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High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeDisposed of in favor of the petitioners; the co...

WP(C).No.33863/2006(F) & WP(C).No.33927/2006, High Court of Kerala (Ernakulam)

Case / Petition Number:WP(C).No.33863/2006(F) & WP(C).No.33927/2006

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • K.K. Denesan
Judgment Date
2007-03-16
Court Decision / Holding
Petitions disposed of by common judgment. It was held that petitioners who commenced regular service prior to 1-10-1994 are entitled to reckon their provisional service in the same post for the limited purpose of grant of increments. The court directed the 3rd respondent to reckon the petitioners’ provisional service for increments and to disburse the monetary benefits within three months from the date of receipt of a copy of the judgment.
Final Disposition
Disposed of in favor of the petitioners; the court directed reckoning of provisional service for increments and payment of corresponding monetary benefits within three months; common judgment for both WP(C).Nos.33863 & 33927 of 2006.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Padmaja. C.
  • Prasanna Kumari. T.M.
  • M.K.Santhakumari
  • P.K. Prasan nakumari
  • V.B. Latha
  • M. Laila
  • Premakumari P.
  • T.R. Premakumari
  • K. Suharabi
  • Lakshmi K.C.
  • Radhamkumari
  • N.N. Ushadevi
  • Lakshmi. P.
  • Indiradevi P.P.
  • Radha. M.
  • ZAINABA T.
  • GIRIJA. T.
  • V. Devaki
  • K.U. Susamma
  • SALY THOMAS
  • GEETHA. P.
  • LUCY JOHN
  • P.T. VIJAYALAKSHMI
  • LEELAVATHI N.P.
  • VASUMATHI. N.
  • ZAINA P.P.
  • MADHAVIA. E.
  • K. SARADA
  • B. SASIKALA
  • C.K. PUSHPALATHA
  • VAHEEDAS RAHMAN
  • R. SOBHANAKUMARI
  • K. MADHAVI
  • C.V. PUSHPAVALLY
  • KALLIANI. V.
  • DEVAKI. C.
  • SOBHANA. C.K.
  • K.P. SREEDEVI
  • AYISHAKUTTY P.
  • M.K. SHEELA
  • CHANDRIKA BABY
  • N. SHEELA
  • PREMALATHA. P.
  • K. SANTHA
  • A. SAROJINI
  • REJINI DEVI T.
  • E. RUGMINI
  • PADMINI. N.A.
  • K.S. JAYASREE
  • SREEDEVI. R.
  • K. NIRMALA
  • T. THANKAN

Respondents

  • State of Kerala, represented by the Secretary to Government, Department of Health and Family Welfare Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram
  • The Director of Health Services, Thiruvananthapuram
  • The District Medical Officer of Health, Manjeri, Malappuram District

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Sri. T. A. Shaji
  • • Smt. Neema
  • • Smt. Ragam S. Mohan

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Sri. P. Nandakumar

Case Synopsis & Summary

Petitioners, a group of Junior Public Health Nurses in Malappuram district, challenged the District Medical Officer of Health, Manjeri (3rd respondent) for not counting their provisional service for the purpose of increments. The petitions seek counts of provisional service in the same posts prior to regularisation under the Government Decision No.2 below Rule 33 of Part I Kerala Service Rules, for grant of increments. The respondents—State of Kerala, Director of Health Services, and the District Medical Officer—argue that pay scales were revised and the difference between provisional and regular posts constitutes disparity, thus barring the increments. The matter was heard in a common judgment with WP(C).No.33927/2006; the court cites Hussain v. Kerala Water Authority (1996(2) KLT 555) to address pay scale revision versus disparity. The court holds that petitioners who commenced regular service before 1 October 1994 are entitled to count their provisional service in the same post for the limited purpose of increments. It directs the 3rd respondent to reckon their provisional service for increments and to disburse the resulting monetary benefits within three months from receipt of a copy of the judgment. The judgment thus provides relief to the petitioners and resolves the common grievance through a favorable order.

Provisions of Law Cited

Rule 33 of Part I Kerala Service RulesGovernment Decision No.2 below Rule 33 of Part I Kerala Service Rules

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Pay scale revision does not constitute disparity for increments (as laid down in Hussain v. Kerala Water Authority)

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners contended that they commenced regular service prior to 1 October 1994 and therefore their provisional service in the same posts should be counted for the limited purpose of grant of increments under Government Decision No.2 below Rule 33 of Part I Kerala Service Rules; they sought appropriate increments and resulting monetary benefits.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents contended that the revision of pay scales creates a disparity scenario; the impugned orders reflect a difference in pay scales between provisional and regular posts, and therefore increments could not be granted; they relied on the statutory framework and prior precedents (as cited) to deny counting provisional service.

