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Allahabad High Court · body

1999 DIGILAW 716 (ALL)

SURVEY KANOONGO SANGH v. STATE OF U P

1999-05-12

D.K.SETH

body1999
D. K. SETH, J. Mr. Sheo Nath Singh, learned counsel for the petitioner has raised an interesting but simple point in this writ petition on the principle of equal pay for equal work as enshrined in the directive principles of State Policy in the Constitution of India in terms of Article 39 (d) between Supervisor Kanoongo on one hand and the Survey Kanoongo on the other. According to him, the nature of duty perfumed by Survey Kanoongo and Supervisor Kanoongo are the same, though the source and mode of recruit ment might be different. Therefore, there should be equality in respect of pay of both the posts. He had drawn my attention to various provisions of law and facts as pleaded in the writ petition, counter-af fidavit, rejoinder- affidavit and other materials on record in order to substan tiate his contention. 2. Mr. P. M. N. Singh, learned Addi tional Advocate General and Mr. K. R. Singh, learned Standing Counsel on the other hand appearing for the respondents had resisted the contention of Mr. Sheo Nath Singh and attempted to make out a case that the two posts are altogether dis similar and there is no similarity of the nature of work which itself denotes the difference between the work. According to them, Survey Kanoongo is responsible for the survey, whereas the Supervisor Kanoongo is responsible for supervision. The very qualification supervision makes the difference in the nature of the work in respect of both the posts. They have also drawn my attention to the different provisions of law as well as the facts and the materials on record, including the pleadings and the documents placed before this Court to substantiate their respective contentions. 3. All the counsel had referred to several decisions to which reference will be made at appropriate stage. 4. I have heard all the counsel at length. 5. The conditions of service of Super visor Kanoongo is governed by the U. P Sub-ordinate Revenue Executive (Super visor Kanoongo) Service Rules, 1977. The said Rule prescribe in Rule the source of recruitment. Rule 15 prescribes the made and procedure of recruitment and Rule 17 prescribes the procedure for selection. Chapter VII deals with the selection of Survey Amins and permanent Land Ac quisition Amins for admission to the In stitute. The said Rule prescribe in Rule the source of recruitment. Rule 15 prescribes the made and procedure of recruitment and Rule 17 prescribes the procedure for selection. Chapter VII deals with the selection of Survey Amins and permanent Land Ac quisition Amins for admission to the In stitute. Chapter X deals with appointment as Supervisor Kanoongo, probation and confirmation while Chapter 11 deals with the scale of pay. This 1977 Rules does not mention anything about the Survey Kanoongo. Section 25 of the U. P. Land Revenue Act provides that "one or more Kanoongos may be appointed in each dis trict for the proper supervision main tenance and correction of the annual registers and for such other duties as the State Government may from time to time, prescribe. " The U. P. Land Records Manual in Chapter XXXIV prescribes the duties of Supervisor Kanoongoes. while Chapter XXXV deals with the supervision of the Supervisor Kanoongo over Lekhpals. Chapter XXXVI defines the su pervision over village map, Chapter XXXVII prescribes the duties of the Su pervisor Kanoongo in respect of testing records and statistics, which includes in spection of boundary and survey marks and various other works as well as has jurisdiction to pass orders in disputed cases of succession. Chapter XXXVII re quires the Supervisor Kanoongo to per form the duties of detection of agricultural deterioration and exploitation of fluctua tions in statistics. Chapter XXXIX prescribes the duties of the Supervisor Kanoongo with regard to local enquiries, while Chapter XL empowers it to attest documents. Chapter XLI prescribes the list of extraneous duties to be performed by the Supervisor Kanoongo. Apart from Supervisor Kanoongos, here are posts of Sadar Kanoongo and Registrar Kanoon go. The field of responsibility of both Sadar Kanoongo and Registrar Kanoongo has been specified in Part V. Part III prescribes the duties and works to be per formed by the Registrar Kanoongo. 6. Apart from Supervisor Kanoongos, here are posts of Sadar Kanoongo and Registrar Kanoon go. The field of responsibility of both Sadar Kanoongo and Registrar Kanoongo has been specified in Part V. Part III prescribes the duties and works to be per formed by the Registrar Kanoongo. 6. Section 48, Chapter V of the U. P. Land Revenue Act provides that the State Government, if thinks fit, may publish a notification in respect of a particular dis trict or other local area for a general or partial revision of the records or resurvey or both and on issue of such notification, every such local area shall be held to be under record or survey operation or both from the date of such notification unless the operation is declared closed by issuing another notification. Section 49 em powers the Government to appoint a Record Officer as in charge of Record operation or the survey or both. Under Section 52, the records are to be prepared in re-survey and new record of rights is to be prepared under Section 53 and maps and records be revised under Section 54. 