PREM SINGH Vs THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH SECRETARY
Bench: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN MISHRA, HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.R. SHAH
Judgment by: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN MISHRA
Case number: C.A. No.-006798-006798 / 2019
Diary number: 1851 / 2011
Advocates: DINESH KUMAR GARG Vs
KAMLENDRA MISHRA
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REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 6798 OF 2019
(@ SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (C) NO.4371 OF 2011)
PREM SINGH ..APPELLANT
VERSUS
STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH
& ORS. ..RESPONDENT(S)
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 6804 OF 2019
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CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 6799-6803 OF 2019
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CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 6938-6942 OF 2019
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(DIARY NO(S).11803 OF 2018)
MA NO.1541 OF 2018 IN S.L.P. (C) NO.19310 OF 2017
MA NO.1542 OF 2018 IN S.L.P. (C) NO.19234 OF 2017
MA NO.1544 OF 2018 IN S.L.P. (C) NO.19346 OF 2017)
MA NO.1545 OF 2018 IN S.L.P. (C) NO.19350 OF 2017)
MA NO.1546 OF 2018 IN S.L.P. (C) NO.19740 OF 2017
MA NO.1543 OF 2018 IN S.L.P. (C) NO.19297 OF 2017
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 6805 OF 2019
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J U D G M E N T
ARUN MISHRA, J.
1. The question involved in the present matters is whether Rule 3(8)
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of the U.P. Retirement Benefit Rules, 1961 (in short “Rules of 1961“)
and Regulation 370 of the Civil Services Regulation of Uttar Pradesh
should be struck down having regard to the fact that this Court has
upheld the decision regarding pari materia provision enacted in the
State of Punjab which excluded computation of the period of work-
charged services from qualifying service for pension. This Court has
affirmed the decision of the High Court of State of Punjab and Haryana
rendered in Kesar Singh v. the State of Punjab, AIR 1988 Punjab and
Haryana 265.
2. A Division Bench of this Court has referred the matter to be
considered by a larger bench. Hence the matter is before us.
3. The facts are being narrated from Prem Singh v. State of Uttar
Pradesh (C.A. No.________of 2019 @ SLP (Civil) No.4371 of 2011). The
appelant was appointed as a Welder in the year 1965 in a work-
charged establishment (Ram Ganga River Valley Project, Kalagarh). He
was transferred from one place to another and thereafter ultimately
the Selection Committee recommended for regularization of his
services. His services were regularized on 13.3.2002 and was posted
as Pump Operator in the pay scale of Rs.3050-4590 in the regular
establishment. He superannuated on 31.1.2007. Then he filed a writ
petition in the High Court on 31.7.2008 to count period spent in the
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work-charged establishment as qualifying service under the Rules of
1965. The High Court directed to submit a representation, accordingly
it was filed which met with rejection on 12.12.2008. Yet another
representation filed also met with the same fate vide order dated
23.3.2009. The writ petition and special appeal had been dismissed.
4. The appellant has placed reliance upon the decision of this Court
in Habib Khan vs. State of Uttarakhand (Civil Appeal No.10805-10807
of 2017) in which a Division Bench of this Court considering
Regulation 370 of the Civil Service Regulations which has been
approved in the State of Uttarakhand after its bifurcation from the
State of Uttar Pradesh, held that Regulation 370 is pari materia
provision to the one as contained in Rule 3.17 (ii) of the Punjab Civil
Services Rules which had been struck down by a Full Bench decision
of Punjab and Haryana High Court in Kesar Chand vs. State of Punjab
and Ors. (supra). The challenge to the same was rejected by this
Court. The Court has further relied on Punjab State Electricity Board &
Anr. v. Narata Singh and Anr., (2010) 4 SCC 317 in which it has been
observed that the High Court of Punjab and Haryana was perfectly
justified in striking down Rule 3.17(ii) of Punjab Civil Services Rules
resulting in obliteration of the distinction made in said rule between
temporary and officiating service and work-charged service. This Court
held that period of work-charged service should be counted for
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computation of qualifying service for grant of pension.
5. This Court in other cases has followed the aforesaid decision in
Habib Khan v. State of Uttarakhand (supra) giving relief to the
employees. In Ram Deo Tiwari v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors. (Civil
Appeal No.2896 of 2018) decided on 16.3.2018, the decision of Habib
Khan (supra) has been followed. This Court has dismissed the Review
application filed in the case of Habib Khan (supra).
6. It is submitted by Shri Raghuvendra Singh, learned Advocate
General appearing for the State of Uttar Pradesh that there is a
difference in the Rules and Regulations in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
The rule of Punjab was struck down by the High Court in Kesar Chand
vs. State of Punjab (supra). In Punjab, there was deemed
regularization whereas in State of Uttar Pradesh services have been
regularized on a particular date; as such that date has to be taken as
the commencement of the services for the qualifying period for a
pension under Rule 3(8) of the Rules. He has also pointed out the
conceptual difference between regular and work-charged employees.
Work-charged employees are not appointed by following the same
procedure as that of regular employees. Work pressure and
accountability also differ. He has further submitted that work-charged
services cannot be treated as regular service even for Assured Career
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Progression (ACP). The Government has the power to frame different
rules for different classes of employees as such Rule 3(8) of the Rules
and Regulation 370 cannot be said to be arbitrary and discriminatory.
Though, work-charged employees can claim protection under the
Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 but cannot be treated at par with
employees of regular establishment. Treating them similarly would be
like giving similar treatment to unequal classes which would be
against the Right to Equality provided under Article 14 of the
Constitution of India. Work-charged employee forms a separate and
distinct class. They cannot be treated at par with regular, temporary
or ad-hoc employees. The work is qualitatively different as such
services in the work-charged establishment cannot be clubbed with
the services of a regular establishment unless a specific provision to
that effect is made. Giving the benefit of pension to work-charged
employees is against the basic concept of pension which is admissible
to a regular employee. The pension cannot be claimed as of right.
7. He further submitted that the decision in Kesar Chand (supra) is
per incuriam. Hence relied on the Secretary, State of Karnataka v. Uma
Devi & Ors. 2006 (4) SCC 1. It is further submitted that economy of
the State would collapse in case pension is paid treating the work
charged period as qualifying service. It is practically difficult and
financial burden would be cast upon the State in case these petitions
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are allowed. The pension can be paid only under the rules. In Narata
Singh (supra) validity of Punjab Regulations has not been examined.
