JUDGMENT :

Saral Srivastava, J.

1. The petitioners by means of present writ petition have prayed for the following relief:-

"(i) Issue writ, order or direction the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to grant sanction upgrading the petitioners' grade pay from Rs.1800/-to Rs.1900/-w.e.f. 16.11.2011 when the Mates of P.W.D. and other departments were extended the benefits of grade pay Rs.1900/-.

(ii) Issue writ, order, or direction in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to pay the arrears of upgraded grade pay since 16.11.2011 with interest till date of its actual payment and revise their pay/pension accordingly."

2. The case of the petitioners is that petitioner no.1 was appointed as Beldar on compassionate ground in January 1993 and was promoted on the post of Mate in the year 1999 and since then he is continuing in Muzafar Nagar Division Ganga Canal, Muzaffar Nagar. Petitioner no.2 was appointed as Mate on compassionate ground on 04.06.1990 in Tubewell Division. The petitioners no.3 to 13 were appointed as Mate on 21.02.2009, 20.01.1990, 09.05.1989, 10.02.2009, 22.01.2006, 05.02.2009, 30.07.2003, 20.02.2009, 11.02.2009, 09.06.2003 and 19.06.1995 respectively in M