7. Thus, there is a distinction be tween operation of Section 25 and those under Section 48. While the operation of Section 25 is continuous and perennial, the operation of Section 48 is occasional. While Section 25 read with the provisions of Part V of the LaLand Records Manual shows that it is in the nature of main tenance of the whole record all through, while Chapter V of the Act read with U. P. Land Revenue (Survey and Record Operations) Rules, 1978 shows that it is confined in respect of a particular assign ment, namely survey or re-survey in order to prepare or revise the records and maps. It is under this 1978 Rules the Survey Kanoongo comes in. The duties and the nature of work of Survey Kanoongo has been provides in the 1978 Rules. Rule 8 of the 1978 Rules provide that Survey Kanoongos are required to report such dispute for decision to the Survey Naib-Tehsildar while Rule 9 provides that cor rection is required to be done under Rule 10 by Survey Kanoongo with the assistance of Survey Lekhpals following the method prescribed in Rule 11. This rule specifies the duties and the nature of work to be carried on by Survey Kanoongo. This rule specifies the duties and the nature of work to be carried on by Survey Kanoongo. Under Rule 13, the Survey Kanoongo is directed to re- number plots while surveying afresh or re-surveying area. He can also carry on with test verification and partal under Rule 18. A perusal of Rules 11,13 and 18 shows that the work of Survey Kanoongo is confined with regard to survey and preparation or for correction of the map which after such preparation is to be handed over to the Collector and be maintained in terms of Section 25 read with Section 28. 8. A comparative study of- the nature of duties of the Supervisor Kanoongo and Survey Kanoongo as referred to above presents a wide difference. It is not neces sary to refer to all the duties. It will suffice to refer to one significant difference, namely, the power conferred on the Su pervisor Kanoongo under Section 43 of the Act, which empowers him to record succession, in cases where there is no dispute and also to report the disputed cases to the Land Management Committee. Whereas, the Survey Kanoongo does not perform any such work. 9. That apart, separate rules relating to the condition of service of the Super visor Kanoongo has been framed being 1977 Rules, which describes the Super visor Kanoongo as a Subordinate Revenue Executive. Nature of duties performed by the Supervisor Kanoongo under the said Rules shows that their work is in the na ture of supervising the entire system of maintenance of records. Whereas, that of the Survey Kanoongo, it is only to prepare, correct or revise the map and in fact the work of Survey Kanoongo is with regard to the preparation, correction or revising the map with the assistance of officers engaged for assisting him. The source of recruitment for a Supervisor Kanoongo has been prescribed in Rule 5 of 1977 Rules and the mode of selection and the procedure of selection having been prescribed differently in Rules 15and 16of 1977 Rules, respectively, they stand al together on different footing with the Sur vey Kanoongos, who are recruited and selected through the mode different as is evident from the Annexure SCA-1 to the supplementary counter-affidavit affirmed by one Jagat Pal- on 25th January, 1999. The Supervisor Kanoongo was re-desig nated as Record Inspector by reason of U. P. Record Amendment Rules, 1988. The Supervisor Kanoongo was re-desig nated as Record Inspector by reason of U. P. Record Amendment Rules, 1988. The post of Record Inspector (Rajaswah in spector) was subsequently re-designated as Revenue Inspector (Rajaswah Nirik-shak ). In the Government Order dated 29th April, 1984, Annexure CA-1 to the supplementary counter-affidavit affirmed on Z5th January, 1999 by Jagat Pal records such re-designation. From the said An nexure, it appears that the duties of the Revenue Inspectors would be to supervise the work of the Collection Amins and to distribute responsibility to them. The duties and responsibility assigned to the Supervisor Kanoongo is prescribed in paragraphs 393 to 444. These include (i) General Supervision over Lekhpals, (ii) Supervision over village maps, (iii) Testing of Lekhpals Records and statistics, (iv)-detection of agricultural deterioration, (v) Local enquiries,- (vi) Attestation of docu ments under Section 158 of the IRE Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950 and Section 57 of U. P. Tenancy Act, 1939, (vii) Disposal of undisputed cases of succession. The general super vision over Lekhpals includes (a) general responsibility of supervising the works of the Lekhpals, (b) that the Lekhpal resides in his halqa, (c) punctuality and com petence of Lekhpals (d) to provide himself with a circle map, (e) to give detailed in structions regarding entries maintained by the Registrar Kanoongos, (f) Comparison of (sic) records with revised records, (g) Satisfy himself that sufficient forms are supplied to Lekhpals, (h) preparation of area statistics, (i) report of calamities, (j) Responsibility of seeing that the Lekhpals discharge their duties properly under al luvial lands, maintenance of accounts, reports of Takavi Works (Takavi Rules), Damage by camps of exercise, preparation of relief statements in cases of agricultural calamities, Supervision of village maps, includes the duties of (i) maintenance of