STATE OF W BENGAL vs PANTHA CHATTERJEE & ORS. ETC. ETC.

The Supreme Court upheld the Calcutta High Court's decision that part-time Border Wing Home Guards (BWHG) are entitled to the same benefits as permanent BWHGs, establishing that a master-servant relationship exists between them and the State of West Bengal under Article 311 of the Constitution. The Court emphasized the principle of 'equal pay for equal work' as established in previous judgments, including AIR 1987 SC 2049 and AIR 1991 SC 101. The appeals by the State of West Bengal were dismissed, affirming the rights of the petitioners to fair remuneration and conditions of service.