Case Note & Summary
The petitioners, nine teachers who were recipients of District, State, or National Level Teacher Awards (Adarsh Shikshak Puraskar), filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court, Aurangabad Bench, seeking a direction to the respondents (State of Maharashtra and Zilla Parishad, Osmanabad) to grant them one additional increment as per the Government Resolution (G.R.) dated 12/12/2000. The court noted that this was yet another case in a series where awardee teachers were forced to rush to court for this benefit, despite the law being crystallized in numerous earlier judgments. The petitioners were represented by Advocate Ganesh J. Kore, while respondent No.6 (CEO, Zilla Parishad) was represented by Advocate A.S. Reddy and the State by AGP P.S. Patil. The court observed that various Zilla Parishads appear to derive vicarious pleasure in denying such benefits, causing mental agony and unnecessary legal expenses to the teachers. The court allowed the petition, directing the respondents to grant the additional increment to the petitioners within six weeks from the date of the order. The court also imposed costs of Rs.5,000 on respondent No.6 (Zilla Parishad) to be paid to each petitioner within the same period, failing which the amount would carry interest at 6% per annum until payment.
Headnote
A) Service Law - Additional Increment - Awardee Teachers - Government Resolution dated 12/12/2000 - The petitioners, being District/State/National Awardee Teachers, sought one additional increment as per G.R. dated 12/12/2000. The court held that the law is crystallized and the Zilla Parishad cannot deny the benefit, forcing teachers to approach the court. The petition was allowed with direction to grant the benefit within six weeks. (Paras 1-5)
Issue of Consideration
Whether the petitioners, being District/State/National Awardee Teachers, are entitled to one additional increment as per the Government Resolution dated 12/12/2000 issued by the State of Maharashtra.
Final Decision
The petition is allowed. The respondents are directed to grant one additional increment to the petitioners within six weeks from today. Respondent No.6 shall pay costs of Rs.5,000 to each petitioner within six weeks, failing which the amount shall carry interest at 6% per annum until payment.
Law Points
- Awardee teachers are entitled to one additional increment under G.R. dated 12/12/2000
- Law crystallized by this Court in numerous cases
- Denial by Zilla Parishad is unjustified and forces teachers to litigate