serviceable maps, (ii) supply of fresh maps, (iii) Entry of charges, (iv) Supply of instru ment, (v) Check lines, (vi) Assistance to incompetent Lekhpals, (vii) Action where charges are numerous. For testing of records, a Supervisor Kanoongo is re quired to prepare programme of testing records and statistics, test records and Khasras, examination of boundary and survey matters, testing of crop statements, area statement local verification of annual Khatauni of non-zamindari abolition area, triennial Khatauni in Zamindari Abolition area, Test of Khatauni, Test of demand and collection Zamabandi, main tain guard book for non-zamindari aboli tion area, Testing of erratta list, Testing of statements of holdings land revenue and rentals, local verification of Khewat in non-zamindari abolition area, examina tion of old records, diary etc. 10. Whereas, the Survey Kanoongo is entrusted with the duty of referring boundary dispute to Naib- Tahsildar, map correction revision of map, renumbering of plots, area extraction, preparation of comparative old and new numbers in the sequence of old numbers as well as a list in the sequence of new numbers, test verification and record of disputes and mistakes detected. Apparently, these duties are confined to the preparation cor rection or revision of maps only as ob served hereafter. 11. Chapter XXXIV of the Land Records Manuals empowers the Super visor Kanoongo to exercise supervision over the Lekhpals as prescribed in para graph 399 to paragraph 410. Whereas the U. P Land Revenue (Survey and Record Operations) Rules, 1978 requires Survey Kanoongo to prepare the map with the assistance of the Survey Lekhpals. The said Rule has not given any authority to Survey Kanoongo to supervise the work of the Survey Lekhpals. On the other hand, they are required to take assistance of Sur vey Lekhpals. Under Rule 28 of the 1978 Rule they are required to take orders from the Survey Naib-Tahsildar, the Assistant Record Officer or the Record Officer, which they should note on the annual register. The Survey Kanoongo is not sup posed to exercise any executive authority over any other officer or in the work of survey. Thus, there appears to be a basic difference in the nature of work per formed by these two categories of Kanoongos. 12. Mr. Sheo Nath Singh had referred to 1978 Rules and pointed out that Survey Kanoongos and Supervisor Kanoongos are feeder post for promotion to the post of Survey Naib-Tehsildar. He also points out that the promotion to the post of Naib-Tahsildar shall not exceed 50% from among the Supervisor Kanoongo. 12. Mr. Sheo Nath Singh had referred to 1978 Rules and pointed out that Survey Kanoongos and Supervisor Kanoongos are feeder post for promotion to the post of Survey Naib-Tehsildar. He also points out that the promotion to the post of Naib-Tahsildar shall not exceed 50% from among the Supervisor Kanoongo. From this Rule, he wants to point out that the Survey Kanoongo and Supervisor Kanoongo are the same feeder post from which the promotion to the post of Survey Naib-Tahsildar is made. He also shows that the qualification for Survey Kanoongo is Intermediate, which is also equivalent to the prescribed qualification of the Super visor Kanoongo. But it appears from there that the Survey Kanoongo has been described asa field staff under 1978 Rules. 13. Mr. S. N. Singh also points out that the appointing authority of the Survey Kanoongo is the District Magistrate, whereas that of the Supervisor Kanoongo is the Collector and that the District Magistrate and the Collector is the same post. But this cannot be a determining factor since the service of the Supervisor Kanoongo is governed by different rules meant for the purpose in which the Survey Kanoongos have not been included though Sadar Kanoongo and Registrar Kanoongo have since been included. If Survey Kanoongos were on the same foot ing as that of the Supervisor Kanoongo, in that event it would not have been a neces sity to exclude the Survey Kanoongos from the purview of 1977 Rules. 14. As observed earlier, there being a difference in the field in which the two categories of holders of posts are working and there being wide difference of the na ture of the work carried on and the dif ference of the responsibilities discharged. Inasmuch as the Survey Kanoongo per forms non- supervisory work whereas Su pervisor Kanoongos discharges super visory work, it is not possible to treat both of them on the same footing. The rules are to be read as amended and as existing today. Even if at one point of time the Supervisor Kanoongo having the training of Survey Kanoongo could be appointed as Survey Kanoongo, the same does not make the post of Supervisor Kanoongo and Survey Kanoongo at par since the Su pervisor Kanoongo has a different area of work as discussed above. 15. Even if at one point of time the Supervisor Kanoongo having the training of Survey Kanoongo could be appointed as Survey Kanoongo, the same does not make the post of Supervisor Kanoongo and Survey Kanoongo at par since the Su pervisor Kanoongo has a different area of work as discussed above. 