New Delhi: The Supreme Court has upheld the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s ruling, which granted assistant professors their rightful pay scales under the Punjab Medical Education (Group-A) Service Rules of 2016.
Previously, both the Single and Division Benches of the Punjab and Haryana High Court had ruled in favor of the assistant professors. However, the Punjab State Government challenged the decision in the Supreme Court.
A Supreme Court Division Bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and K Vinod Chandran reviewed the matter and noted that the State was contesting the High Court’s Division Bench order dated 10.12.2024. The High Court had only reaffirmed the Single Judge’s ruling, which granted the higher pay scale to the assistant professors in accordance with the rules.
While dismissing the plea, the Supreme Court held, “We see absolutely no occasion to interfere with the well-considered order of the Division Bench of the High Court, in the exercise of our jurisdiction under Article 136 of the Constitution of India.”
Background of the Case
The dispute arose when doctors appointed under the 2016 rules were denied the prescribed pay scale of ₹37,400–67,000 with a grade pay of ₹8,600. Instead, the State government issued executive instructions to apply lower central pay scales, prompting the doctors to challenge the decision before the High Court.
The Single Judge Bench of the High Court had previously ruled the State’s action as arbitrary and directed compliance with the 2016 rules. The Division Bench later upheld this decision and dismissed the State’s appeal, citing a lack of merit.
Key Observations by the Court
- The High Court ruled that the assistant professors were entitled to the pay scale specified in the 2016 Rules.
- The State’s argument that the advertisement and appointment letters offering lower pay scales were binding was rejected.
- The Court emphasized that executive instructions cannot override statutory rules.
The Division Bench further noted, “Merely because the State prescribed a lower pay scale in the advertisement/appointment letters does not prevent the respondents from seeking the enforcement of their lawful rights. Executive instructions cannot override statutory rules.”
Additionally, the Court clarified that if the State intended to provide a different or lower pay scale, it should have amended the rules accordingly. Since no such amendment had been made, the executive instructions lacked legal standing.
Thus, the Supreme Court’s ruling ensures that assistant professors in Punjab receive their due salaries as per the 2016 Rules, upholding the High Court’s earlier decision.
