E S P RAJARAM & NORS vs UOI

The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the memorandum dated 15-5-1987 issued by the Railway Board regarding the pay scale for Traffic Apprentices, affirming that it was within the Board's authority under Rule I-A of the Indian Railway Establishment Code, made pursuant to the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution. The Court found that the differentiation in pay scales based on the recruitment date was not arbitrary or discriminatory, and thus dismissed the appeals of pre-1987 Traffic Apprentices seeking the higher pay scale of Rs.1600-2660. The judgment set aside conflicting tribunal decisions and affirmed the memorandum's validity.