RANDHIR SINGH versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

RANDHIR SINGH versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

The principle of 'equal pay for equal work' is deducible from Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution and is applicable where persons holding identical posts with identical duties and responsibilities are treated differently in pay without rational classification. The Court held that discrimination based solely on departmental affiliation is irrational when job functions are the same. Driver-constables in the Delhi Police Force perform the same or even more arduous functions than other drivers in the government and are entitled to pay parity.

Parties
Petitioner: Randhir Singh; Respondent: Union of India & Ors.; Respondent: R.N. Poddar; Respondent: Miss A. Subhashini
Jurisdiction
India
Judgment Date
22 February 1982
Procedural Posture
Writ Petition / Original Jurisdiction, Final Decision
Outcome
Petition allowed
Legal Topics
Equal Pay for Equal Work, Directive Principles of State Policy, Article 14, Article 16
Constitutional Law Labour Law Equal Pay for Equal Work Directive Principles of State Policy Article 14 Article 16

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Parties

Randhir Singh

Petitioner

Union of India & Ors.

Respondent

R.N. Poddar

Respondent

Miss A. Subhashini

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Writ Petition / Original Jurisdiction, Final Decision

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether driver-constables in the Delhi Police Force are entitled to equal pay as other drivers employed by the Delhi Administration and Central Government
  2. 2 Whether the principle of 'equal pay for equal work' applies across departments for posts with identical functions

Ratio Decidendi

The principle of 'equal pay for equal work' is deducible from Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution and is applicable where persons holding identical posts with identical duties and responsibilities are treated differently in pay without rational classification. The Court held that discrimination based solely on departmental affiliation is irrational when job functions are the same. Driver-constables in the Delhi Police Force perform the same or even more arduous functions than other drivers in the government and are entitled to pay parity.

Court Disposition

Petition allowed

Orders

  • Respondents are directed to fix the scale of pay of driver-constables of the Delhi Police Force at least on par with drivers of the Railway Protection Force.
  • The revised pay scale shall be effective from January 1, 1973, the date the Third Pay Commission recommendations were implemented.