Since there is a reference made by the Division Bench doubting the
correctness of Habib Khan (supra), the same deserves to be held per
incuriam and cannot be said to be laying down a good law.
8. We first consider the provisions contained in the Uttar Pradesh
Retirement Benefits Rules 1961 (for short, "the 1961 Rules"). Rule 3(8)
of Rules of 1961 which contains the provisions in respect of qualifying
service is extracted hereunder:
“Rule 3. In these rules, unless is anything repugnant in the
subject or context-
(1) …….. (2) …….. (8) “Qualifying service” means service which qualifies for
pension in accordance with the provisions of Article 368 of the
Civil Service Regulations.
Provided that continuous temporary or officiating service
under the Government of Uttar Pradesh followed without
interruption by confirmation in the same or any other post
except-
(i) periods of temporary or officiating service in a non- pensionable establishment.
(ii) periods of service in a work-charged establishment and (iii) periods of service in a post paid from contingencies shall
also count as qualifying service.
Note:- If service rendered in a non-pensionable establishment
work-charged establishment or in a post paid from contingencies
falls between two periods of temporary service in a pensionable
establishment or between a period of temporary service and
permanent service in a pensionable establishment, it will not
constitute an interruption of service.”
(emphasis supplied)
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9. Regulations 361, 368 and 370 of Uttar Pradesh Civil Services
Regulations are also relevant. They are extracted hereunder:
“361. The service of an officer does not qualify for pension
unless it conforms to the following three conditions: -
First – The service must be under Government.
Second – The employment must be substantive and
permanent.
These three conditions are fully explained in the
following Section.
368. Service does not qualify unless the officer holds a
substantive office on a permanent establishment.
370. Continuous temporary or officiating service under the
Government of Uttar Pradesh followed without
interruption by confirmation in the same or any other
post shall qualify, except –
(i) periods of temporary or officiating service in non-
pensionable establishment;
(ii) periods of service in work charged establishment; and
(iii) periods of service in a post paid from contingencies.”
10. The qualifying service is the one which is in accordance with the
provisions of Regulation 368 i.e. holding a substantive post on a
permanent establishment. The proviso to Rule 3(8) clarify that
continuous, temporary or officiating service followed without
interruption by confirmation in the same or any other post is also
included in the qualifying service except in the case of periods of
temporary and officiating service in a non-pensionable establishment.
The service in work-charged establishment and period of service in a
post paid from contingencies shall also not count as qualifying service.
11. The Note appended to Rule 3(8) contains a provision that if the
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service is rendered in a non-pensionable establishment, work-charged
establishment or in a post paid from contingencies, falls between two
periods of temporary service in a pensionable establishment or
between a period of temporary service and permanent service in a
pensionable establishment, it will not constitute an interruption of
service. Thus, note contains a clear provision to count the qualifying
service rendered in work-charged, contingency paid and non-
pensionable establishment to be counted towards pensionable service,
in the exigencies provided therein.
12. The provisions contained in Regulation 370 of the Civil Services
Regulations excludes service in a non-pensionable establishment,
work-charged establishment and in a post paid from contingencies
from the purview of qualifying service. Under Regulation 361 of the
Civil Services Regulations, the services must be under the Government
and the employment must be substantive and permanent basis.
13. The provisions contained in the Financial Handbook Vol. VI
relating to engagement of employees in the work charged
establishment in Paras 667, 668 and 669, are extracted hereunder:
"667. Work-charged establishment will include such
establishment as is employed upon the actual execution, as
distinct from the general supervision, of a specific work or sub-
works of a specific project or upon the subordinate supervision
of departmental labour, stores, and machinery in connection with
such work or sub-works. When employees borne on the
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temporary establishment are employed on work of this nature
their pay should, for the time being, be charged direct to the
work.
Notes – (1) Persons who actually do the work with their hands,
such as, beldars, masons, carpenters, fitters, mechanics, drivers,
etc., should be engaged only when works are carried out
departmentally, and charged to works. In cases in which it is
considered necessary, as a safeguard against damage to the
Government Tools and Plant, such as road-rollers, concrete-
mixture, pumping-sets, and other machinery, mechanics, drivers,
etc., may be engaged by the Department or alternatively, if
engaged by the contractor must be subject to approval by the
department, whether the work is done departmentally or by
contract.
(2) Mistries and work agent should, in all circumstances,
whether they are employed on works executed departmentally or
on contract, be charged to “works”.
(3) Subject to the general principles stated in Paras 665 to 667
being observed, the classes of establishment not covered by these
definitions may be classified as "work-charged, or temporary",
as the case may be, and the rule which prescribes that work-
charged establishment must be employed upon a specific work
waived, with the previous sanction of the Government and
concurrence of the Accountant General. In such cases, the
Government shall also determine in consultation with the
Accountant General, the proportions in which the cost of such
establishment shall be allocated between the works concerned.
668. In all the cases previous sanction of the competent authority
as laid down in Vol. I of the Handbook or in the departmental
manuals of orders is necessary, which should specify in respect
of each appointment (1) the consolidated rate of pay, (2) the
period of sanction, and (3) the full name (as given in the
estimate) of the work and the nature of the duties on which the
person engaged would be employed.
669. Members of the work-charged establishment are not entitled
to any pension or to leave salary or allowances except in the
following cases:
(a) Wound and other extraordinary pensions and gratuities are in
certain cases admissible in accordance with the rules in Part VI
of the Civil Service Regulations.
(b) Travelling and daily allowance may be allowed by divisional
officers for journeys performed within the State in the interest of
work on which the persons are employed on the following
conditions:
(i) The journey should be sanctioned by the divisional officer
20
or the sub-divisional officer/ assistant engineer specifically
authorized for the purpose by the divisional officer;
(ii) the concerned officer while sanctioning the journey should
also certify that the journey is actually necessary and
unavoidable in the interest of the work on which the person is
employed:
(iii) for the journeys so performed the work-charged
employee may be allowed travelling and daily allowance at
the same rates and on the same conditions as are applicable to
a regular government servant of equivalent status.
4. All facilities and concessions admissible to workmen of facto- ries registered under the Factories Act, 1948, are also admissible
to the employees of the registered State Workshops and Facto-
ries.”
