Court ruled contractual roles do not warrant claims to regular pay scales despite longstanding service, emphasizing adherence to explicit employment terms.

JUDGMENT :

1. This Writ Appeal assails the order dated 21.04.2025 passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P.No.32364 of 2017, whereby the Writ Petition filed by respondent No.1 herein (writ petitioner) was allowed, directing the appellants herein to grant the writ petitioner the pay scale of an Associate Professor under the UGC Pay Scales of 2006 with subsequent revision along with arrears.

2. Heard Sri A.P.Suresh, learned counsel for the appellants and Sri P.V.Ramana, learned counsel for respondent No.1 and perused the record.

Factual Matrix (in brief)

3. The factual background, necessary for the adjudication of this appeal, is as follows:

i) Respondent No.1 herein/writ petitioner (hereafter "the petitioner") applied for the post of Director in response to an advertisement in the Hindu Daily dated 22.08.2006 (Ex.P-1). However, he was appointed as Coordinator, 21^st Century Gurukulams under the Consortium of Institutions of Higher Learning (hereafter “CIHL”), vide proceedings dated 20.01.2007. His appointment was on a consolidated salary which is equivalent to the starting pay of a Lecturer in the UGC 1996 scales of pay (Ex.P-2). The relevant portion of the order of appointment dated 20.01.2007 is extracted as under:

In pursuance of orders under reference cited, Sri B.N.V. Satyanarayana, Vice-Principal Anniebesant PG College, Khammam is appointed as Co-ordinator, 21st Century Gurukulatos, on a consolidated salary which is equivalent to the starting pay of a lecturer in the UGC 1996 scales of pay (DP merged Rs.8000-16000). Nature of works, period of appointment etc., will be decided by the Governing Council of CIHL The appointment shall come into force from the date of reporting to the duty.

ii) The Governing Council of CIHL, as per the minutes of the meeting on 08.03.2007 (Ex.P-3), ratified the following:

10. Ratifications:

The following issues have been ratified by the members of governing council of CIHL:

a. A consolidate amount of Rs.23,000 (Twenty three thousands) will be paid as monthly salary to the Directors apart from free accommodation and boarding. (The above salary is fixed to keep parity with Associate Professor in the UGC-1996 scales of pay (D A merged) HRA is not included since accommodation is provided).

b. A consolidated amount of Rs.10,000/-, Rs.8000/- and Rs.4000/- will be paid to Associate IT Mentor, Assistant IT Mentor and Teaching IT Mentor respectively.

C. Mr BNV Satyanarayana is appointed as Coordinator of 21th Century Gurukulam. He will be paid salary on par with the Directors of Gurukulam.

d. Mr Praveen, Principal Mentor of IIIT, has been appointed as Director academic for 21th Century Gurukulam to advice and assist the Chairman of Consortium of Institutions of Higher Learning in day to day functioning of the gurukulam. He will continue to draw salary and other perks from the parent institution (IIIT)

c. An allowance of Rs.500/- will be paid to 'Resident Mentors' who perform duties on Public Holidays, and Sundays at Gurukulams Centre.

As seen from the above, the said meeting held on 08.03.2007 ratified that the petitioner would be paid a salary on par with the Directors of the Gurukulams, which was fixed at Rs.23,000/- (later noted that a sum of Rs. 25,000/- was paid since January, 2007 in the meeting on 29.02.2012), a sum intended to be in parity with the pay of an Associate Professor under UGC 1996 scales. It was also stated that Directors were provided free accommodation and boarding in lieu of HRA.

iii) Subsequently, the Governing Council as per th