1 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters CGHC010169762026 2026:CGHC:38480 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR (Order Reserved on 21-08-2026) (Final Order Delivered on 31-08-2026) (Final Order Uploaded on 31-08-2026) WPS No. 3775 of 2026 1 - Harbansh Lal Kurrey S/o Shri Balak Ram Kurrey Aged About 50 Years Presently Working As Pharmacist Government Ayurved Dispensary Budgahan District- Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) 2 - Biharilal Bhoy S/o Shri Sukram Bhoy Aged About 56 Years Presently Working As Pharmacist Government Ayurved Dispensary Sirpur District- Mahasamund (C.G.) 3 - Arun Kumar Diwan S/o Late Shri Dular Singh Diwan Aged About 59 Years Presently Working As Pharmacist Government Ayurved Dispensary Patewa District- Mahasamund (C.G.) 4 - Ayodhya Prasad Paikara S/o Shri Mansingh Aged About 55 Years Presently Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Government Ayurved Dispensary Madanpur District- Korba (C.G.) 5 - Beeru Lahre S/o Shri Vishal Lahre Aged About 59 Years Presently Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Government Ayurved Dispensary Jogisar District- Gaurela Pendra- Marwahi (C.G.) 6 - Bhagwat Prasad Maravi S/o Late Shri Dukalu Ram Maravi Aged About 56 Years Presently Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Ayushman Arogya Mandir Saida District- Bilaspur (C.G.) ASHUTOSH MISHRA Digitally signed by ASHUTOSH MISHRA Date: 2026.08.31 17:31:06 +0530 2 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 7 - Vishnu Prasad Induwa S/o Shri Dharam Lal Induwa Aged About 53 Years Presently Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Government Ayurved Dispensary Dahibahra District- Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi (C.G.) --- Petitioners versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary Health And Family Welfare Department Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar Naya Raipur (C.G.) 2 - Director Directorate of Ayurveda Yoga And Naturopathy Unani Siddha And Homeopathy (Ayush) Indravati Bhawan Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District- Raipur (C.G.) 3 - Divisional Joint Director Treasury Accounts And Pension Raipur District- Raipur (C.G.) 4 - District Ayush Officer District- Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) 5 - Ayurved Medical Officer Government Ayurved Dispensary Budgahan District- Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) 6 - Joint Secretary Finance Department Government Of Chhattisgarh Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District- Raipur (C.G.) 7 - Secretary Government Of Chhattisgarh Department Of Labour Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District- Raipur (C.G.) --- Respondents WPS No. 6034 of 2026 1 - Vinod Kumar Kurrey S/o Late Shri Santosh Singh Kurrey Aged About 50 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Telasi, District- Balodabazar-Bhatapara, (C.G.) 2 - Chander Singh Marabi S/o Late Shri Benchulal Marabi Aged About 49 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Specialized Therapy Centre, Masturi, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) 3 - Girdhan Lal Patle S/o Late Shri Mukturam Patle Aged About 60 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Dhurwakari, District- Bilaspur, (C.G.) 3 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 4 - Harish Kumar Chandrakar Shri Shiv Ram Chandrakar Aged About 49 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Dhahi, District- Dhamtari (C.G.) 5 - Maheshwar Kumar Patel S/o Ishwar Ram Patel Aged About 49 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Mandraud, District-Dhamtari (C.G.) 6 - Shant Ram Sahu S/o Shri Fhalgun Aged About 45 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Chhati, District- Dhamtari (C.G.) 7 - Tungesh Kumar Sahu Shri Mannu Lal Sahu Aged About 47 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Katalbod, District- Dhamtari (C.G.) 8 - Vinod Kumar Kanwar S/o Shri Ramnath Kanwar Aged About 38 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Mopka, District- Balodabazar-Bhatapara (C.G.) 9 - Vivek Chand Sahu S/o Shri Sukhram Sahu Aged About 43 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Parsapani, District- Dhamtari (C.G.) 10 - Sabiha Alvi Singh W/o Wido Milendra Singh Aged About 45 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Dallirajhara, District- Balod (C.G.) ---Petitioners Versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Health And Family Welfare Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, (C.G.) 2 - Director Directorate Of Ayurveda, Yoga And Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha And Homeopathy (Ayush), Indrawati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, District-Raipur (C.G.) 3 - Divisional Joint Director Treasury, Accounts And Pension, Raipur, District- Raipur (C.G.) 4 - Joint Secretary Finance Department, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, District-Raipur (C.G.) 5 - Secretary Government Of Chhattisgarh, Department Of Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, District-Raipur (C.G.) 4 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 6 - District Ayush Officer District- Balodabazar-Bhatapara, (C.G.) 7 - District Ayush Officer District-Bilaspur (C.G.) 8 - District Ayush Officer District- Dhamtari (C.G.) 9 - District Ayush Officer District- Balod (C.G.) --- Respondents WPS No. 5985 of 2026 1 - Devendra Singh Kanwar S/o Shri Balmukund Aged About 54 