14. Para 669 of the manual provides that except in the case as
mentioned thereunder the members of work-charged establishment
are not entitled to any pension or to leave salary or allowances.
15. In Kesar Chand v. the State of Punjab, AIR 1988 Punjab and
Haryana (supra) has been rendered by Full Bench of Punjab and
Haryana High Court. The Rule 3.17 (ii) of the Punjab Rules came up
for consideration before the Full Bench which reads as under:
Rule 3.17. “if an employee was holding substantively a
permanent post on the date of his retirement, his temporary or
officiating service under the State Government, followed without
interruption by confirmation in the same or another post, shall
count in Full as qualifying service except in respect of –
(i) periods of temporary or officiating service in non-pensionable establishment;
(ii) periods of service in work-charged establishment; and (iii) ……”
16. A Full Bench of the High Court in Kesar Chand (supra) has
21
discussed the matter thus:
“19. In the light of the above, let us examine the validity of rule
3.17(ii) of the Punjab Civil Services Rules, Vol. II. This rule says
that the period of service in a work-charged establishment shall
not be taken into account in calculating the qualifying service.
After the services of a work-charged employee have been
regularised he becomes a public servant. The service is under the
Government and is paid by it. This is what was precisely stated
in the Industrial Award dated June 1, 1972, between the
workmen and the Chief Engineer, P.W.D. (B. & R),
Establishment Branch, Punjab, Patiala, which was published in
the Government Gazette dated July 14, 1972. Even otherwise.
the matter was settled by the Punjab Government Memo
No.14095-BRI (3)-72/5383 dated 6th February 1973(Annexure
P7) where it was stated that all those work charged employees
who had put in ten years of service or more as on 15th August
1972, their services would be deemed to have been regularised.
Once the services of a work-charged employee have been
regularised, there appears to be hardly any logic to deprive him
of the pensionary benefits as are available to other public
servants under Rule 3.17 of the Rules. Equal protection of laws
must mean the protection of equal laws for all persons similarly
situated. Article 14 strikes at arbitrariness because an arbitrary
provision involves negation equality. Even the temporary or
officiating service under the State Government has to be
reckoned for determining the qualifying service. It looks to be
illogical that the period of service spent by an employee in a
work-charged establishment before his regularisation has not
been taken into consideration for determining his qualifying
service. The classification which is sought to be made among
Government servants who are eligible for pension and those who
started as work-charged employees and their services regularised
subsequently, and the others are based on any intelligible criteria
and, therefore, is not sustainable at law. After the services of a
work-charged employee have been regularised, he is a public
servant like other servant. To deprive him of the pension is not
only unjust and inequitable but is hit by the vice of arbitrariness,
and for these reasons, the provisions of sub-rule (ii) of Rule 3.17
of the Rules have to be struck down being violative of Article 14
of the Constitution.
20. In relaxation of Rule 3.17(ii) of Rules by the respondent-
authorities, the service of sixteen work-charged employees was
counted for pensionary benefits and gratuity vide Government of
22
Punjab, Department of Irrigation and Power (Irrigation Branch)
Memo No. 2/5/81/- IB(6)/16411 dated 7th November,
1982(Annexure P2) which reads as under :--
"Sanction of the Government of Punjab is accorded in
relaxation of Rule 3.17 of Punjab Civil Services Rule, Vol.
II for counting of previous work-charged service towards
gratuity in respect of 16 work-charged employees of
Nangal Workshop mentioned in the enclosed statement
subject to the Conditions that no terminal benefit is/has
been given to these work-charged employees at the time of
regularisation of their service.
Sanction of the Governor of Punjab is also accorded to the
counting of service of these 16 work-charged employees
towards pension as a special case provided no benefit has
already been drawn by them in lieu of pensionary benefits."
If respondent No. 1 has granted exemption from rules
in certain cases, we do not find any justifiable reason for
excluding others from the grant of pension and gratuity
benefits. For this reason, too, we find Rule 3.17(ii) is bad at
law, as it enables the Government to discriminate between
employees similarly situated.
21. In fairness to Mr. Bedi, the learned Addl. Advocate-General,
the submission made by him may be adverted to. It was
contended that (i) a work-charged employee is engaged for a
particular purpose upon completion of which his services come
to an end, (ii) no order has been passed by the State Government
confirming the petitioner against the post on which his services
are regularised and resultantly he does not fulfil the conditions
entitling a Government servant for pension, as envisaged by Rule
3.12 of the Rules. The counsel also tried to justify the
Government action by placing reliance on Rule 1.4 of the Punjab
Civil Services Rules, Vol. I. It was further contended that P.W.D.
(B & R), Establishment Branch is not an industry and in support
of this submission he relied on State of Punjab v. Kuldip Singh,
ILR (1982) 2 Punj. and Har 544; (AIR 1983 NOC 94) (FB) and
Om Parkash v. The Management of M/s. Executive Engineer,
SYL Division, Kurukshetra, ILR (1984) 2 Punj. & Har. 215:
(1984 Lab IC 1165) (FB) .
22. His first submission is devoid of any merit. In para 3 of the
petition, it is specifically averred that the petitioner had regular
23
service, without any break of a single day, right from 1951 to the
date of his superannuation in the year 1977. In the corresponding
para of the written statement, this assertion has not been denied
but the only plea taken is that his qualifying service for pension
and gratuity starts from 15th August 1972, i.e., the day from
which he was brought on regular cadre; and that his service in
the work-charged establishment does not count for pension under
R. 3.17(ii) of the Rules. The plea that he has been in continuous
service has not been denied. It appears that on the completion of
one project, the petitioners were engaged in another project
either with break in service or without any break. Every plea
raised in a petition has to be specifically denied and in the
absence of a specific denial, the assertions made in the petition
will normally be deemed to have been admitted or at least the
court can proceed on the basis that it is an uncontroverted fact.
Since there is no denial by the respondents that the petitioner has
been in continuous service since 1951, it would be presumed that
he has been in continuous service till the date of superannuation.
The second contention that no order has been passed by the State
Government confirming the petitioner against the post on which
his services were regularised, and so on, is also without merit.
The regularisation of services must be against a particular post,
and the petitioner will be deemed to have been made permanent
on the post against which his services have been regularised.
