Anil Dehingia and 18 Ors v. The State of Assam and 5 Ors

ORDER Date : 01.08.2023

Heard Mr. J. Patowary, learned counsel for the petitioner as well as Mr. D.P Borah, learned standing counsel for the Health Department appearing for respondent nos. 1, 3, 4 to 6 and Mr. A. Chaliha, learned standing counsel for the Finance Department, appearing for respondent no. 2.

¶2The petitioners claim that they were appointed as wage earner by the Superintendent of the Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh (AMCH, Dibrugarh for short) for running various services in the AMCH, Dibrugarh. The petitioners had approached this Court seeking a direction upon the respondent authorities to pay them monthly salary pay Band-I-Rs.12000-37500 + Grade Pay of Rs.3900/-. It is not in dispute that the petitioners are being paid fixed pay of Rs.9000/- per month. The learned counsel for the petitioners has invoked the principle of equal work equal pay and by placing reliance on the decision of the Division Bench of this Court in the case of State of Assam Vs. Upen Das and Ors., 2020 (5) GLT 605 by which this Court while holding that the respondents therein may not entitle for regularization of services with consequential benefits, directed the State Government to pay minimum of pay scale to the muster roll Page No.# 8/9 workers/ work charge workers and similarly placed employee workings since last 10 years (not in sanctioned post) w.e.f. 01.08.2017.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioners has submitted that in the present case in hand, the petitioners have served the AMCH, Dibrugarh for more than 10 years. The learned counsel for the petitioners has also referred to another decision by the coordinate Bench of this Court in the case of Jadumoni Nath & Ors. Vs. State of Assam and Ors., WP(C) 7711/2016 decided on

10.11.2022 where set of similarly situated employees were also granted the benefit flowing from the decision of this Court in the case of Upen Das (supra).

¶4On facts, the contention of the petitioner is not opposed by the learned standing counsel for the Health Department. Therefore, it is not disputed by the State that the petitioners are serving as wage earners in AMCH, Dibrugarh in various capacities like Ward Boys, Chowkidar, Ayah, Peon and Female Sweeper, etc. and it is also not in dispute that the petitioners are being paid fixed pay of Rs.9000/- per month.

¶5The learned counsel for the petitioners has referred to forwarding letter, bearing no. MCH/2021/2539 dated 02.12.2021 (Annexure-11) to project that the Superintendent of Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh has already submitted a proposal to the Director of Medical Education, Assam to move the government for enhancement of the salary of 19 number of wage earners under the pay Band-I - Rs.12000-37500 + Grade Pay of Rs.3900/- along with the list of the 19 wage earners.

¶6Accordingly, in view of the ratio laid down in the case of Upen Das (supra) and Jadumoni Nath (supra), the Court is of the considered opinion that Page No.# 9/9 the petitioners would be entitled to the benefit flowing out of those cases. Accordingly, the Court is inclined to dispose of this writ petition be giving liberty to the petitioners to submit individual representations to the Superintendent of Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh with regard to their claim for payment of minimum scale of pay. Such representations shall be submitted within a period of 2(two) weeks and the Superintendent of Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh shall forward the same to the Director of Medical Education, Assam so as to enable the concerned respondent authorities in the Directorate of Medical Education, Assam, the Finance (EC-II) Department and the Health and Family Welfare Department, Govt. of Assam to take an appropriate decision either on the said representations or in respect of the hereinbefore referred letter no. MCH/2021/2539 dated 02.12.2021 (Annexure-11) by the Superintendent of Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh addressed to the Director of Medical Education, Assam within an outer period of 3(three) months from the date of submission of the certified copy of this order to the Superintendent of Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh.

¶7Accordingly, this writ petition stands allowed to the extent as indicated above.

¶8There shall be no order as to cost.

JUDGE Comparing Assistant

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