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Hospital Tuman, District- Korba (C.G.) 2 - Govind Prasad Paikra S/o Shri Vishnu Singh Paikra Aged About 56 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Hathband District- Balodabazar- Bhatapara (C.G.) 3 - Totram Lahre S/o Late Shri Atmaram Aged About 60 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Ayushman Arogya Mnadir Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Manikchauri, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) 4 - Balram Singh Porte S/o Domar Singh Porte Aged About 51 Years Working As Pharmacist Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Khatola, District- Janjgir- Champa (C.G.) 5 - Shyamlal Kanwar S/o Shri Shobhi Singh Aged About 53 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Pathiyapali District- Korba (C.G.) 6 - Tijram Shyam S/o Nankuniya Shyam Aged About 54 Years Working As Pharmacist Govt. Ayurved Dispensary Meu, District- Janjgir- Champa (C.G.) ---Petitioners Versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Health And Family Welfare Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur (C.G.) 5 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 2 - Director, Directorate Of Ayurved Yoga And Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha And Homeopathy (A Y U S H), Indrawati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District- Raipur (C.G.) 3 - Divisional Joint Director, Treasury Accounts And Pension, Raipur District- Raipur (C.G.) 4 - Joint Secretary Finance Department, Government Of Chhattisgarh Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar Naya Raipur District- Raipur (C.G.) 5 - Secretary, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Department Of Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar Naya Raipur District- Raipur (C.G.) 6 - District A Y U S H Officer , District- Korba (C.G.) 7 - District A Y U S H Officer, District Balodabazar- Bhatapara (C.G.) 8 - District A Y U S H Officer, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) 9 - District A Y U S H Officer, District- Janjgir- Champa (C.G.) --- Respondents WPS No. 4857 of 2026 1 - Tribhuwan Kumar Sahu Son Of Shri Ganesh Ram Sahu Aged About 35 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Lakhali, District- Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) 2 - Tukeshwar Prasad Kashyap Son Of Lakhanlal Kashyap, Aged About 43 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Gourela, District- Gourela- Pendra- Marwahi (C.G.) 3 - Vinay Kumar Nirmalkar Son Of Shatrughan Lal Nirmalkar Aged About 48 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Ayush Specialty Clinic Bhilai-3, District- Durg (C.G.) 4 - Prtima Kurre Daughter Of Shri Balak Ram Kurre Aged About 52 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved),primary Health Center, Nipania, District- Balodabazar-Bhatapara (C.G.) ---Petitioners Versus 6 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 1 – State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Health And Family Welfare Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur (C.G.) 2 - Director, Directorate Of Ayurveda, Yoga And Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha And Homeopathy (A Y U S H), Indravati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District - Raipur (C.G.) 3 - Divisional Joint Director, Treasury, Accounts And Pension, Raipur District - Raipur (C.G.) 4 - Joint Secretary, Finance Department, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District - Raipur (C.G.) 5 - Secretary, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Department Of Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District - Raipur (C.G.) 6 - District A Y U S H Officer, District- Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) 7 - District A Y U S H Officer, District- Gourela- Pendra- Marwahi (C.G.) 8 - District A Y U S H Officer, District- Durg (C.G.) 9 - District A Y U S H Officer, District- Balodabazar-Bhatapara (C.G.) --- Respondents WPS No. 4853 of 2026 1 - Ashok Kumar Baghel S/o Late Shri Dauram Baghel Aged About 57 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Specialized Clinic, Community Health Centre, Bilha, District Bilaspur Chhattisgarh 2 - Kishun Lal Dhruw S/o Late Shri Khelawan Dhruw Aged About 53 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Ganiyari, District Bilaspur Chhattisgarh 3 - Ragini Sharma W/o Shri Manoj Sharma Aged About 56 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved College/ Hospital, District Bilaspur Chhattisgarh 4 - Rajkumar Kaushik S/o Late Shri Ramanand Kaushik Aged About 56 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Bodsara, District Bilaspur Chhattisgarh 7 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters ---Petitioners Versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Health And Family Welfare Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur Chhattisgarh 2 - Director Directorate Of Ayurveda, Yoga And Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha And Homeopathy ( A Y U S H), Indravati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur Chhattisgarh 3 - Divisional Joint Director Treasury, Accounts And Pension, Raipur, District Raipur Chhattisgarh 4 - Joint Secretary Finance Department, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur Chhattisgarh 5 - Secretary Government Of Chhattisgarh, Department Of Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur Chhattisgarh 6 - District A Y U S H Officer District Bilaspur