This precisely appears to be the purport of the Punjab
Government Memo (Annexure P7), and the award of the
Industrial Tribunal dated June 1, 1972, published in the
Government Gazette dated July 14, 1972, referred to earlier. In
the award, it was specifically held that the work-charged
employees who had put in three years of continuous service are
entitled to be made permanent and to be confirmed after having
put in five years' service as demanded by the workmen. The
award may bind the workmen and the management of the P.W.D.
(B&R) Establishment Branch. Technically speaking it may not
be binding on other branches of the P.W.D. Once the services of
a work-charged employee are regularised he will be deemed to
be entitled to the benefit under R. 3.17 of the Rules."
(emphasis supplied)
The services were deemed to have been regularized on the
completion of ten years of the service as per Punjab Government Memo
dated 6th February 1983. Even otherwise, the High Court has held that
24
once the employees have been regularized, there appears to be hardly
any logic to deprive them of their pensionary benefits as available to
them under the Rule 3.17 of the Punjab Civil Services Rules. It would
be unjust and inequitable to deprive them of parity rendered under
work-charged establishment.
17. It has also been held that the exemption was granted from the
rules in certain cases. Since the rule enables the Government to
discriminate between similarly situated employees the same deserved
to be struck down. There is no reason to exclude others from the
grant of pension and gratuity benefits. The aforesaid decision has not
been interfered by this Court.
18. In Punjab State Electricity Board v. Narata Singh (2010) 4 SCC
317, this Court once again considered the similar question of
determination of qualifying service for grant of pensionary benefits, in
particular, the benefit of the previous service in work-charged capacity
with the State Government and whether it can be included as
pensionable service. The Punjab State Electricity Board by Circular
dated 25.5.1985 adopted policy decision of State Government
contained in the letter dated 20.5.1982. The effect of the adoption of
the policy decision was that temporary employees who had been
retrenched from the services of Central/State Government and have
25
succeeded in obtaining employment in Punjab State Electricity Board
are entitled to count prior service rendered under Central/State
Government, to the extent, such service was qualified for grant of
pension under the rule of Central/ State Government. Relying upon
Kesar Chand v. the State of Punjab (supra) it has been held that
employee holding substantively a permanent post on the date of
retirement is entitled to count in full as qualifying service the period of
service rendered in the work-charged establishment. Thus, the
department could not have excluded the same on the ground that it
was rendered on the non-pensionable establishment.
19. The facts in the case of Narata Singh (supra) were that the
Respondent No.1 was employed on a work-charged basis from
1.2.1952 to 18.9.1953. From 25.9.1953 he joined as a work-charged
employee in Bhakra Dam Project and resigned therefrom on
27.1.1962. He thereafter joined the Beas Dam Project on 1.2.1962 and
worked at the said project till 15.4.1978 as a work-charged employee.
He was retrenched from that project w.e.f. 15.4.1978 and was paid
retrenchment compensation by the competent authority of the project.
Bhakra Dam Project and Beas Dam Project are under the Department
of Irrigation and Power, State of Punjab. Thus, the services rendered
under the two projects were in fact services under the State of Punjab.
The respondent No.1 was then appointed on the work-charged basis by
26
Punjab State Electricity Board as Special Foremen w.e.f. 6.8.1982 to
5.1.1984. Then on 6.1.1984, he was appointed on a regular basis. On
attaining the age of superannuation, he moved a representation for
grant of pension and other retiral benefits based on taking into
account the entire service rendered by him on the work-charged basis
under the State Government. By order dated 25.1.1991, the pension
was declined and the only gratuity was paid to him. The stand of the
Board was that respondent No.1 served for 7 years 11 months and 25
days. As such he was not entitled to grant of pension. The Division
Bench of the High Court allowed the writ petition and directed Board
to include work-charged service rendered by respondent No.1 with the
State of Punjab, to determine qualifying service for grant of pension.
The Court also relied upon circular dated 29.5.1992. As the appeal
was preferred in this Court, the case was remitted for consideration on
merits of the Contributory Provident Fund Scheme. Thereafter, Single
Judge dismissed the writ application which was questioned in the
Letters Patent Appeal filed by Narata Singh. The Division Bench after
taking into consideration the documents which were filed directed
reconsideration of the matter and kept the appeal pending. Again, the
Board rejected the matter by speaking order dated 16.11.2005.
Thereafter, the appeal was decided by the High Court for grant of
pensionary benefits on the ground that he served in the work-charged
27
capacity which was outside the purview of the Board and the said
service was non-pensionable so far as the State Government was
concerned. Relying upon the Kesar Chand v. State of Punjab, the
Division Bench concluded that the rule which excluded the counting of
work-charged service of an employee whose services were regularized
subsequently was bad in law. The Central/State Government in
consultation decided to share the proportionate pension liability on a
pro-rata, service share basis. The effect of the policy decision of the
Central Government and State Government was that temporary
employee, who has been retrenched from the services of Central/ State
Government and had secured employment with the Punjab State
Electricity Board was entitled to count temporary service rendered by
him under the Central/ State Government to the extent that such
service was qualified for grant of pension under rules of Central/ State
Government. This Court in Narata Singh (supra) relied upon Kesar
Chand (supra) and has observed:
“25. In Kesar Chand v. State of Punjab 1988 (5) SLR 27 (P&H)
the Full Bench held that Rule 3.17(ii) of the Punjab Civil Ser-
vices Rules was violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of In-
dia. The Full Bench decision was challenged before this Court
by filing a special leave petition which was dismissed. Thus, the
ratio laid down by the Full Bench judgment that any rule which
excludes the counting of work-charged service of an employee
whose services have been regularised subsequently, must be held
to be bad in law was not disturbed by this Court. The distinction
made between an employee who was in temporary or officiating
service and who was in work-charged service as mentioned in
Rule 3.17(ii) of the Punjab Civil Services Rules disappeared
28
when the said Rule was struck down by the Full Bench. The ef-
fect was that an employee holding substantively a permanent
post on the date of his retirement was entitled to count in full as
qualifying service the periods of service in work-charged estab-
lishments.
