Delhi High Court
South Delhi Municipal ... vs Rohtash Kumar & Ors. on 6 December, 2018
$~72 to 205 & 212
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Date of Order: December 06, 2018
1) + W.P.(C) 5770/2013 & CM APPL. 12738/2013
2) + W.P.(C) 64/2015 & CM APPL. 98/2015
3) + W.P.(C) 5489/2016 & CM APPL. 22858/2016
4) + W.P.(C) 6675/2013 & CM APPL.14509/2013
5) + W.P.(C) 6678/2013 & & CM APPL. 14512/2013
6) + W.P.(C) 6684/2013 & CM APPL. 14520/2013
7) + W.P.(C) 6689/2013 & CM APPL.14528/2013
8) + W.P.(C) 6692/2013 & CM APPL. 14542/2013
9) + W.P.(C) 7007/2013 & CM APPL. 15159/2013
10) + W.P.(C) 7679/2013 & CM APPL.16367/2013
11) + W.P.(C) 7689/2013 & CM APPL.16378/2013
12) + W.P.(C) 7694/2013 & CM APPL.16386/2013
13) + W.P.(C) 7696/2013 & CM APPL.16390/2013
14) + W.P.(C) 7796/2013 & CM APPL.16577/2013
15) + W.P.(C) 7797/2013 & CM APPL.16579/2013
16) + W.P.(C) 7803/2013 & CM APPL.16588/2013
17) + W.P.(C) 8108/2013 & CM APPL.17122/2013
18) + W.P.(C) 655/2014 & CM APPL.1318/2014
19) + W.P.(C) 697/2014 & CM APPL.1391/2014
20) + W.P.(C) 2677/2014 & CM APPL.5576/2014
21) + W.P.(C) 8614/2014 & CM APPL.19856/2014
22) + W.P.(C) 9273/2014 & CM APPL.21012/2014
23) + W.P.(C) 9295/2014 & CM APPL.21064/2014
24) + W.P.(C) 9331/2014 & CM APPL.21127/2014
25) + W.P.(C) 9355/2014 & CM APPL.21158/2014
26) + W.P.(C) 9391/2014 & CM APPL.21224/2014
27) + W.P.(C) 47/2015 & CM APPL.79/2015
28) + W.P.(C) 981/2015
29) + W.P.(C) 1020/2015 & CM APPL.1807/2015
30) + W.P.(C) 1838/2015 & CM APPL.3292/2015
W.P.(C) 5770/2013 & connected matters Page 1 of 18
31) + W.P.(C) 1839/2015 & CM APPL.3294/2015
32) + W.P.(C) 1840/2015 & CM APPL.3296/2015
33) + W.P.(C) 1841/2015 & CM APPL.3298/2015
34) + W.P.(C) 1843/2015 & CM APPL.3302/2015
35) + W.P.(C) 1844/2015 & CM APPL.3304/2015
36) + W.P.(C) 1846/2015 & CM APPL.3308/2015
37) + W.P.(C) 1847/2015 & CM APPL.3310/2015
38) + W.P.(C) 1848/2015 & CM APPL.3312/2015
39) + W.P.(C) 1849/2015 & CM APPL.3314/2015
40) + W.P.(C) 1850/2015
41) + W.P.(C) 1851/2015
42) + W.P.(C) 1852/2015 & CM APPL.3320/2015
43) + W.P.(C) 1857/2015 & CM APPL.3328/2015
44) + W.P.(C) 1858/2015 & CM APPL.3330/2015
45) + W.P.(C) 1859/2015 & CM APPL.3332/2015
46) + W.P.(C) 1864/2015 & CM APPL.3334/2015
47) + W.P.(C) 1865/2015 & CM APPL.3336/2015
48) + W.P.(C) 1866/2015 & CM APPL.3338/2015
49) + W.P.(C) 1867/2015 & CM APPL.3340/2015
50) + W.P.(C) 1869/2015 & CM APPL.3344/2015
51) + W.P.(C) 1870/2015 & CM APPL.3346/2015
52) + W.P.(C) 3946/2015 & CM APPL.7048/2015
53) + W.P.(C) 4483/2015 & CM APPL.8107/2015
54) + W.P.(C) 4488/2015 & CM APPL.8114/2015
55) + W.P.(C) 4501/2015 & CM APPL.8141/2015