Chhattisgarh --- Respondents WPS No. 4394 of 2026 1 - Jagendra Singh S/o Jagdish Singh Aged About 58 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved)govt. Ayurved College Hospital, District -Bilaspur (C.G.) 2 - Ishwar Din Markam Son Shri Milau Ram Markam, Aged About 49 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt Ayurved Dispensary, Korja, District - Gourrela-Pendra- Marwahi (C.G.) 3 - Hiralal Dhruw Son Of Late Ghasiyaram Dhruw Aged About 58 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt Ayurved Dispensary, Devri Komakhan, District -Mahasamund (C.G.) 4 - Jiwan Singh Paikara Son Of Shri Anandram, Aged About 50 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt Ayurved Dispensary, Umreli District -Korba (C.G) 5 - Jog Singh Son Of Shri Guruwar Singh, Aged About 58 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt Ayurved Dispensary, Kanki, District -Korba (C.G.) ---Petitioners 8 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters Versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Health And Family Welfare Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur (C.G.) 2 - Director, Directorate Of Ayurveda, Yoga Naturopathy Unani, Siddha And Homeopathy (Ayush), Indraqwati Bhawan, Atal Nagar Naya Raipur District Raipur (C.G.) 3 - Divisional Joint Director,treasury, Accounts And Pension,raipur, District - Raipur (C.G.) 4 - Joint Secretary, Finance Department, Givernment Of Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District -Raipur (C.G.) 5 - Secretary, Government Of Chhattisgarh,department Of Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District -Raipur (C.G. 6 - District Ayush Officr, District -Bilaspur (C.G.) 7 - District Ayush Officer, District -Gourrela -Pendra -Marwahi (C.G.) 8 - District Ayush Officer, District -Mahasamund (C.G.) 9 - District Ayush Officer, District -Korba C.G. --- Respondents WPS No. 4522 of 2026 1 - Samaru Ram Shyam Son of Late Shri Charan Singh, Aged About 58 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Katghari, District- Janjgir- Champa (C.G.) 2 - Sewak Ram Diwan, Son Of Late Shri Fhul Singh Diwan, Aged About 60 Years Working As Pharmacist Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Khatti, District- Mahasamund (C.G.) 3 - Shankar Lal Lahare Son Of Late Nanki Dau Lahare, Aged About 61 Years Working As Pharmacist Ayurving Wing District Hospital, Janjgir District- Janjgir- Champa (C.G.) 4 - Shashi Kumar Paraste Son Of Shri Dileshwar Singh Paraste, Aged About 51 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Lalpur, District- Gourela- Pendra- Marwahi (C.G.) 9 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 5 - Shiv Kumar Keshkar, Son Of Late Mangal Ram Keshkar, Aged About 58 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Gataura, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) 6 - Shyam Kumar Maravi Son Of Shri Late Milauram Maravi, Aged About 52 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Sakarra, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) 7 - Dhaniya Manhar, S/o- Samaru Manhar Aged About 64 Years Retired Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, District- Korba, Resident Of Mandi Para 209, Bhaisma, District- Korba (C.G.) ---Petitioners Versus 1 – State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Health And Family Welfare Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur (C.G.) 2 - Director, Directorate Of Ayurveda, Yoga And Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha And Homeopathy (A Y U S H), Indravati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, District- Raipur (C.G.) 3 - Divisional Joint Director, Treasury, Accounts And Pension, Raipur, District- Raipur (C.G.) 4 - Joint Secretary, Finance Department, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, District- Raipur (C.G.) 5 - Secretary, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Department Of Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, District- Raipur (C.G.) 6 - District A Y U S H Officer, District- Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) 7 - District A Y U S H Officer, District- Mahasamund (C.G.) 8 - District A Y U S H Officer, District- Bilaspur (C.G.) 9 - District A Y U S H Officer, District- Korba (C.G.) --- Respondents WPS No. 4427 of 2026 1 - Jawahar Lal Sahu S/o Bisahu Ram Sahu Aged About 45 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary Bori Dhamda, District Durg Chhattisgarh 10 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 2 - Jaleshwar Prasad Lasker S/o Shri Hariram Lasker Aged About 49 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary Kikirda, District Sakti Chhattisgarh 3 - Kamal Narayan Kurrey S/o Late Sudeshi Ram Kurrey Aged About 49 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary Rahod, District Janjgir-Champa Chhattisgarh 4 - Kamleshwar Prasad Sahu S/o Shri Motilal Sahu Aged About 54 Years Working As Pharmacist, Govt. Ayurved Dispensary Ansula, District Mahasamund Chhattisgarh 5 - Khilesh Deshmukh S/o Bhagwan Singh Deshmukh Aged About 40 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary Hirri, District Durg Chhattisgarh ---Petitioners Versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Health And Family Welfare Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur Chhattisgarh 2 - Director Directorate Of Ayurveda, Yoga And Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha And Homeopathy (A Y U S H), Indravati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur Chhattisgarh 