26. In view of this settled position, there is no manner of doubt
that the work-charged service rendered by Respondent 1 under
the Government of Punjab was qualified for grant of pension un-
der the rules of the Government of Punjab and therefore, the
Board was not correct in rejecting the claim of the respondent for
inclusion of period of work-charged service rendered by him
with the State Government for grant of pension, on the ground
that service rendered by him in the work-charged capacity out-
side PSEB and in the Departments of the State Government was
a non-pensionable service.
27. The apprehension that acceptance of the case of Respondent
1 would result into conferring a status on them as that of em-
ployees of the State of Punjab has no factual basis. It is true that
the State Government has power to frame rules governing ser-
vices of its employees under Article 309 of the Constitution
whereas the Board has power to prescribe conditions of service
by framing regulations under Section 79(c) of the Electricity
(Supply) Act, 1948. However, governance of a particular institu-
tion and issuance of instructions to fill up the gap in the fields
where statutory provisions do not operate, is recognised as a val-
id mode of administration in modern times.
40. So far as this argument is concerned, it is true that the Divi-
sion Bench of the High Court has expressed the above opinion in
the impugned judgment. However, the reference to Rule 3.17(ii)
of the Punjab Civil Services Rules as well as the Full Bench de-
cision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Kesar Chand v.
State of Punjab (supra) and the speaking order dated 16-11-2005
passed by the Board rejecting the claim of Respondent 1 makes
it abundantly clear that the High Court has directed the appel-
lants to count the period of service rendered by Respondent 1 in
work-charged capacity with the State Government for determin-
ing qualifying service for the purpose of pension. Further, Re-
spondent 1 has been directed to deposit the amount of Employ-
ee’s Contributory Fund which he had received from the appel-
lants along with interest as per the directions of the Board before
the pension is released to him.”
(emphasis supplied)
20. In Habib Khan v. the State of Uttarakhand, (Civil Appeal
29
No.10806 of 2017), State Public Services Tribunal directed the
counting of the service rendered by a work-charged employee as
‘qualifying service' for the pension. Writ Petition No.24 of 2007 was
filed by the State of Uttarakhand against the said order. The same
was dismissed by the High Court. Against the said order Special Leave
to Appeal was filed by the State which was also dismissed. Later on,
the Full Bench of the Uttarakhand High Court took the view that the
period of work-charged service cannot be counted for computation of
the period of ‘qualifying service'. Based on Full Bench decision, review
of the order dismissing Writ Petition No.24 of 2007 was sought which
was allowed by order dated 27th July 2012 the same was questioned in
this Court, then the SLP was dismissed as withdrawn. Based on
review petition, the matter was re-heard and the High Court vide order
dated 26th May 2015 has held that the work-charged service cannot be
counted for reckoning of the period of ‘qualifying service'. The decision
of the Full Bench of the Uttarakhand High Court passed after the
grant of review petition came up for consideration before this Court in
Habib Khan v. the State of Uttarakhand. Following order was passed
by this Court on 23.8.2017:
“6. The pari materia provision contained in Rule 3.17(ii) of the
Punjab Civil Services Rules had been struck down by a Full
Bench decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Kesar
Chand vs. State of Punjab and ors. (supra). The challenge by
the State against the aforesaid decision of the Full Bench of the
Punjab and Haryana High Court was negatived by this Court.
30
The matter came up for consideration before this Court, once
again, in the case of Punjab State Electricity Board and anr. Vs.
Narata Singh and anr. (2010) 4 SCC 317. While dealing with the
said question this Court in paragraph 25 of the report held that
the Full Bench decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court
was perfectly justified in striking down Rule 3.17(ii) of the
Punjab Civil Services Rules resulting in obliteration of the
distinction made in the said Rules between 'temporary and
officiating service' and 'work-charged service'. On the said basis,
this Court took the view that the period of work-charged service
should be reckoned for purposes of computation of ‘qualifying
service’ for grant of pension.
7. As already observed, the provisions of Rule 370 of the Civil
Service Regulations applicable to the State of Uttarakhand are
pari materia with the provisions of Rule 3.17(ii) of the Punjab
Civil Services Rules, discussed above. If that is so, 'we do not
see as to why the period of service rendered on work-charged ba-
sis by the appellants should not be counted for purposes of com-
putation of 'qualifying service' for grant of pension. The pari ma-
teria provisions of Rule 3.17 (ii) of the Punjab Civil Services
Rules having been interpreted and understood in the above man-
ner by this Court in Narata Singh (supra) we do not find any
room for taking any other view except to hold that the appellants
are entitled to reckon the period of work-charged service for
purposes of computation of ‘qualifying service’ for grant of pen-
sion. We order accordingly; allow these appeals and set aside
the impugned orders passed by the High Court.
8. All necessary and consequential benefit in terms of the present
order will be paid and granted by the State to the appellants
forthwith and without any delay.”
21. This Court ordered the counting of work-charged service period
towards qualifying service on the basis that pari materia provision
contained in Rule 3.17(ii) of the Punjab Civil Services Rules has been
struck down in Kesar Chand v. State of Punjab & Ors (supra). This
Court has also relied upon Punjab State Electricity Board v. Narata
Singh & Anr. (supra) to grant the relief.
31
22. Learned Advocate General appearing for the State of Uttar
Pradesh has referred to the decision in Jaswant Singh & Ors. v. Union
of India & Ors. (1979) 4 SCC 440 to contend that work-charged
employee is the one who is engaged temporarily and their appointment
was made, from the very nature of their employment, till the
completion of the specified work. Work-charged employees are entitled
to the benefits of the provisions contained in the Industrial Disputes
Act. This Court also observed that they are in a better position than
temporary servants who are liable to be thrown out of employment
without any kind of compensatory benefits. The facts indicate that out
of 36,000 work-charged employees of the Beas Project 26,000 had
accepted retrenchment compensation. Concerning the status of work-
charged establishment and its employees this Court has observed
thus:
“42. A work-charged establishment broadly means an establish-
ment of which the expenses, including the wages and allowances
of the staff, are chargeable to “works”. The pay and allowances
of employees who are borne on a work-charged establishment
are generally shown as a separate sub-head of the estimated cost
of the works.
43. The entire strength of labour employed for the purpose of the
Beas Project was work-charged. The work-charged employees
are engaged on a temporary basis and their appointments are
made for the execution of a specified work. From the very nature
of their employment, their services automatically come to an end
on the completion of the works for the sole purpose of which
they are employed. They do not get any relief under the Payment
of Gratuity Act nor do they receive any retrenchment benefits or
any benefits under the Employees State Insurance Schemes.