56) + W.P.(C) 4502/2015 & CM APPL.8143/2015
57) + W.P.(C) 4503/2015 & CM APPL.8145/2015
58) + W.P.(C) 4823/2015 & CM APPL.8717-8718/2015
59) + W.P.(C) 4892/2015 & CM APPL.8856/2015
60) + W.P.(C) 4893/2015 & CM APPL.8858/2015
61) + W.P.(C) 4897/2015 & CM APPL.8864/2015
62) + W.P.(C) 5031/2015 & CM APPL.9082/2015
63) + W.P.(C) 5174/2015 & CM APPL.9383-9384/2015
64) + W.P.(C) 5176/2015 & CM APPL.9386-9387/2015
65) + W.P.(C) 5177/2015 & CM APPL. 9388-9389/2015
66) + W.P.(C) 5183/2015 & CM APPL. 9400-9401/2015
67) + W.P.(C) 5184/2015 & CM APPL. 9402-9403/2015
W.P.(C) 5770/2013 & connected matters Page 2 of 18
68) + W.P.(C) 5185/2015 & CM APPL. 9404-9405/2015
69) + W.P.(C) 5186/2015 & CM APPL. 9406-9407/2015
70) + W.P.(C) 5187/2015 & CM APPL. 9408-9409/2015
71) + W.P.(C) 5646/2015 & CM APPL. 10164/2015
72) + W.P.(C) 5871/2015 & CM APPL. 10572/2015
73) + W.P.(C) 5872/2015 & CM APPL. 10574/2015
74) + W.P.(C) 5873/2015 & CM APPL. 10576/2015
75) + W.P.(C) 5874/2015 & CM APPL. 10578/2015
76) + W.P.(C) 5875/2015 & CM APPL. 10580/2015
77) + W.P.(C) 5876/2015 & CM APPL. 10582/2015
78) + W.P.(C) 5877/2015 & CM APPL. 10584/2015
79) + W.P.(C) 5878/2015 & CM APPL. 10586/2015
80) + W.P.(C) 5879/2015 & CM APPL. 10588/2015
81) + W.P.(C) 5880/2015 & CM APPL. 10590/2015
82) + W.P.(C) 5881/2015 & CM APPL. 10592/2015
83) + W.P.(C) 6078/2015 & CM APPL. 11052/2015
84) + W.P.(C) 6086/2015 & CM APPL. 11066/2015
85) + W.P.(C) 6090/2015 & CM APPL. 11073/2015
86) + W.P.(C) 6097/2015 & CM APPL. 11084/2015
87) + W.P.(C) 6271/2015 & CM APPL. 11401/2015
88) + W.P.(C) 6901/2015 & CM APPL. 12645/2015
89) + W.P.(C) 6902/2015 & CM APPL. 12647/2015
90) + W.P.(C) 6904/2015 & CM APPL. 12651/2015
91) + W.P.(C) 6905/2015 & CM APPL. 12653/2015
92) + W.P.(C) 6908/2015 & CM APPL. 12658/2015
93) + W.P.(C) 6909/2015 & CM APPL. 12660/2015
94) + W.P.(C) 6993/2015 & CM APPL. 12819/2015
95) + W.P.(C) 6994/2015 & CM APPL. 12821/2015
96) + W.P.(C) 6996/2015 & CM APPL. 12824/2015
97) + W.P.(C) 7015/2015 & CM APPL. 12853/2015
98) + W.P.(C) 7041/2015
99) + W.P.(C) 7042/2015 & CM APPL. 12899/2015
100) + W.P.(C) 7045/2015 & CM APPL. 12903/2015
101) + W.P.(C) 7161/2015 & CM APPL. 13126/2015
102) + W.P.(C) 7264/2015 & CM APPL. 13327/2015
103) + W.P.(C) 7266/2015 & CM APPL. 13331/2015
104) + W.P.(C) 7267/2015 & CM APPL. 13333/2015
W.P.(C) 5770/2013 & connected matters Page 3 of 18
105) + W.P.(C) 7268/2015 & CM APPL. 13335/2015
106) + W.P.(C) 7270/2015 & CM APPL. 13339/2015
107) + W.P.(C) 7640/2015 & CM APPL. 14887/2015
108) + W.P.(C) 7642/2015 & CM APPL. 14891/2015
109) + W.P.(C) 7643/2015 & CM APPL. 14893/2015
110) + W.P.(C) 7646/2015 & CM APPL. 14898/2015