3 - Divisional Joint Director Treasury, Accounts And Pension, Raipur, District Raipur Chhattisgarh 4 - Joint Secretary Finance Department, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur Chhattisgarh 5 - Secretary Government Of Chhattisgarh, Department Of Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur Chhattisgarh 6 - District A Y U S H Officer District Mahasamund Chhattisgarh 7 - District A Y U S H Officer District Durg Chhattisgarh 8 - District A Y U S H Officer District Janjgir-Champa Chhattisgarh 9 - District A Y U S H Officer District Sakti Chhattisgarh --- Respondents 11 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters WPS No. 4365 of 2026 1 - Chandel Singh Gond S/o Late Shiri Tilak Ram Gond Aged About 58 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary Janjgir, District- Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) 2 - Chaukidar Kurrey S/o Late Shri Kala Ram Kurrey Aged About 56 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Mahuda, District- Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) 3 - Chhatram Kanwar S/o Shri Kartik Ram Aged About 54 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Primary Health Centre (Ayush) Kharwani District- Korba (C.G.) 4 - Dharam Singh Kurrey S/o Shri Fhal Singh Kurrey Aged About 56 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Kera District- Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) 5 - Dharam Singh Thakur S/o Narbade Singh Thakur Aged About 58 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Badesajapali District- Mahasamund (C.G.) ---Petitioners Versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Health And Family Welfare Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur (C.G.) 2 - Director Directorate Of Ayurveda, Yoga And Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha And Homeopathy (Ayush), Indravati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur (C.G.) 3 - Divisional Joint Director Treasury, Accounts And Pension, Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.) 12 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 4 - Joint Secretary Finance Department, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur (C.G.) 5 - Secretary Government Of Chhattisgarh, Department Of Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur (C.G.) 6 - District Ayush Officer District Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) 7 - District Ayush Officer District Mahasamund (C.G.) 8 - District Ayush Officer District Korba (C.G.) --- Respondents WPS No. 4521 of 2026 1 - Dinesh Bawanekar S/o Late Shri Manohar Bawanekar Aged About 50 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) As Homeopathy Dispensary, Durg District- Durg (C.G.) 2 - Dwarika Ram Satnami S/o Shri Latel Ram Satnami Aged About 61 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Govt Ayurved Dispensary Khadma, District- Gariyaband (C.G.) 3 - Ganesh Ram Lahare S/o Late Shri Paharuram Lahare Aged About 61 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Govt. Ayurved Dispensary Katghari District- Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) 4 - Ganesh Singh Jagat S/o Ganda Ray Jagat Aged About 55 Years Working As Pharmacist Govt. Ayurved Dispensary Bhawarpur, District- Mahasamund (C.G.) 5 - Hira Ram Diwan S/o Late Shri Mohnu Ram Diwan Aged About 56 Years Working As Pharmacist Govt. Ayurved Dispendary, Parsada Naveen District- Mahasamund (C.G.) ---Petitioners 13 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters Versus 1 – State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary Health And Family Welfare Department Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur (C.G.) 2 - Director Directorate of Ayurveda Yoga And Naturopathy Unani Siddha And Homeopathy (Ayush) Indravati Bhawan Atal Nagar , Naya Raipur, District- Raipur (C.G.) 3 - Divisional Joint Director Treasury Accounts And Pension Raipur District- Raipur (C.G.) 4 - Joint Secretary Finance Department Government Of Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District- Raipur (C.G.) 5 - Secretary Government Of Chhattisgarh Department Of Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District- Raipur (C.G.) 6 - District Ayush Officer District- Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) 7 - District Ayush Officer District- Mahasamund (C.G.) 8 - District Ayush Officer District Durg C.G. 9 - District Ayush Officer District- Gariyaband C.G. --- Respondents WPS No. 4431 of 2026 1 - Mani Ram Sinha Son of Mangal Ram Sinha Aged About 48 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Sirsakhurd, District - Durg (CG) 2 - Mathura Prasad Armo Son of Shri Dukalu Singh Armo, Aged About 56 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Nimdha, District -Gourela -Pendra -Marwahi (CG) 3 - Naresh Kumar Dewangan Son Of Shri Manuram Dewangan Aged About 61 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Tamora, District -Mahasamund (CG) 14 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 4 - Pooran Singh Ayam Son Of Shri Gopal Singh Ayam, Aged About 39 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Bastibagra, District -Gourela-Pendra-Marwahi (CG) 5 - Rishi Dhangar Son of Late Ganesh Dhangar Aged About 45 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Jila Hospital Ayush Wing Durg, District -Durg (C,g,) ---Petitioners Versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through Thr Secretary, Health And Family Welfare Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur (C.G.) 