HC direction to authorities on time scale pay of petitioners

Chennai,Jan11(PTI) The Madras High Court today directedTamil Nadu Rural Development authorities to consider the claimof two petitioners, drawing a salary of Rs 1000 per month for24 years,to bring them on time scale pay on par with that ofDeputy Block Development officer with effect from 1986.

In his order,Justice B.Rajendran observed that petitionershave been employed as field officers only on the concurrenceand knowledge of the District Collector and other officers.

"It is rather unfortunate that the petitioners�services havebeen exploited and all these years they were made to getpaltry and meagre sum of Rs 1000 per month."

"They were not given even the minimum wages all these years.

Inspite of various representations by the petitioners nothingcould be done due to inaction on the part of the Government,"the judge said ordering authorities to pass orders on theirclaim within three months.

In fact one petitioner is a post graduate and anothergraduate.They were working as field officers all these yearsand were not brought into regular time scale pay,the courtsaid, allowing petitions filed by K.Selvaraju and P.R.Umayal.

The petitioners prayed the court for a direction to theSecretary and Director of the Department of Rural Developmentand Dharmapuri District Collector to bring them in time scalepay on par with that of Deputy Block Development Officer witheffect from 1986 with allowance and other benefits.

They said they were appointed as field officers onconsolidated pay of Rs 1000.They were holding the sameposition without any promotion all these years.