111) + W.P.(C) 7913/2015 & CM APPL. 15995-15996/2015
112) + W.P.(C) 8678/2015 & CM APPL. 19038/2015
113) + W.P.(C) 8683/2015 & CM APPL. 19044/2015
114) + W.P.(C) 10808/2015 & CM APPL. 27792/2015
115) + W.P.(C) 10812/2015 & CM APPL. 27798/2015
116) + W.P.(C) 11213/2015 & CM APPL. 29189/2015
117) + W.P.(C) 11635/2015 & CM APPL. 30889/2015
118) + W.P.(C) 96/2016 & CM APPL. 471/2016
119) + W.P.(C) 98/2016 & CM APPL. 473/2016
120) + W.P.(C) 470/2016 & CM APPL. 1915-1916/2016
121) + W.P.(C) 1552/2016 & CM APPL. 6692/2016
122) + W.P.(C) 1553/2016 & CM APPL. 6694/2016
123) + W.P.(C) 1555/2016 & CM APPL. 6698/2016
124) + W.P.(C) 1556/2016 & CM APPL. 6700/2016
125) + W.P.(C) 1557/2016 & CM APPL. 6703/2016
126) + W.P.(C) 1558/2016 & CM APPL. 6706/2016
127) + W.P.(C) 5530/2016 & CM APPL. 23099/2016
128) + W.P.(C) 5819/2016 & CM APPL. 23980/2016
129) + W.P.(C) 5821/2016 & CM APPL. 23984/2016
130) + W.P.(C) 5824/2016 & CM APPL. 23987/2016
131) + W.P.(C) 5826/2016 & CM APPL. 23991/2016
132) + W.P.(C) 6417/2016 & CM APPL. 26278/2016
133) + W.P.(C) 4478/2017 & CM APPL. 19555/2017
134) + W.P.(C) 4494/2017 & CM APPL. 19642/2017
135) + W.P.(C) 6100/2015 & CM APPL.11090/2015
SOUTH DELHI MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ..... Petitioner
Through: Mr.Gaurang Kanth, Advocate for
Petitioners in W.P.(C) 770/2013,
64/2015, 5489/2016, 6675/2013,
6678/2013, 6684/2013, 6689/2013,
W.P.(C) 5770/2013 & connected matters Page 4 of 18
6692/2013, 70072013, 7679/2013,
7689/2013, 7694/2013, 7679/2013,
7796/2013, 7797/2013, 7803/2013,
8108/2013, 655/2014, 697/2014,
2677/2014, 8614/2014, 9273/2014,
9295/2014, 9331/2014, 9355/2014,
9391/2014, 47/2015, 981/2015,
1020/2015, 3946/2015, 4823/2015,
5031/2015, 5646/2015, 6271/2015,
7264/2015, 7266/2015, 7267/2015,
7268/2015, 7270/2015, 7640/2015,
7642/2015, 7643/2015, 7646/2015,
7913/2015, 8678/2015, 8683/2015,
10808/2015,10812/15, 11213/2015
11635/2015, 96/2016, 98/2016,
470/2016, 1552/2016, 1553/2016,
1555/2016, 1556/2016, 1557/2016,
1558/2016, 5530/2016, 5819/2016,
5821/2016, 5824/2016, 5826/2016,
6417/2016, 4478/17 & 4494/2017
Ms. Anju Gupta, Advocate with
Mr. Roshan Lal Goel, Advocate
for the petitioners in W.P.(C)
4483/2015, 4488/2015, 4501/2015,
4502/2015, 4503/2015, 4892/2015,
4893/2013, 4897/2015, 5871/2015,
5872/2015, 5873/2015, 5874/2015,
5875/2015, 5876/2015, 5877/2015,
5878/2015, 5879/2015, 5880/2015,
5881/2015, 6078/2015, 6086/2015,
6090/2015, 6097/2015, 6100/2015,
7913/2015, 8678/2015, 8683/2015,
10808/2015, 10812/2015, 96/2016,
98/2016, 470/2016, 1552/2016,
1553/2016, 1555/2016, 1556/2016
& 1557/2016, 1558/2016.