2 - Director, Directorate of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha And Homeopathy (Ayush) Indrawati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur (C.G.) 3 - Divisional Joint Director, Teeasury, Accounts And Pension,raipur, District - Raipur (C.G.) 4 - Joint Secretary,finance Department, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur (C.G.) 5 - Secretary, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Department Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur (C.G.) 6 - District Ayush Officer, District -Gourela-Pendra-Marwahi (C.G.) 7 - District Ayush Officer, District -Durg (C.G.) 8 - District Ayush Officer, District -Mahasamund (C.G.) --- Respondents WPS No. 4480 of 2026 1 - Lalit Kumar Kanwar S/o Shri Gyat Ram Kanwar Aged About 50 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Belar, District- Gariyaband (C.G.) 15 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 2 - Laxman Prasad Digraskar S/o Late Sonadas Digraskar Aged About 58 Years Working As Pharmacist, Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Changori, District- Janjgir- Champa (C.G.) 3 - Mohan Lal Thakur S/o Late Shri Sonu Ram Thakur Aged About 60 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Aturkara, District- Gariyaband (C.G.) 4 - Rupsingh Netam S/o Shri Jhanglu Ram Netam Aged About 57 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Akalwara, District- Gariyaband (C.G.) 5 - Shyama Charan Diwan S/o Shri Dharam Singh Aged About 57 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Ranipartewa, District- Gariyaband (C.G.) 6 - Avinash Chandra Singh Marko S/o Late Shri Kalyan Singh Marko Aged About 55 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Semardarri, District- Gourela-Pendra-Marwahi (C.G.) ---Petitioners Versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur (C.G.) 2 - Director Directorate Of Ayurveda, Yoga And Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha And Homeopathy (Ayush), Indravati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.) 16 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 3 - Divisional Joint Director Treasury, Accounts And Pension, Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.) 4 - Joint Secretary Finance Department, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur (C.G.) 5 - Secretary Government Of Chhattisgarh, Department Of Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.) 6 - District Ayush Officer District- Gariyaband (C.G.) 7 - District Ayush Officer District- Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) 8 - District Ayush Officer District- Gourela-Pendra-Marwahi (C.G.) --- Respondents WPS No. 4490 of 2026 1 - Ritu Ketu Sahu S/o Hemkaran Sahu Aged About 50 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Marra Patan, District- Durg (C.G.) 2 - Sakharam Nirala S/o Shri Vishram Nirala Aged About 47 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Bhedwan, District- Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.) 3 - Saurabh Pandey S/o Bhagwati Prasad Pandey Aged About 48 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Chicha, District- Durg (C.G.) 17 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 4 - Shalik Ram Verma S/o Late Meena Ram Verma Aged About 46 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Pendravan, District- Durg (C.G.) 5 - Shyam Kumar Sharma S/o Shri Chandrika Prasad Sharma Aged About 45 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Specialty Clinic, Community Health Centre, Pendra, District- Gourela-Pendra-Marwahi (C.G.) ---Petitioners Versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Health And Family Welfare Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur (C.G.) 2 - Director Directorate Of Ayurveda, Yoga And Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha And Homeopathy (Ayush), Indravati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur (C.G.) 3 - Divisional Joint Director Treasury, Accounts And Pension, Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.) 4 - Joint Secretary Finance Department, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur (C.G.) 5 - Secretary Government Of Chhattisgarh, Department Of Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District Raipur (C.G.) 6 - District Ayush Officer District- Gourela-Pendra-Marwahi (C.G.) 7 - District Ayush Officer District- Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.) 8 - District Ayush Officer District- Durg (C.G.) --- Respondents WPS No. 4353 of 2026 1 - Lalit Kumar Patel S/o Shri Ram Singh Patel Aged About 45 Years Working As Speciality Clinic Community District Gourela Pendra Marwahi C.G. 2 - Lata Sahu D/o Puranik Lal Sahu Aged About 58 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Govt. Ayurved Dispensary Anda District Durg C.G. 18 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 3 - Ganeshwari Thakur D/o Dhal Singh Thakur Aged About 34 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Govt Ayurved Dispensary Kumhari District Durg C.G. 4 - Madhur Tiwari S/o Shri Mohni Shankar Aged About 57 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Govt Ayurved Dispensary Kotmikala District Gourela Pendra Marwahi C.G. 5 - Mahesh Banjare S/o Late Shri Kapoor Das Aged About 54 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Govt Ayurved Dispensary Dhanud District Durg C.G. ---Petitioners Versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through- The Secretary Health and Family Welfare