1976 PLP 737 (PLC(CS))

The position of the Railway Administration is that its non-gazetted employees have not to wait for four years after reaching the maximum of their existing scale but their promotion is automatic. I see no reason as to why the employees of the Punjab Road Transport Board should riot enjoy the same benefits as have been allowed to the Railway seen. The duties performed by both the employees are more or less the same. 1, therefore, direct that the condition No. 7 as given in letter No. 159-RE G-73 dated 26-4-74 shall be waived and it shall read; "If an employee drawing pay in the National Pay Scale, reaches the maximum of his scale and is not meanwhile promoted to the higher post, he will be allowed the next higher pay scale with effect from Ist day of the December, of the year in which he has reached the maximum of his scale". The demand is accepted is the above terms. Demand No. 5.-The ad hoc relief which is being given at present be continued. The demand is not accepted. Instead of ad hoc relief the scheme of National Scale of Pay was introduced. No ad hoc relief can be granted in these circumstances. The demand is rejected. Demand No. 6.-,ill the workers who have been terminated, retired or dismissed may be allowed to draw arrears if any arrears accrue to them after fixing their pay in the National Scales of Pay from 1-3-1972. The demand is genuine. Accordingly, it is accepted. Demand No. 7.-All the unskilled workers who receive pay from Rs. 115 to Rs. 125 and whose allowances were discontinued illegally may be fixed in National Scale No. 5 i.e. 150-6-180-EB-8-280. The factual position is that part-time, daily rated, water carriers, sweepers coolies, manes, chowkidars, watchman, head watchman, cooks and rest house attendants fall in the above category of workers. Originally in its letter-dated 26-4-'73, the Board excluded them from the scheme of National Scales of Pay. However, on 11-6-73, they were included in the said scheme. In the schedule attached with the last letter, these employees are shown at No. 28 to

34. Their existing pay scales (i.e. on 1-3-72) are given below :- S. No. Name of category Existing pay scales. No. 28 Peon, Peon Orderly, Ferro 65-1-80 Operator. No. 29 Daftri 70-1-85 No. 30 Head Watchman 95-3-125 No. 31 Watchman 90-1-95 No. 32 Chowkidar, Water Carriers, 65-1-80 Mali, Coolies, Ward Servant, Cook, Rest House Attendants, Sweepers. S. No. Name of category Existing pay scales No. 33 Oiler, Greaser, Helper. 104-1-110 No. 34 Fuel Pump Attendant. 85-2-115 The tragedy with the above category of workers are that their pay was fixed very low and on two occasions the Minimum Wages Board had to fix their monthly salary. Firstly, their monthly salary was fixed in 1964 and thereafter their salary was fixed in 1969. The final position was that in 1969 the montly salary of unskilled workers was fixed as Rs. 125 The Transport Board started to pay them the same pay but excluded them from all fringe benefits. Prior to it they were being paid certain allowances but when the Minimum Wages Board fixed their minimum wages per month, all the allowances were discontinued. Again at the time of fixing their pay in the National Pay Scales, their grades were kept into view but actual pay being received by them was not considered. It was admitted before me by both the parties that none of these workers was receiving less than Rs. 125 on 1-3-72 as the same was the pay fixed by the Minimum Wages Board. 1, therefore, hold that their maximum scale was Rs. 125 on 1-3-72. In A accordance with the formula given in Annexure "A" of letter No. 159-REG-73 dated 26-4-73 all of them must be fixed in National Pay Scale No. 3 i.e., 120-3-150-EB-5-180 after applying the increase formula. The demand is accepted in the above terms. Demand No. 8 -House Rent to the employees working in sub-offices of the Government Transport Service, Lyallpur, be allowed. This demand was accepted by the Board in its letter No. 169-REG/73 dated 16-8-73. Accordingly this demand is accepted. Demand No. 9.-House Rent at the rate of 30 % of pay may be given. The Board is allowing rent at the rate of 15 % on the basic pay and the same is the policy of the Government. The demand is not genuine. It is rejected. Demands Nos. 10, 11 and 13.-Foreman 1, Foreman II and other workmen may be fixed in grade No. 10, 13 and 9 respectively. The formula given in the schedule has been correctly applied by the Board. The demand is not genuine. It is rejected. Demand No. 14. -Commission per trip, other fringe benefits and allowances may be continued to the traffic staff. The demand has already been accepted by the Board.