W.P.(C) 5770/2013 & connected matters Page 5 of 18
Mr. Digvijay Rai and Mr. Kustubh
Singh, Advocates for the
petitioners in W.P.(C) 1838/2015,
1839/2015, 1840/2015, 1841/2015,
1843/2015, 1844/2015, 1846/2015,
1847/2015, 1848/2015, 1849/2015,
1850/2015, 1851/2015, 1852/2015,
1857/2015, 1858/2015, 1859/2015,
1864/2015, 1865/2015, 1866/2015,
1867/2015, 1869/2015, 1870/2015,
5174/2015, 5176/2015, 5177/2015,
5183/2015, 5184/2015, 5185/2015,
5186/2015, 5187/2015, 7640/2015,
7642/2015, 7643/15 & 7646/2015
VS.
1) ROHTASH KUMAR & ORS.
2) HARI SHANKAR & ORS.
3) BRIJPAL SINGH & ANR.
4) TULIRAM & ANR.
5) RAM PRASAD & ORS.
6) FIRDAUS & ANR.
7) SHIVAJI & ORS.
8) HORAM & ANR.
9) SRI OM & ANR.
10) KRISHNA DEVI & ANR.
11) BRIJ KISHORE & ANR.
12) CHATTAR SAIN & ANR.
13) SOHAN LAL & ANR.
14) RAGHUNATH SINGH AND ORS.
15) SUHAGWATI & ANR.
16) DHARAMVIRI & ANR.
17) BIMLA AND ANR.
18) SUDARSHAN & ORS.
19) BHOLA & ANR.
20) CHHOTO & ANR.
21) UMED & ANR.
W.P.(C) 5770/2013 & connected matters Page 6 of 18
22) BISHAN SINGH & ANR.
23) PADAM & ANR.
24) KALYAN AND ORS.
25) DYANAND AND ORS.
26) SANTAR PAL & ANR.
27) BRIJ LAL & ORS.
28) RAM SAHAI & ANR.
29) CHIMMAN & ORS.
30) NAWAB SINGH & ORS.
31) RAM SWAROOP & ANR.
32) RAM LOT & ORS.
33) SHIV LAL & ANR.
34) RAM ROOP & ANR.
35) UMA SHANKAR & ANR.
36) SOHAN LAL & ANR.
37) MAHENDER SINGH& ANR.
38) DHORA RAM & ANR.
39) SRI CHAND & ANR.
40) SUNITA DEVI & ANR.
41) JEEVAN & ORS.
42) BRIJ LAL & ORS.
43) GIRDHARI LAL & ORS.
44) KAMAL PASWAN & ORS.
45) SANT BAHADUR & ANR.
46) VIJAY SINGH & ANR.
47) KHOB LAL & ANR.
48) JEET SINGH & ANR.
49) MADAN LAL & ORS.
50) RAM SARAN & ANR.
51) RAJAN & ORS.
52) VINOD KUMAR & ORS.
53) MS. VIDYA DEVI & ANR.
54) SHRI RAM PAL & ANR.
55) SHARWATI DEVI & ANR.
56) MS. MUKESH DEVI & ANR.
57) PRATAP SINGH & ANR.
58) DAYAWATI & ANR.
W.P.(C) 5770/2013 & connected matters Page 7 of 18
59) BAGMAL & ORS.
60) SHRI JAGDISH & ANR.
61) RAM SINGH & ORS.
62) BHULA RAM & ORS.