Department Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar Naya Raipur District Raipur C.G. 2 - Director Directorate Of Ayurveda Yoga, And Nephropathy Unani Siddha, And Homeopathy (Ayush) Indravati Bhawan, Atal Nagar Naya Raipur District Raipur C.G. 3 - Divisional Joint Director Department Government Of Chhattisgarh Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar Naya Raipur District Raipur C.G. 4 - Joint Secretary Finance Department Government Of Chhattisgarh Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar Naya Raipur District Raipur C.G. 5 - Secretary, Government Of Chhattisgarh Department Of Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar Naya Raipur District Raipur C.G. 6 - District Ayush Officer, District Gourela Pendra Marwahi C.G. 7 - Distirct Ayush Officer Durg District Durg C.G. --- Respondents WPS No. 4411 of 2026 1 - Bhagat Ram Ghritalahare Son of Late Shri Mahettarlal Ghritalahare Aged About 52 Years Working As Pharmacist, Govt. Ayurved Dispensary,tumgaon, District -Mahasamund (C.G.) 19 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 2 - Chaturbhuj Diwan Son Of Shri Santuram Diwan Aged About 42 Years Working As Pharmacist,specialty Clinic, Bagbahra District -Mahasamund (C.G.) 3 - Deepak Son Of Agamdas, Aged About 35 Years Working As Pharmacist, Govt. Ayurved Dispensary,bakma District -Mahasamund (C.G.) 4 - Gajanan Sinha Son Of Late Tula Ram Sinha Aged About 45 Years Working As Pharmacist, Govt. Ayurved Dispensary,pahandor District -Durg (C.G.) 5 - Jalendra Kumar Uike Son Of Late Tularam Uike Aged About 51 Years Working As Pharmacist(Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary,bhilai -3, District -Durg (C.G.) ---Petitioners Versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Health And Family Welfare Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar,naya Raipur (C.G.) 2 - Director, Directorate Of Ayurveda, Yoga And Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha And Homeopathy (Ayush),, Indrawati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District -Raipur (C.G.) 3 - Divisional Joint Director,treasury, Accounts And Pension, Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.) 4 - Joint Secretary Finance Department Government Of Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District -Raipur (C.G.) 5 - Secretary, Government Chhattisgarh, Department Of Labour Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District -Raipur (C.G.) 6 - District Ayush Officer, District -Mahasamund (C.G.) 20 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 7 - District Ayush Officer, District -Durg (C.G.) --- Respondents WPS No. 4358 of 2026 1 - Smt. Hemlata Verma Daughter of Shri Vishnu Prasad Verma Aged About 53 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved)govt Ayurved Dispensary Borid District- Durg (C.G.) 2 - Smt. Kiran Deshlahre Wife Smt Nandkumar Deshlahre Aged About 50 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt .Ayurved Dispensary Dundera Utao, District -Durg (C.G.) 3 - Smt. Sarita Chaturvidahi Wife of Tamal Kumar Chaturvidahi Aged About 39 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Govt . Ayush Polly Clinic, Janjgir, District -Janjgir -Champa (C.G.) 4 - Tirath Ram Sahu Son Late Dhanush Ram Sahu Aged About 49 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Govt . Ayurved Dispensary Gondgiri Berla, District -Bemetara (C.G.) 5 - Tilak Ram Banchhor Son Of Late Shri Chowa Lal Banchhor Aged About 43 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Govt . Ayurved Dispensary, Dhamdha District -Durg (C.G.) ---Petitioners Versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Health And Family Welfare Department Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar Naya Raipur (C.G.) 21 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 2 - Director,directorate Of Ayurveda Yoga And Naturopathy Unani Siddha And Homeopathy (Ayush), Indrawati Bhawan Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District - Raipur (C.G.) 3 - Divisional Joint Director Treasury, Accounts And Pension Raipur District Raipur (C.G.) 4 - Joint Secretary,finance Department Government Chhattisgarh, Mahaqnadi Bhawan Atal Nagar Naya Raipur District -Raipur (C.G.) 5 - Secretaty Government Of Chhattisgarh, Department Of Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar Naya Raipur District -Raipur (C.G.) 6 - District Ayush Officer, District -Janjgir -Champa (C.G.) 7 - District Ayush Officer District -Bemetara C.G.) 8 - District Ayush Officer, District -Durg (C.G.) --- Respondents WPS No. 4327 of 2026 1 - Manmohan Prasad Jaiswal S/o Harishankar Jaiswal Aged About 46 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Govt. Ayurved Dispensary Tundra Kasdol - District Balodabazar Bhatapara Chhattisghr. 