32
44. But though the work-charged employees are denied these
benefits, they are industrial workers and are entitled to the bene-
fits of the provisions contained in the Industrial Disputes Act.
Their rights flow from that special enactment under which even
contracts of employment are open to adjustment and modifica-
tion. The work-charged employees, therefore, are in a better po-
sition than temporary servants like the other petitioners who are
liable to be thrown out of employment without any kind of com-
pensatory benefits.
49. We would like to say that in regard to the work-charged em-
ployees, it is high time that the Government framed specific
rules to govern their employment so as to dispel all doubts and
confusion.”
(emphasis supplied)
23. The question involved in the aforesaid matter was relating to the
workers working in the construction work of the Beas Project in the
power sector who were retrenched. They were appointed temporarily
and under the terms and conditions of their employment, the services
come to an end. This Court observed that employees could not claim
the quasi-permanent status. Such temporary employees were not
entitled to that benefit. Once a settlement has been reached by the
work-charged employees they were bound by the settlement arrived.
24. In view of the observations made by this Court in Jaswant Singh
case (supra), it cannot be disputed that work-charged employees are
appointed for a particular project and it was observed that their status
was better than temporary employees. Though they cannot claim
quasi-permanent status. At the same time, work-charged employees
could claim their benefits under the provisions of the Industrial
33
Disputes Act. This Court at the same time had observed that the time
has come that Government should frame specific rules concerning
service conditions of work-charged employees to dispel all doubts and
confusion. The work-charged employees in the Jaswant Singh (supra)
were appointed for a particular project and thereafter on completion of
the same they were removed. The question involved in the present
matters is different, whether after regularization employees are entitled
to count their service. The question involved in Jaswant Singh (supra)
was different and no such rule like Rule 3(8) of Rules of 1961 was
involved.
25. Learned Advocate General has relied upon the decision in State
of Rajasthan v. Kunji Raman (1997) 2 SCC 517 in which this Court
considered the concept of equal pay for equal work. This Court held
that the concept of equal pay for equal work did not apply to work-
charged employee vis-à-vis to the regular employee of PWD, they form
two separate and distinct classes. This Court held that framing of the
separate rules for a work-charged employee by excluding them from
the general rules applicable to an employee of the regular
establishment was not arbitrary or discriminatory. The rules framed
by the State of Rajasthan came up for consideration. In that context,
this Court has pointed out the distinction in the work-charged
34
establishment and regular establishment. The work-charged
employees were denied Project Allowance and Leave Encashment
Allowance on the ground that Rajasthan Services Rules, 1951 and
Rajasthan Service (Concessions on Project) Rules, 1962 did not apply
to them. The High Court rejected the submission that the payment of
compensatory allowance to the employees is contrary to the principles
of consideration or equal pay for equal work. It upheld the validity of
rule (g), (h) and (i) for Rajasthan Service Rules, 1951 and held that
work-charged employees are entitled to project allowance at the same
rate as it was being paid to employees of the regular establishment.
The High Court struck down Rules 2 (b) and (d) of Project Rules, 1962
and Rules 4(2)(4) of Project Rules, 1975 as violative of Articles 14 and
16 of the Constitution. This Court referred to the decision of the
Jaswant Singh (supra) and has followed the same. This Court
observed thus:
“6. A work-charged establishment as pointed out by this Court in
Jaswant Singh v. Union of India (1979) 4 SCC 440 broadly
means an establishment of which the expenses, including the
wages and allowances of the staff, are chargeable to “works”.
The pay and allowances of employees who are borne on a work-
charged establishment are generally shown as a separate sub-
head of the estimated cost of the works. The work-charged em-
ployees are engaged on a temporary basis and their appointments
are made for the execution of a specified work. From the very
nature of their employment, their services automatically come to
an end on the completion of the works for the sole purpose of
which they are employed. Thus, a work-charged establishment is
materially and qualitatively different from a regular establish-
ment.
35
7. In the State of Rajasthan, the Public Works Department is
maintaining two separate establishments: (1) Regular and (2)
Work-charged. The employees working in the regular establish-
ment are governed by the RSR and the work-charged employees
are governed by the Work-charged Employees Service Rules.
The RSR are made inapplicable, inter alia, to the work-charged
employees. The work-charged employees fall under two catego-
ries: (1) those who are working on a project and (2) those who
are not working on a project. It appears that for the workmen en-
gaged in the work-charged establishment of Mahi Bajaj Sagar
Project the Government has framed separate standing orders un-
der the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 and
they apply to all persons engaged in work-charged establishment
of the said Project whose terms of service are not regulated by
the RSR, Rajasthan Civil Service (Classification, Control, and
Appeal) Rules and any other Rules framed under Article 309 of
the Constitution by the Government of Rajasthan. The standing
orders provide not only for classification, recruitment, and ter-
mination of service but also for wages and allowances and other
service conditions of the persons engaged in the Mahi Project.
Whereas the employees who are not working on a project get
work-charged pay scale those who are working on a project get a
special pay scale and they are also entitled to other benefits and
allowances as are applicable to all the employees covered under
the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, Factories Act, 1948 and Indus-
trial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946. The petitioner
and other employees represented by him are undisputably gov-
erned by the said certified standing orders. They are not treated
as full-time government employees and, therefore, are free to uti-
lise their free time in the manner they wish. They are also enti-
tled to grant of overtime wages. A sub-division is regarded as a
unit for the purpose of establishment of the work-charged em-
ployees. A separate seniority list of each category is maintained
in each unit for the purpose of promotion as well as retrench-
ment. The service of a work-charged employee is ordinarily not
transferable from one work-charged establishment to another
work-charged establishment.”
(emphasis supplied)
This Court has reiterated that from the very nature of the work-
charged employee their services automatically comes to an end on
36
completion of the work for the sole purpose for which they are
employed. The services are not ordinarily transferable; thus, it is
different from a regular establishment.