63) DAYA CHAND & ANR.
64) KAILASHO & ORS.
65) SAROJ AND ORS.
66) CHANDER PAL & ANR.
67) RATAN SINGH & ORS.
68) MADAN LAL & ORS.
69) RAMESH CHAND & ANR.
70) MAM CHAND & ORS.
71) BHAGWAT & ORS.
72) KAMTA & ORS.
73) SHYAM BABU & ORS.
74) PHOOL SINGH & ANR.
75) RAM RATI & ORS.
76) TRILOK CHAND & ORS.
77) HARI RAM & ORS.
78) ISHWAR SINGH AND ANR.
79) BRAHAM SINGH & ANR.
80) MAM CHAND & ANR.
81) DHARAM VIR & ANR.
82) JAIPAL SIGNH & ANR.
83) SHAM WATI & ANR.
84) NAND KISHORE & ANR.
85) MEERA DEVI & ANR.
86) RAM BAHADUR & ORS.
87) DAYA CHAND & ANR.
88) HIRA LAL AND ORS.
89) ABDUL JALIL
90) MEER SINGH
91) ROSHNI DEVI
92) MAYA DEVI
93) CHAND ROOP
94) BIJENDER AND ORS.
95) JEET KAUR
W.P.(C) 5770/2013 & connected matters Page 8 of 18
96) DIL BAGH AND ORS.
97) RAM AVTAR AND ORS.
98) BHULE RAM AND ORS.
99) SUHAGWATI
100) DHARAMVIRI
101) BHAGMAL
102) RAJVIR SINGH & ORS.
103) RAM PAL & ORS.
104) BHOPAL SINGH & ANR.
105) JAGDISH & ORS.
106) MAYA DEVI & ORS.
107) KALYAN AND ORS.
108) RAM LOTAN AND ANR.
109) VINOD KUMAR AND ORS.
110) KANHIYA LAL & ANR.
111) SRIM OM AND ANR.
112) RAJE RAM & ANR.
113) DEVAK RAM & ANR.
114) HARI CHAND & ORS.
115) SATPAL & ORS.
116) HARI LAL
117) MAHABIR SINGH & ORS.
118) LEKH RAJ AND ANR.
119) GANGA SARAN & ORS.
120) RAM CHANDER & ANR.
121) SHRI MOHAN LAL & ANR.
122) DULI CHAND & ANR.
123) YASIN & ANR.
124) PANNA LAL & ANR.
125) SHRI SATVIR SINGH & ANR.
126) BANI SINGH & ANR.
127) HET RAM & ANR.
128) MAHARAJ SINGH AND ORS.
129) VASH DEV AND ANR.
130) RATTAN LAL AND ANR.
131) RAM LAL AND ORS
132) APLATOON AND ORS.
W.P.(C) 5770/2013 & connected matters Page 9 of 18
133) GOPI AND ORS.
134) SARDAR SINGH AND ORS.
135) VIJAY SHAMSHER SINGH & ORS.
Through: Mr. Varun Prasad, Advocate for
the Workman in all the petitions.
Mr. Satyakam, Addl. Standing Counsel
with Mr. Mohit. Kumar, Advocate for
respondent-GNCTD in W.P.(C) 64/2015,
5489/2016, 5156/2015, 5877/2015,
98/2016, 96/2016, 5824/2016.
4892/2015, 4493/2015, 4897/2015 &
5031/2015
Mr. Rizwan, Advocate for respondent-
GNCTD in W.P.(C) 7643/2015,
470/2016, 5819/2016 & 5826/2016.
Mr. Sanjay Ghose, Advocate with
Mr.Babu Ram Advocate for GNCTD in
W.P.(C) 6678/2013, 4483/2015,
4488/2015, 4501/2015, 4502/2015,
4503/2015, 4823/2015, 4892/2015,
4893/2015, 4897/2015, 5031/2015,
5871/2015, 5873/2015, 5874/2015,
5875/2015, 5876/2015, 5878/2015,
7264/2015, 7266/2015, 7267/2015,
7268/2015, 7270/2015, 10808/2015 &
10812/2015.