15. In order to claim equal pay for equal work, it has to be shown that the work performed by holders of both the post are equal or similar in nature. As indicated earlier, there being difference in the field of operation and nature of the work and the responsibilities carried on as well as the source of recruitment and mode, method and procedure of selection even if it may be common feeder put. for promotion to the post of Naib- Tehsildar, it cannot be said that there is any identity in the nature of work between the two posts in order to attract the principle of equal pay for equal work. The evaluation of the work done is a job of expert. The court cannot place itself in the place of expert. It is for the pay commission or such other expert bodies which can do the same. Unless on the face of the materials the quality is apparent, court is not expected to interfere or take upon itself the duly of correcting the difference and declaring equivalence. 16. Mr. P. M. N. Singh had relied on the decision in the case of Federation of All India Customs and Central Excise Stenog raphers v. Union of India & Ors. , 1988 (3) SCC 91 , wherein it was held that the differentiation in pay scales among the Government servants holding same posts and performing similar work on the basis of difference in degree or responsibility, reliability, confidentiality etc. is valid. It is on the value judgment of the concerned administrative authorities made bonafide, reasonably and rationally not open to in terference by Court. It was further held that the equal pay for equal work is a concomitant of Article 14 but equal pay for equal work will be a negation of that right. Equal pay must depend upon the nature of the work done. It cannot be judged by the mere volume of work; there may be qualitative difference as regards reliability and responsibility. Functions may be the same but the responsibilities make a difference. Equal pay must depend upon the nature of the work done. It cannot be judged by the mere volume of work; there may be qualitative difference as regards reliability and responsibility. Functions may be the same but the responsibilities make a difference. The same amount of physical work may entail different quality of work, some more sensitive, some re quiring more tact, some less it varies from nature and culture of employment. There is an element of value, judgment by those who are charged with the administration in fixing the scales of pay and other condi tions of service. Defecation in im plementing the award or the recommen dations of Pay Commission without ra tionale basis may amount to discrimina tion. But so long as such value judgment is made bona fide, reasonably on an intel ligible criterion which has a rational nexus with the object of differentiation, such dif ferentiation will not amount to dis crimination as in the present case the dif ferentiation between the two groups is jus tified because of the nature and types of the work done and the responsibilities shouldered by the two groups as indicated above, is based on intelligible differentia tion. 17. In the case of State of U. P and others v. J. P. Chaurasia and others, 1989 (1) SCC 121 , it was held that it does not just depend upon either the nature of work or volume of work done. Primarily it requires among others, evaluation of duties and responsibilities of the respective posts. More often functions of two posts may appear to be the same or similar, but there may be difference in decrees in the perfor mance. The quantity of the work may be the same, but quality may be different that cannot be determined by relying upon averments in affidavits of interested parties. The equation of posts or equation of pay must be left to the Executive Govern ment. It must be determined by expert pay for equal work was granted in both the categories involved on the ground that the not help Mr. Singh in the facts and circumstances of the case. Inasmuch as equal bodies like Pay Commission. They would be the best judge to evaluate the nature of duties and responsibilities of posts. If there is any such determination by a Com mission or Committee, the court should normally accept it. Singh in the facts and circumstances of the case. Inasmuch as equal bodies like Pay Commission. They would be the best judge to evaluate the nature of duties and responsibilities of posts. If there is any such determination by a Com mission or Committee, the court should normally accept it. The court should not try to tinker with such equivalence unless it is shown that it was made with ex traneous consideration. Here in the present case, admittedly, the nature of duty and responsibility are distinct and different apart from the fact that the source or recruitment and the conditions of service are also different. 18. The same principle was enun ciated in the decision in the case of Mewa Ram v. All India Institute of Medical Science and others, AIR 1989 SC 1256 , to the extent that if there is an intelligible differentiation in that event the principle of equal pay for equal work cannot be attracted. The principle of equal pay for equal work is to be tested at the touch stone of equality in the nature of the work, the responsibilities involved, the source or recruitment and the condition of service, promotional channel. In the present case between the two groups, all these in gredients are distinct and separate with the classification given by the experts can not be interferred with by the court unless it is shown that there is no intelligible differentiation, is also accepted in the decision in the case of Shiba Kumar Dutta and others v. Union of India, AIR 1998 SC 2911 . 