26. Learned Advocate General has also referred to the decision in
Punjab State Electricity Board v. Jagjiwan Ram (2009) 3 SCC 661,
wherein the question arose granting the benefit of time-bound
promotion scales/ increments which was available in case the
incumbent has rendered service in the regular establishment. This
Court observed that regular service means services rendered after the
regular appointment and therefore does not include service rendered
under ad-hoc, temporary or work-charged employees. Therefore, the
work-charged employees could not have been granted the benefit of
time-bound advancement of the pay scales unless they complete the
prescribed period of service as regular employees. This Court again
considered the distinction between work-charged employees and
regular employees and observed that the sources and mode of
engagement of employees are different. Their pay and conditions of
employment are also different. The work-charged employees cannot be
treated at par with regular employees. They cannot claim
regularization as a right. However, they can claim protection under
the Industrial Disputes Act. The Office Order dated 23.4.1990 came for
consideration which made the ‘Time Bound benefit of Promotional
37
Scale” available to a person having rendered regular service. It cannot
be doubted that work-charged, as well as regular establishments, are
different. Their mode of recruitment is also different. This Court has
also observed that if the service of a work-charged employee is
regularized by any instruction or under any scheme then he becomes a
member of regular establishment from the date of regularization. The
service in the work-charged establishment cannot be clubbed with the
service of regular establishment unless a specific provision to that
effect is made either in the statute or in the scheme of regularization.
If under any regulation/ rule or the scheme, the services of the work-
charged employees are regularized the work-charged employees cannot
claim benefit for fixation of seniority in the regular cadre. This Court
in Jagjiwan Ram (supra) has observed thus:
“9. We have considered the respective submissions. Generally
speaking, a work-charged establishment is an establishment of
which the expenses are chargeable to works. The pay and allow-
ances of the employees who are engaged in a work-charged es-
tablishment are usually shown under a specified sub-head of the
estimated cost of works. The work-charged employees are en-
gaged for execution of specified work or project and their en-
gagement comes to an end on completion of the work or project.
The source and mode of engagement/recruitment of work-
charged employees, their pay and conditions of employment are
altogether different from the persons appointed in the regular es-
tablishment against sanctioned posts after following the proce-
dure prescribed under the relevant Act or rules and their duties
and responsibilities are also substantially different than those of
regular employees.
10. The work-charged employees can claim protection under the
Industrial Disputes Act or the rights flowing from any particular
statute but they cannot be treated on a par with the employees of
38
regular establishment. They can neither claim regularisation of
service as of right nor can they claim pay scales and other finan-
cial benefits on a par with regular employees. If the service of a
work-charged employee is regularised under any statute or a
scheme framed by the employer, then he becomes a member of
regular establishment from the date of regularisation. His service
in the work-charged establishment cannot be clubbed with ser-
vice in a regular establishment unless a specific provision to that
effect is made either in the relevant statute or the scheme of
regularisation. In other words, if the statute or scheme under
which service of work-charged employee is regularised does not
provide for counting of past service, the work-charged employee
cannot claim benefit of such service for the purpose of fixation
of seniority in the regular cadre, promotion to the higher posts,
fixation of pay in the higher scales, grant of increments, etc.
13. After noticing the earlier judgment in Jaswant Singh case,
the Court held: (Kunji Raman case, SCC pp. 521-23, paras 8-10)
“8. A work-charged establishment thus differs from a
regular establishment which is permanent in nature. Setting
up and continuance of a work-charged establishment is de-
pendent upon the Government undertaking a project or a
scheme or a ‘work’ and availability of funds for executing
it. So far as employees engaged in work-charged estab-
lishments are concerned, not only their recruitment and
service conditions but the nature of work and duties to be
performed by them are not the same as those of the em-
ployees of the regular establishment. A regular establish-
ment and a work-charged establishment are two separate
types of establishments and the persons employed in those
establishments thus form two separate and distinct classes.
For that reason, if a separate set of rules are framed for the
persons engaged in the work-charged establishment and the
general rules applicable to persons working on the regular
establishment are not made applicable to them, it cannot be
said that they are treated in an arbitrary and discriminatory
manner by the Government. It is well settled that the Gov-
ernment has the power to frame different rules for different
classes of employees. We, therefore, reject the contention
raised on behalf of the appellant in Civil Appeal No. 653 of
1993 that clauses (g), (h) and (i) of Rule 2 of the Rajasthan
Service Rules are violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the
Constitution and uphold the view taken by the High Court.
39
14. The ratio of the abovementioned judgments is that work-
charged employees constitute a distinct class and they cannot be
equated with any other category or class of employees much less
regular employees and further that the work-charged employees
are not entitled to the service benefits which are admissible to
regular employees under the relevant rules or policy framed by
the employer.
20. A reading of the scheme framed by the Board makes it clear
that the benefit of time-bound promotional scales was to be giv-
en to the employees only on their completing 9/16 years’ regular
service. Likewise, the benefit of promotional increments could
be given only on completion of 23 years’ regular service. The
use of the term “regular service” in various paragraphs of the
scheme shows that service rendered by an employee after regular
appointment could only be counted for computation of 9/16/23
years’ service and the service of a temporary, ad hoc or work-
charged employee cannot be counted for extending the benefit of
time-bound promotional scales or promotional increments. If the
Board intended that total service rendered by the employees irre-
spective of their mode of recruitment and status should be count-
ed for grant of time-bound promotional scales or promotional in-
crements, then instead of using the expression "9/16 years' regu-
lar service" or "23 years' regular service", the authority con-
cerned would have used the expression "9/16 years' service” or
“23 years’ service”. However, the fact of the matter is that the
scheme in its plainest term embodies the requirement of 9/16
years’ regular service or 23 years’ regular service as a condition
for grant of time-bound promotional scales or promotional in-
crements as the case may be.”
27. It is apparent from the aforesaid discussion that it would depend
upon the service rules or schemes whether the period of work-charged
service has to be counted for ACP, in case provision has been made
under a particular statute, rule or scheme, service rendered as work-
charged employees can be counted. It would depend upon the relevant
provision of which benefit is claimed. Again, this Court has
emphasized that by its very nature of employment work-charged
40
employees have not to continue for long, employment comes to an end
with the project.
28. The submission has been urged on behalf of the State of Uttar
Pradesh to differentiate the case between work-charged employees and
regular employees on the ground that due procedure is not followed for
appointment of work charged employees, they do not have that much
work pressure, they are unequal and cannot be treated equally, work-
charged employees form a totally different class, their work is
materially and qualitatively different, there cannot be any clubbing of
the services of the work-charged employees with the regular service
and vice versa, if a work-charged employee is treated as in the regular
service it will dilute the basic concept of giving incentive and reward to
a permanent and responsible regular employee.
