STATE OF PUNJAB vs BALKARAN SINGH

The Supreme Court held that the appeals by the State of Punjab regarding the pay scale of Deputy Directors in the Agricultural Department were dismissed, affirming the lower courts' decisions that the plaintiffs were entitled to the pay scale of Rs. 1200-1850/- as per the recommendations of the Third Pay Commission effective from 1.1.1978. The Court found the Director of Agriculture's endorsement reducing the pay scale to Rs. 940-1850/- to be arbitrary and against principles of natural justice. The Court emphasized that the plaintiffs' claims were valid despite the delay in challenging the endorsement, as they were based on established rights under the revised pay structure.