19. In the case of State of U. P. v. Mini sterial Karamchari Sangh, AIR 1998 SC 303, it was held that though persons hold ing the same posts performing similar work but when their mode of recruitment, qualification and promotion is different, it is sufficient ground for fixing different scale of pay as in the present case. 20. In the case of Purna Chandra Nanda v. State of Orissa, AIR 1997 SC 7 , had also proceeded on the same view. 21. Mr. Sheo Nath Singh relied on a decision in the case of Indian Council of Agricultural Research v. A. N. Lahiri, AIR 1997 SC 2259 , but the said decision does nature of work which they are doing was of the same type. Qualification-wise there was no distinction between the two sets. 21. Mr. Sheo Nath Singh relied on a decision in the case of Indian Council of Agricultural Research v. A. N. Lahiri, AIR 1997 SC 2259 , but the said decision does nature of work which they are doing was of the same type. Qualification-wise there was no distinction between the two sets. Their initial source of recruitment was also the same. The difference was that under the same employment, there was two sets of employees one governed by ARS system of service and the other whol ly outside ARS. Under these circumstan ces, the doctrine of equal pay for equal work was held to be attracted in the said case. Whereas in the present case, the source of recruitment is completely dif ferent. The recruitment mode, method and manner is also different. There are difference in the qualification also. The nature of the work carried on by the two groups are also distinguished and separate. They are also governed by dif ferent service conditions and rules. There fore, on account of this distinguishing fea ture, the ratio decided in the said case could not be attracted. 22. Mr. Singh had also relied on a decision in the case of Babu Lal v. New Delhi Municipal Committee, AIR 1994 SC 2214 . In the said case, it was held that the work of SWD Beldars and SWD Mates are almost similar to the work of Sewer-man/sewer-mates and SWD Lorry Bel dars. They are Class IV employees and have same status and similar respon sibilities. The NDMC has formed a group of various categories of Class IV employees called Safai Karamcharies for the purpose of promotion to the post of Assistant Sanitary Inspector. The SWD Beldars and SWD Mates are also included in the said group along with the sewer-men, sever-mates and other. In this view of the matter, the action of the NDMC in denying the SS Committee pay-scales to the petitioners is arbitrary, discriminatory and is violative of Articles Hand 16ofthe Constitution of India. This decision also does not help Mr. Singh in the facts and circumstances of the present case. Inas much as here the nature of work and the responsibility are completely different. Source of recruitment is also different. Thus, the ratio in the said case cannot be attracted in the present case on account of distinguishing feature as referred to above. 23. Mr. Singh in the facts and circumstances of the present case. Inas much as here the nature of work and the responsibility are completely different. Source of recruitment is also different. Thus, the ratio in the said case cannot be attracted in the present case on account of distinguishing feature as referred to above. 23. Mr. Singh had also relied on a decision in the case of K. Krish namacharyuly and others v. Sri Venkatesh-wara Hindu College of Engineering and another, AIR 1998 SC 295 . In the said case teachers in the private college were treated at par with those of the Govern ment college with regard to the pay scales. This finding was arrived at on the basis of the fact that the executive instructions is sued by the Government had given the teachers in the private college a right to claim pay scales at par with Government employees holding that the teachers work ing in the private colleges acquires an ele ment of public interest in the performance of their duties and consequently the ele ment of public interest requires to regu late the conditions of service of those employees at par with Government employees and is in consequence they are also entitled to the parity of pay scales as per the executive instructions of the Government while holding that in view of element of public interest, writ petition was maintainable in the said case. The ratio decided in the said case does not help Mr. Singh. Inasmuch as there was no dis tinction between the two groups of teachers who are performing the same duties and same jobs. In any event, nothing less has been discussed in the said judg ment so as to remove the distinction of the two groups as are staring on their faces in the present case. 24. For all these reasons as indicated above from the facts disclosed, it is ap parent that there is an intelligible differen tiation between the two groups involved in this case with regard to its nature of work, the responsibilities involved and the source of recruitment therefore, the prin ciple for equal pay for equal work cannot be attracted. 25. The writ petition, therefore, fails and, it accordingly dismissed. No cost. 26. This judgment was dictated in open court on 18-3-1999 but the transcrip tion was not ready. 25. The writ petition, therefore, fails and, it accordingly dismissed. No cost. 26. This judgment was dictated in open court on 18-3-1999 but the transcrip tion was not ready. Since in the meantime almost about two months have lapsed, the matter has been placed for order and the judgment is signed today. Petition dismissed. .