29. We are not impressed by the aforesaid submissions. The
appointment of the work-charged employee in question had been made
on monthly salary and they were required to cross the efficiency bar
also. How their services are qualitatively different from regular
employees? No material indicating qualitative difference has been
pointed out except making bald statement. The appointment was not
made for a particular project which is the basic concept of the work
charged employees. Rather, the very concept of work-charged
41
employment has been misused by offering the employment on
exploitative terms for the work which is regular and perennial in
nature. The work-charged employees had been subjected to transfer
from one place to another like regular employees as apparent from
documents placed on record. In Narain Dutt Sharma & Ors. v. State of
Uttar Pradesh & Ors. (CA No.______2019 @ SLP (C) No.5775 of 2018)
the appellants were allowed to cross efficiency bar, after ‘8’ years of
continuous service, even during the period of work-charged services.
Narain Dutt Sharma, the appellant, was appointed as a work-charged
employee as Gej Mapak w.e.f 15.9.1978. Payment used to be made
monthly but the appointment was made in the pay scale of Rs.200-
320. Initially, he was appointed in the year 1978 on a fixed monthly
salary of Rs.205 per month. They were allowed to cross efficiency bar
also as the benefit of pay scale was granted to them during the period
they served as work-charged employees they served for three to four
decades and later on services have been regularized time to time by
different orders. However, the services of some of the appellants in few
petitions/ appeals have not been regularized even though they had
served for several decades and ultimately reached the age of
superannuation.
30. In the aforesaid facts and circumstances, it was unfair on the
part of the State Government and its officials to take work from the
42
employees on the work-charged basis. They ought to have resorted to
an appointment on regular basis. The taking of work on the work-
charged basis for long amounts to adopting the exploitative device.
Later on, though their services have been regularized. However, the
period spent by them in the work-charged establishment has not been
counted towards the qualifying service. Thus, they have not only been
deprived of their due emoluments during the period they served on less
salary in work charged establishment but have also been deprived of
counting of the period for pensionary benefits as if no services had
been rendered by them. The State has been benefitted by the services
rendered by them in the heydays of their life on less salary in work-
charged establishment.
31. In view of the note appended to Rule 3(8) of the 1961 Rules, there
is a provision to count service spent on work charged, contingencies or
non pensionable service, in case, a person has rendered such service
in a given between period of two temporary appointments in the
pensionable establishment or has rendered such service in the
interregnum two periods of temporary and permanent employment.
The work-charged service can be counted as qualifying service for
pension in the aforesaid exigencies.
32. The question arises whether the imposition of rider that such
43
service to be counted has to be rendered in-between two spells of
temporary or temporary and permanent service is legal and proper. We
find that once regularization had been made on vacant posts, though
the employee had not served prior to that on temporary basis,
considering the nature of appointment, though it was not a regular
appointment it was made on monthly salary and thereafter in the pay
scale of work-charged establishment the efficiency bar was permitted
to be crossed. It would be highly discriminatory and irrational because
of the rider contained in Note to Rule 3(8) of 1961 Rules, not to count
such service particularly, when it can be counted, in case such service
is sandwiched between two temporary or in-between temporary and
permanent services. There is no rhyme or reason not to count the
service of work-charged period in case it has been rendered before
regularisation. In our opinion, an impermissible classification has been
made under Rule 3(8). It would be highly unjust, impermissible and
irrational to deprive such employees benefit of the qualifying service.
Service of work-charged period remains the same for all the employees,
once it is to be counted for one class, it has to be counted for all to
prevent discrimination. The classification cannot be done on the
irrational basis and when respondents are themselves counting period
spent in such service, it would be highly discriminatory not to count
the service on the basis of flimsy classification. The rider put on that
44
work-charged service should have preceded by temporary capacity is
discriminatory and irrational and creates an impermissible
classification.
33. As it would be unjust, illegal and impermissible to make
aforesaid classification to make the Rule 3(8) valid and non
discriminatory, we have to read down the provisions of Rule 3(8) and
hold that services rendered even prior to regularisation in the capacity
of work-charged employees, contingency paid fund employees or non-
pensionable establishment shall also be counted towards the
qualifying service even if such service is not preceded by temporary or
regular appointment in a pensionable establishment.
34. In view of the note appended to Rule 3(8), which we have read
down, the provision contained in Regulation 370 of the Civil Services
Regulations has to be struck down as also the instructions contained
in Para 669 of the Financial Handbook.
35. There are some of the employees who have not been regularized
in spite of having rendered the services for 30-40 or more years
whereas they have been superannuated. As they have worked in the
work-charged establishment, not against any particular project, their
services ought to have been regularized under the Government
instructions and even as per the decision of this Court in Secretary,
45
State of Karnataka & Ors. v. Uma Devi 2006 (4) SCC 1. This Court in
the said decision has laid down that in case services have been
rendered for more than ten years without the cover of the Court's
order, as one time measure, the services be regularized of such
employees. In the facts of the case, those employees who have worked
for ten years or more should have been regularized. It would not be
proper to regulate them for consideration of regularisation as others
have been regularised, we direct that their services be treated as a
regular one. However, it is made clear that they shall not be entitled to
claiming any dues of difference in wages had they been continued in
service regularly before attaining the age of superannuation. They
shall be entitled to receive the pension as if they have retired from the
regular establishment and the services rendered by them right from
the day they entered the work-charged establishment shall be counted
as qualifying service for purpose of pension.
36. In view of reading down Rule 3(8) of the U.P. Retirement Benefits
Rules, 1961, we hold that services rendered in the work-charged
establishment shall be treated as qualifying service under the aforesaid
rule for grant of pension. The arrears of pension shall be confined to
three years only before the date of the order. Let the admissible
benefits be paid accordingly within three months. Resultantly, the
appeals filed by the employees are allowed and filed by the State are
46
dismissed.
37. All pending interlocutory applications and miscellaneous
applications, if any, are disposed of.
.................................J.
[ ARUN MISHRA ]
.................................J.
[ S. ABDUL NAZEER ]
.................................J.
[ M.R. SHAH ]
NEW DELHI;
SEPTEMBER 02, 2019.