Cited Precedents (1)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Hussain v. Kerala Water Authority1996(2) KLT 555PositiveCited as authority that pay scale revision does not constitute disparity for the purpose of increments; the Division Bench’s principle is relied upon to justify counting increments despite pay scale revisions.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT :** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.K.DENESAN** **FRIDAY, THE 16TH MARCH 2007 / 25TH PHALGUNA 1928** **WP(C).No. 33863 of 2006(F)** **---------------------------------** **PETITIONERS:** - **----------------** **1. PADMAJA. C., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC AMARAMBALAM, P.O.KAVALAMUKKATTA, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **2. PRASANNA KUMARI. T.M. JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC EDAKKARA, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **3. M.K.SANTHAKUMARI, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC THRIKKALANGODE, MANCHAPATTA P.O., MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **4. P.K. PRASANNAKUMARI, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC MANKADA, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **5. V.B. LATHA, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC WANDOOR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **6. M. LAILA, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC PANDIKKAD, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **7. PREMAKUMARI P., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC MELATTUR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **8. T.R. PREMAKUMARI, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC MAMPAD, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **9. K. SUHARABI, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC MAMPAD, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **(.....2)** **-: 2 :-** **10. LAKSHMI K.C., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC EDAVANNA, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **11. RADHAMKUMARI, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC PANDIKKAD, MALAPPLURAM DISTRICT.** **12. N.N. USHADEVI, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC KARUVARAKKUNDU, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **13. LAKSHMI. P., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC THIRUVALI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **14. INDIRADEVI P.P., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC EDAVANNA, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **15. RADHA. M., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC EDAVANNA, MALAPURAM DISTRICT.** **16. ZAINABA T., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC CHEACODE, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **17. GIRIJA. T., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC URANGATTIRI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **18. V. DEVAKI, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC WANDOOR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **19. K.U. SUSAMMA, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC WANDOOR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **20. SALY THOMAS, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC PORUR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **21. GEETHA. P., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC KALIKAVU, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **22. LUCY JOHN, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC KALIKAVU, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **23. P.T. VIJAYALAKSHMI, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC CHOKKAD, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **24. LEELAVATHI N.P., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC PORUR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **(......3)** **-: 3 :-** **25. VASUMATHI. N., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, TALUK HEAD QUARTERS HOSPITAL, NILAMBUR.** **26. ZAINA P.P., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC KONDOTTY, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **27. MADHAVIA. E., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC KONDOTTY, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **28. K. SARADA, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC THRIKKALANGODE, MANCHAPATTA P.O., MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **29. B. SASIKALA, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC PANDIKKAD, PANDIKKAD P.O., MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **30. C.K. PUSHPALATHA, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC MORAYUR, MORAYUR P.O., MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **31. VAHEEDAS RAHMAN, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC KARULAI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **32. R. SOBHANAKUMARI, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC KONDOTTY, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **33. K. MADHAVI, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC ELANKUR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **34. C.V. PUSHPAVALLY, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC KONDOTTY, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **35. KALLIANI. V., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC NEDIYIRUPPU, CHIRAYIL P.O., MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **36. DEVAKI. C., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC POOKKOTTUR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **37. SOBHANA. C.K., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC NEDIYIRUPPU, CHIRAYI P.O., MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **38. K.P. SREEDEVI, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC THIRUVALI, PUNNAPPALA P.O., MALAPPLURAM DISTRICT.** **(......4)** ## **-: 4 :-** **39. AYISHAKUTTY P., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC ANAKKAYAM, KADAMBODE P.O., MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **40. M.K. SHEELA, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC EDAVANNA, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **41. CHANDRIKA BABY, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC VAZHIKKADAVU, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **42. N. SHEELA, JUNIOR HEALTH NURSE, TALUK HEADQUARTERS HOSPITAL, TIRUR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **43. PREMALATHA. P., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC THANALUR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **44. K. SANTHA, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC CHEEKKODE, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **45. A. SAROJINI, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC KONDOTTY, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **46. REJINI DEVI T., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC KONDOTTY, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **47. E. RUGMINI, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC PANG, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **48. PADMINI. N.A., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC KALIKAVU, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **49. K.S. JAYASREE, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC OZHUR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **50. SREEDEVI. R., JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC OZHUR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **51. K. NIRMALA, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC VETTAM, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **52. T. THANKAN, JUNIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, PHC TRIPRANGODE, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **BY ADV. SRI.T.A.SHAJI SMT.T.V.NEEMA** **SMT.RAGAM.S.MOHAN** **(.....5)** **RESPONDENTS:** ## **-: 5 :-** ## **-----------------** **1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMESNT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** **2. THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** ## **3. THE DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICER OF** **HEALTH, MANJERI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT.** **BY GOVT. PLEADER SHRI.P.NANDAKUMAR.** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 16/03/2007, ALONG WITH WP(C).No.33927/2006, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** ## **WP(C).No.33863/2006.** ## **' - Petitioners Exhibits:** - **P1: Copy of the representation dtd.30-6-2006 filed by the 1[st] petitioner before the 3[rd] respondent.** - **P2: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 1[st] petitioner.** - **P3: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 2[nd] petitioner.** - **P4: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 3[rd] petitioner.** - **P5: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 4[th] petitioner.** - **P6: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 5[th] petitioner.** - **P7: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 6[th] petitioner.** - **P8: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 7[th] petitioner.** - **P9: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 8[th] petitioner.** - **P10: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 9[th] petitioner.** - **P11: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 10[th] petitioner.** - **P12: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 11[th] petitioner.** **(.......2)** - **WP(C).No.33863/2006. -: 2 :-** - **P13: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 12[th] petitioner.** - **P14: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 13[th] petitioner.** - **P15: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 14[th] petitioner.** - **P16: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 15[th] petitioner.** - **P17: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 16[th] petitioner.** - **P18: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 17[th] petitioner.** - **P19: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 18[th] petitioner.** - **P20: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 19[th] petitioner.** - **P21: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 20[th] petitioner.** - **P22: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 21[st] petitioner.** - **P23: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 22[nd] petitioner.** - **P24: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 23[rd] petitioner.** - **P25: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 24[th] petitioner.** **(.......3)** ## **WP(C).No.33863/2006. -: 3 :-** - **P26: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 25[th] petitioner.** - **P27: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 26[th] petitioner.** - **P28: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 27[th] petitioner.** - **P29: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 28[th] petitioner.** - **P30: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 29[th] petitioner.** - **P31: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 30[th] petitioner.** - **P32: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 31[st] petitioner.** - **P33: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 32[nd] petitioner.** - **P34: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 33[rd] petitioner.** - **P35: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 34[th] petitioner.** - **P36: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 35[th] petitioner.** - **P37: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 36[th] petitioner.** - **P38: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 37[th] petitioner.** **(......4)** ## **WP(C).No.33863/2006. -: 4 :-** - **P39: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 38[th] petitioner.** - **P40: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 39[th] petitioner.** - **P41: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 40[th] petitioner.** - **P42: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 41[st] petitioner.** - **P43: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 42[nd] petitioner.** - **P44: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 43[rd] petitioner.** - **P45: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 44[th] petitioner.** - **P46: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 45[th] petitioner.** - **P47: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 46[th] petitioner.** - **P48: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 47[th] petitioner.** - **P49: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 48[th] petitioner.** - **P50: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 49[th] petitioner.** - **P51: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 50[th] petitioner.** **(.........5)** **WP(C).No.33863/2006. -: 5 :-** **P52: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 51[st] petitioner.** **P53: Copy of the Order No.A4/16102/06 18-8-2006 of the 3[rd] respondent issued to the 52[nd] petitioner.** **Respondents' Exhibits:Nil.** ## **-// true copy //-** **P.A. to Judge.** **kvs/-** ## **K.K.DENESAN, J.** ## **================================ WP(C).NOs.33863 & 33927 OF 2006. ================================** ## **Dated this the 16[th] day of March, 2007.** ## **J U D G M E N T** **The petitioners have approached this Court with a common grievance, and hence, these writ petitions are disposed of by this common judgment.** **2. In WP(C).No.33927/2006 there are 13 petitioners and in WP(C).No.33863/2006 there are 52 petitioners. They belong to the category of Junior Public Health Nurses. The order impugned is that of the District Medical Officer of Health, Manjeri, the 3[rd] respondent. The request made by the petitioners for counting provisional service for the limited purpose of granting increments stands rejected. The reason for rejection is that the pay scale of the post in which the petitioners had worked on provisional basis and the pay scale of the same post they are holding subsequently on regular basis are different.** **WP(C).NOs.33863 & 33927/2006.** 2 **2. The impugned orders show that the** **difference in the pay scale was brought about by the revision of pay scales. The question for consideration is not res integra. A Division Bench of this Court in** _**Hussain v. Kerala Water Authority**_ **(1996(2) KLT 555) has laid down the law that difference in the pay scales consequent on revision of pay scales shall not be treated as disparity while considering the claim for the grant of increments based on Government Decision No.2 below Rule 33 of Part I Kerala Service Rules.** **3. It is seen that the petitioners commenced regular service prior to 1-10-1994. That being the** **position, they are entitled to count their provisional service in the same post prior to their regularisation for the limited purpose of grant of increments. It is so declared. In the circumstances, there shall be an order directing the 3[rd] respondent to reckon the provisional service of the petitioners for the purpose of increments, work** **WP(C).NOs.33863 & 33927/2006.** 3 **out the monetary benefits due accordingly and disburse the same within three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.** **K.K.DENESAN, JUDGE.** **kvs/-**