Mr. Devesh Singh, Addl. Standing
Counsel (Civil), GNCTD with Ms.
Urvashi Tripathi & Ms Sukiriti Ghai,
Advocates for GNCTD in W.P.(C)
7007/2013, 8683/2015 & 11635/2015.
W.P.(C) 5770/2013 & connected matters Page 10 of 18
Mr. Naushad Ahmad, Addl. Standing
Counsel for GNCTD Advocate for
GNCTD in W.P.(C) 1839/2015, 1840/
2015, 1846/2015, 1852/2015 &
1866/2015
Mr. Warisha Farasat, Advocate for
GNCTD in W.P.(C) 6684/2013,
8108/2013 & 5187/2015.
Mr. Abhinav Singh, Advocate with Mr.
Mohd. Kaisair Ansari, Advocate in
W.P.(C) 1867/2015, 1552/2016,
1557/2016, 1558//2016.
Mr. Mayank Bamniyal, Advocate for
respondent No.2 in W.P.(C) 5186/2015.
Mr. Prateek Chadha, Adv. for respondent
No.8 in W.P.(C) 5177/2015, for
respondent No.2 in W.P.(C) 5183/2015 &
WPC 6692/2013.
Mr. Shadan Farasat, Addl. Standing
Counsel with Mr. Hafsa Khan, Advocate
in W.P.(C) 7694/2013, 7796/2013,
7797/2013, 7803/2013, 697/2014,
47/2015, 1865/2015, 6078/2015,
6086/2015, 1552/2016 & 1558/2016.
Mr. Ankur Chhibber, Advocate with
Mr.Bhanu Gupta, Advocate for
respondent No.2 in W.P.(C) 7696/2013.
Mr. R.K. Agnihotri, Advocate for
Respondent No. 16 in W.P. (C)
1867/2015
W.P.(C) 5770/2013 & connected matters Page 11 of 18
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUNIL GAUR
ORDER
(ORAL)
1. The above captioned petitions arise out of common Award of 1st
April, 2006, (Annexure P-2) vide which petitioner-South Delhi Municipal
Corporation (hereinafter referred to as 'SDMC') was directed to grant
pay scale of `3050-4590 to the Gardeners (henceforth referred to as the
'Malis'), who have been found fit for grant of benefit under the Assured
Career Progression Scheme (for short 'ACP') as first upgradation. To
seek execution of the Award, respondents had filed an application under
Section 33(C) (1) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 and a reply thereto
was filed by petitioner. Impugned 'Recovery Certificate' of 29th August,
2013 (Annexure P-1) is assailed in the lead case i.e. W.P.(C) 5770/2013.
Similar 'Recovery Certificates' are also assailed in connected cases. The
stand taken by petitioner in the reply so filed, is that for promotion of
Malis to the post of Chaudhary, Trade Test was conducted in the year
2005 and the process of conducting the test for promotion of Mali to the
post of Chaudhary and grant of ACP benefits, is at the final stage.
2. With the consent of counsel representing both the sides, the above
captioned petitions have been heard together, while treating W.P.(C)
5770/2013 as the lead case, and are being decided by this common order.
3. Learned counsel for petitioner informs that out of respondents, 125
Malis/Gardeners have cleared the Trade Test and as per the Recruitment
Regulation for the post of Chaudhary (Annexure P-4), promotion to this
post is made on the basis of Trade Test .
4. Attention of this Court is drawn to the common Award of 2006 to
point out that the pay scale of Chaudhary is to be given to the
Malis/Gardeners, who have been found fit for grant of the benefit under
the ACP scheme. It is also pointed out by learned counsel for petitioner
that as per order of 1st October, 2012 (Annexure P-3) passed by a Co-
ordinate Bench of this Court, the grant of benefit under the ACP scheme
is subject to the Malis/ Gardeners being found fit as per the ACP scheme.
Attention of this Court is drawn to Office Memorandum of 9 th August,
1999 to point out that the condition for grant of benefit under the ACP
scheme is the fulfillment of the benchmark i.e. of passing the Trade Test.
