The judgment pertains to a legal dispute involving the Rajasthan Agricultural University and several respondents, primarily focusing on the implementation of the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) for Research Assistants who were re-designated as Lecturers and later as Assistant Professors. The court examined whether these individuals were entitled to CAS benefits, considering the distinct nature of the cadres of Research Assistants and Lecturers, despite them drawing the same pay scale. The court concluded that the respondents were not entitled to the CAS benefits as per the guidelines. However, it ruled against recovering the amounts already disbursed to them, directing that future pay and benefits be calculated without considering the CAS benefits unless they qualify under another scheme.

Judgment and Order

• Judgment and Order dated 20.01.2011
  • The document begins with the Judgment and Order dated 20.01.2011, passed by the High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan at Jodhpur, which dismissed the writ appeals filed by the appellant.

Brief Factual Overview

• Appointments and Designations
  • Respondents were appointed as Research Assistants in the University of Udaipur, later re-designated as Lecturers and subsequently as Assistant Professors at Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner. They began drawing the same pay-scale as other Lecturers/Assistant Professors.
• Career Advancement Scheme (CAS)
  • The Government of India, through the Ministry of Human Resource Development, decided to implement the CAS to revise the pay-scales of teachers, effective from January 1, 1986. This scheme was intended for Lecturers who completed eight years of service after regular appointment.
  • The Government of Rajasthan implemented the CAS, and the University's Board resolved to grant the revised UGC pay-scales to Lecturers and Research Assistants, designating them as Assistant Professors from January 1, 1973.

Analysis, Reasoning, and Conclusion

• Separate Cadres
  • The court reaffirmed that Research Assistants and Lecturers constitute separate and distinct cadres, despite enjoying the same pay scale as recommended by the UGC. This distinction was crucial in determining the eligibility for CAS benefits.
• Resolutions and Notifications
  • The court reviewed various resolutions and notifications by the University's Board regarding the designation of Research Assistants as Lecturers and subsequently as Assistant Professors. It also examined the rules implemented for CAS and the corresponding communications with the State Government.
• Court's Conclusion
  • The court concluded that the petitioners (respondents) were not entitled to the CAS benefits as per the Government of India's guidelines. The judgment noted that merely re-designating Research Assistants as Lecturers and Assistant Professors did not entitle them to these benefits.
  • It was decided that while recovering the already disbursed amounts would be inequitable, the future pay and benefits of the respondents should be calculated without considering the CAS benefits unless they qualify under another applicable scheme.