In Brief
Internal Auditors employed by Punjab State Electricity Board claimed parity of pay scale with Head Clerks, both being classified in Group XII. The Board revised pay scales in 1990, fixing Head Clerks at Rs.2000-3500 and Internal Auditors at Rs.1800-3200. The Supreme Court held that mere group classification does not entitle parity; rather, parity claims require wholesome identity in recruitment mode, qualifications, duties, and responsibilities. Internal Auditors' conscious choice to pursue that promotional channel, combined with superior promotional avenues available to them, negated any discrimination claim. The Court emphasized that pay scale decisions rest with executive experts and courts should not judicially review them unless arbitrary or discriminatory.
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