It is also pointed out that as per the Office Memorandum of 10th February,
2000, promotion norms have to be fulfilled for upgradation under the
ACP Scheme and no upgradation shall be allowed if an employee fails to
qualify the skill test.
5. The challenge to impugned 'Recovery Certificate' of 29th August,
2013 (Annexure P-1) by petitioner-SDMC is on the ground that the
impugned order does not take note of the fact that respondents/workmen
have not cleared the Trade Test and the concerned Deputy Commissioner
has erred in issuing Recovery Certificate for differential amounts i.e. the
pay scale of respondents/workmen under the pay scale of Chaudhary. It is
also submitted that the impugned order cannot be sustained because
neither the Award nor order of 1st October, 2012 (Annexure P-3)
quantifies the money due to respondents/workmen and since the pay scale
of Chaudhary is to be granted to respondents/workmen, only if they
qualify Trade Test, therefore, the impugned order deserves to be set aside
on this ground also.
6. On the contrary, learned counsel for respondents/workmen
supports the impugned order and submits that many of the
respondents/workmen are from DDA and as per decision of 1st March,
2012 of Division Bench of this Court in W.P.(C) 2621/2010 Municipal
Corporation of Delhi Vs. Ram Avtar & Ors. (Annexure R-5 to the counter
affidavit), respondents/ workmen, who are from DDA, cannot be
subjected to the Trade Test. It is pointed out that Division Bench in the
aforesaid order has categorically declared that Mali/Gardener from DDA
are to be treated as if they had continued service with the DDA and their
Recruitment Rules do not prescribe passing of any Trade Test for being
entitled for promotion to the post of Chaudhary. Attention of this Court
has been drawn to the ACP Scheme, as contained in Office Memorandum
of 9th August, 1999, to point out that in case of isolated post, in the
absence of defined hierarchical grade, financial upgradation has to be
given on the next higher pay scale, as indicated in the ACP Scheme. So, it
is submitted that the next higher pay grade under the ACP Scheme
automatically flows to the workmen if there is no inquiry against them.
Respondents' counsel has referred to the Award of 1st April, 2006
(Annexure P-2) and order of 1st October, 2012 (Annexure P-3) to submit
that there is no requirement of passing Trade Test. It is pointed out that
petitioner had not contested before the Tribunal or before the Division
Bench of this Court that there is no requirement of passing the Trade Test
and so, this condition cannot be now put upon respondents.
7. It is next submitted that the Malis/Gardeners from DDA and MCD
cannot be treated differently by prescribing Trade Test for the
Malis/Gardeners of MCD. It is asserted by respondent's counsel that no
Trade Test was conducted for the Malis/ Gardners from DDA who have
been absorbed with the MCD. Lastly, it is submitted that prescribing of
Trade Test for the Malis/Gardeners is discriminatory and is violative of
Article 14 of the Constitution of India. Nothing else is urged by either
side.
8. Upon hearing and on perusal of impugned 'Recovery Certificate'
29th August, 2013 (Annexure P-1), Award of 1st April, 2006 (Annexure P-
2) and order of 1st October, 2012 (Annexure P-3), material on record and
the decision cited, I find that impugned 'Recovery Certificate' of 29th
August, 2013 (Annexure P-1), directing petitioner to pay differential of
the pay scales of Mali/ Gardener and Chaudhary does not take note of the
fact that the Award of 1st April, 2006 (Annexure P-2) grants Chaudhary's
pay scale of `3050-4590/- to the respondents/ workmen subject to their
being found fit. Even this Court's Order of 1st October, 2012 (Annexure
P-3) affirms the Award of 1st April, 2006 (Annexure P-2) with the rider
that those Malis/Gardeners, who have been found fit for grant of benefit
under ACP scheme, have to be granted the pay scale of Chaudhary.
Oblivious of this rider, impugned order directs petitioner to pay the
differential of the afore-referred two pay scales.
9. During pendency of this petition, operation of the impugned order
was stayed. Against the interim order of stay, respondents/workmen had
filed LPA before the Division Bench and as per the order of 20 th
September, 2013 (Annexure R-1), the interim order was not disturbed and
the parties were given liberty to raise the plea of Trade Test, etc., before
this Bench.
