise.

6. He will see that the electric fans and lights, water taps and gas taps are not used necessarily and wastefully in the rooms and labs. under.

Duties of Lab. Attendant:

2. He will dust the Labs, Museums Lecture rooms and other rooms in the Department concerned and shall personally clean sinks, Brasswares windowpane etc. In case of Zoology Deptt. the Lab. Attendant will chloroform and remove the dissected animals, when asked.

3. He will clean Glassware and ordinary equipment.

3. He will assist the Junior Lecturer Assistant in carrying the Apparatus etc. required for the lecture work and practical work.”

4. Thereafter, another communication dated 01.12.1993 was issued by resp