10. Parity is sought by respondents/workmen with Malis/ Gardeners
from DDA who, upon their absorption, have been granted the pay scale of
Chaudhary without the Trade Test. A Division Bench of this Court vide
order of 1st March, 2012 in W.P. (C) 2621/2010 titled Municipal
Corporation of Delhi Vs. Ram Avtar & Ors. (Annexure R-5 to the counter
affidavit) has placed the Malis, who have been absorbed from DDA, on a
different footing by treating them to be the Gardener /Malis as if they are
in continuous service with the DDA. It is matter of record that the
Recruitment Rules of DDA did not prescribe passing of a Trade Test for
being promoted as Chaudhary, whereas the Office Memorandum of 9th
August, 1999 (Annexure P-1 to petitioner's additional affidavit of 3rd
October, 2014) requires fulfillment of promotion norms for grant of ACP.
It is categorically provided in the aforesaid ACP scheme that the
Recruitment Rules for promotion/upgradation require an employee to
qualify the skill test/Trade Test. It is true that Essential Screening
Committee has recommended first financial upgradation to
respondents/workmen, which upgrades respondents/workmen from the
pay scale of `2610-₹4000/- to ₹2750/-₹4400/-, but the pay scale of
Gardener/ Chaudhary is ₹3050-₹4590/-. By no stretch of imagination
post of Chaudhary or case of respondent-workmen can be said to be
isolated cases.
11. As per the Recruitment Regulations for the Chaudhary (Annexure
P-4), passing of Trade Test is essential and in the considered opinion of
this Court, it cannot be diluted while relying upon decision of this Court
in W.P. (C) 170/2011 titled Municipal Corporation of Delhi Vs. Rajpal
and 232 Ors. rendered on 9th October, 2018 as a Single Bench of this
Court has clarified that Gardeners from DDA, who have been absorbed in
MCD, are governed by the Recruitment Rules of DDA and not by the
Recruitment Regulations of petitioner-SDMC. It is clear from the
Recruitment Regulations that for the post of Chaudhary (Annexure P-4),
the prescribed qualification for direct recruitment will apply in case of
promotion also. Since selection /promotion has to be made on the basis
of Trade Test, therefore, the fitness aspect, as highlighted in the Award of
1st April, 2006 (Annexure P-2) and this Court's Order of 1st October,
2012 (Annexure P-3), essentially pertains to the passing of Trade Test.
12. Evidently, Malis from DDA absorbed in MCD and Malis from
MCD are governed by different set of Recruitment Regulations and thus,
they cannot be put at par. Thus, plea of discrimination is without any
substance and is repelled.
13. During the course of hearing, it is brought to the notice of this
Court that some respondents/workmen have passed the Trade Test.
Needless to say that petitioner shall grant the pay scale of Chaudhary to
such respondents/workmen, who have passed the Trade Test from the
date when they have cleared the Trade Test and the differential of the pay
scale shall be paid to such respondents/workmen forthwith. So far as
remaining respondents/workmen are concerned, petitioner shall ensure
that a Trade Test for them is held within a period of four months from
today, so that they can be granted the pay scale of Chaudhary upon their
clearing the Trade Test. Such a course is adopted as merit cannot be
sacrificed at any cost. Pertinently, meritorious amongst respondents have
already cleared the Trade Test.
14. In light of the aforesaid, impugned order/ Recovery Certificates
being oblivious of the fitness angle, i.e. of passing the Trade Test, are
held to be unsustainable and are accordingly set aside, with direction to
petitioner to hold the Trade Test for respondents/workmen at the earliest,
but not later than 6th May, 2019, to ensure compliance of Award of 1st
April, 2006 (Annexure P-2) and this Court's Order of 1st October, 2012
(Annexure P-3).
15. With the above-said directions, these petitions and the pending
applications are accordingly disposed of. A copy of this order be given
dasti to learned counsel for petitioner to ensure its compliance.
(SUNIL GAUR)
JUDGE
DECEMBER 06, 2018
p'ma