2 - Parmanand Sahu S/o Lalaram Sahu Aged About 56 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Govt. Ayurved Dispensary Arjuni (B), District Balodabazar Bhatapara C.G. 22 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 3 - Parmeshwari Jaiswal W/o Kamal Narayan Jaiswal Aged About 52 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Govt. Ayurved Dispensary Arjuni District Balodabazar Bhatapara C.G. 4 - Smt, Sarita Sahu W/o Dhaneshwar Prasad Sahu Aged About 36 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Govt. Ayurved Dispensary Arjuni District Balodabazar Bhatapara C.G. 5 - Smt, Lokeshwari Sahu W/o Kunj Bihari Sahu Aged About 46 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Govt. Ayurved Dispensary Aamdi District - Dhamtari C.G. 6 - Gajratan Lal Sahu S/o Sonal Sahu Aged About 48 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved) Specialized Therapy Center Community Health Center Magarlod District Dhamtari C.G. ---Petitioners Versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through- The Secretary, Health And Family Welfare Department Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar Naya Raipur C.G. 2 - Director Directorate Of Ayurved Yoga And Naturopathy Unani Siddha And Homeopathy (Ayush) Indravati Bhawan Atal Nagar Naya Raipur District Raipur C.G. 3 - Divisional Joint Director Treasury Accounts And Pension Raipur District Raipur C.G. 4 - Joint Secretary Finance Department Government Of Chhattisgarh Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar Naya Raipur Distirct Raipur C.G. 5 - Secretary Government Of Chhattisgarh Department Of Labour Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar Naya Raipur District Raipur C.G. 6 - District Ayush Officer, District Balodabazar Bhatapara C.G. 23 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 7 - District Ayush Officer, District Dhamtari C.G. --- Respondents WPS No. 4345 of 2026 1 - Mahasingh Paikara S/o Late Shri Babulal Paikara Aged About 56 Years Working As Pharmacist, Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Dharashiv, Distt. Janjgir Champa, Chhattisgarh. 2 - Manoj Kumar Gangatriwar S/o Late Shri Kriparam Gangatriwar Aged About 51 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Nagoi, Distt. Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. 3 - Preetam Singh Diwan S/o Devsharan Diwan Aged About 61 Years Working As Pharmacist, Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Paraswani, Distt. Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. 4 - Prem Singh Shyam S/o Late Arjun Singh Shyam Aged About 52 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Siltara, Distt. Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. 5 - Punnilal Binjhwar S/o Late Shri Johanlal Aged About 55 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Kathakoni, Distt. Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. 6 - Safed Singh Paikra S/o Babulal Paikra Aged About 58 Years Working As Pharmacist, Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Bichhiya, Distt. Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. ---Petitioners Versus 24 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Health And Family Welfare Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 2 - Director Directorate Of Ayurveda, Yoga And Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha And Homeopathy (Ayush), Indravati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, Distt. Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 3 - Divisional Joint Director Treasury, Accounts And Pension, Raipur, Distt. Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 4 - Joint Secretary Finance Department, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, Distt. Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 5 - Secretary Government Of Chhattisgarh, Department Of Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, Distt. Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 6 - District Ayush Officer District Janjgir Champa, Chhattisgarh. 7 - District Ayush Officer District Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. 8 - District Ayush Officer Distt. Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. --- Respondents WPS No. 4126 of 2026 1 - Keshwari Pradhan D/o Late Munnaram Pradhan Aged About 52 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Bhanbeda, Distt. North Bastar Kanker, Chhattisgarh. 25 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 2 - Smt. Gayatri Dikhit W/o Ranjan Singh Dikhit Aged About 50 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Ayush Wing, Kanker, Distt. North Bastar Kanker, Chhattisgarh. 3 - Suresh Kumar Netam S/o Kamal Singh Netam Aged About 48 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Panawar, Distt. North Bastar Kanker, Chhattisgarh. 4 - Ratna Shrivastava D/o Himmat Lal Shrivastava Aged About 57 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Special Therapy Center, Charama, Distt. North Bastar Kanker, Chhattisgarh. 5 - Geeta Devi Sahu W/o Khundan Lal Sahu Aged About 58 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Primary Health Center Cum Ayush Center, Lakhanpuri, Distt. North Bastar Kanker, Chhattisgarh. 6 - Manoj Kumar Yadav S/o A. R. Yadav Aged About 49 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Special Therapy Center, Bhanupratappur, Distt. North Bastar Kanker, Chhattisgarh. 7 - Nand Kumar Sonloi S/o Yawan Singh Sonloi Aged About 50 Years Working As Pharmacist (Ayurved), Govt. Ayurved Dispensary, Koba, Block Doundilohara, Distt. Balod, Chhattisgarh. ---Petitioner(s) Versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Health And Family Welfare Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 2 - Director Directorate of Ayurveda, Yoga And Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha And Homeopathy (Ayush), Indravati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, Distt. Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 26 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters 3 - Divisional Joint Director Treasury, Accounts And Pension, Raipur, Distt. Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 4 - Joint Secretary Finance Department, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, Distt. Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 5 - Secretary Government of Chhattisgarh, Department Of Labour, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, Distt. Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 6 - District Ayush Officer District North Bastar Kanker, Chhattisgarh. 7 - District Ayush Officer District Balod, Chhattisgarh. --- Respondents (Cause-title taken from Case Information System) For Petitioners : Mr. Goutam Khetrapal, Advocate along with Mr. Resham Lal Jaiswal, Advocate For Respondent/State : Mr. Suyashdhar Badgaiya, Government Advocate (Hon’ble Shri Justice Bibhu Datta Guru) CAV Order 1. Since common questions of facts and law are involved in all these writ petitions, they are clubbed together, heard together and are being disposed of by this common order. For the sake of brevity, the pleadings and the documents of WPS No.3775 of 2026 are being taken into consideration. In the said writ petition, the following reliefs were claimed : a) Direct the respondents to grant the benefit of revised pay scale of Rs.5200-20200 with Grade Pay Rs.2400 to the petitioners w.e.f.01.04.2006, instead of 01.01.2016, along with all consequential benefits. 27 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters b) Quash/set-aside the impugned orders dated 11.09.2025 (Annexure P/11) and 27.02.2026 (Annexure P/12), being arbitrary, illegal and unsustainable in law. c) Direct the respondents to pay arrears arising out of the grant of revised pay scale from 01.04.2006 along with interest, within a time-bound period as may be deemed fit by this Hon'ble Court. d) Declare that the petitioners are entitled to the benefit of "equal pay for equal work" at par with similarly situated employees working as Pharmacist Grade-II in other departments of the State. e) Direct the respondents to extend all consequential service benefits, including revision of pay fixation, increments, pensionary benefits and other retiral dues, on the basis of the revised pay scale. f) Pass such other order or direction as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice. 2. The present batch of writ petitions has been filed by the petitioners, who are working as Pharmacist (Ayurved)/Compounder under the Directorate of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), Government of Chhattisgarh. The grievance 28 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters of the petitioners is with regard to denial of the revised pay scale carrying Grade Pay of Rs.2400 from the date it became due, i.e. 01.04.2006. 3. The petitioners were initially appointed as Compounders and subsequently, vide Government order dated 21.05.2004, the State Government took a conscious decision to redesignate the eligible Compounders possessing the requisite qualification as Pharmacist Grade-II, thereby bringing them within the corresponding cadre and functional stream. It is the further case of the petitioners that the Chhattisgarh Revision of Pay Rules, 2009, which were made applicable with effect from 01.01.2006, read with the Government order dated 22.07.2011 issued pursuant to the recommendations of the Pay Anomaly Committee, provide for the revised pay scale of Rs.5200- 20200 with Grade Pay of Rs.2400 to the post of Pharmacist Grade-II. It is further contended that similarly situated employees working as Pharmacist Grade-II in various departments of the State Government have been extended the benefit of Grade Pay of Rs.2400 with effect from 01.04.2006. The petitioners, who are working in the AYUSH Department, however, were granted the said benefit only with effect from 01.01.2016 vide order dated 20.09.2016. The grievance of the petitioners is that despite the aforesaid statutory provisions and Government order, their claim for extending the benefit of Grade Pay of Rs.2400 from 01.04.2006 has been rejected by the respondents vide 29 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters orders dated 11.09.2025 and 27.02.2026. 4. (a) Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the denial of the benefit from 01.04.2006 is wholly arbitrary and discriminatory. It is submitted that once the petitioners had been redesignated as Pharmacist Grade-II and were forming part of the same functional stream, they could not have been denied the pay scale which was made applicable to similarly situated Pharmacist Grade-II employees merely on the ground that they were working under the AYUSH Department. Learned counsel for the petitioners has also placed reliance upon the Government order dated 22.07.2011 and the relevant schedule thereto, wherein the post of Pharmacist Grade-II has been shown against the revised pay structure carrying Grade Pay of Rs.2400. It is submitted that the benefit has already been extended to similarly situated employees in other departments of the State. (b) Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the inaction on the part of the respondent authorities is contrary to the minimum educational qualification fixed by the respondents in respect of appointment of the petitioners as there was no difference in the qualification for appointment on the post of Pharmacist Grade-II between the AYUSH Department and Health Services Department, hence the same benefit of pay is liable to be extended to the petitioners. The nature of work of the petitioners is at par with the nature of work of Health Services Department, therefore, also the petitioners are 30 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters entitled for the pay scale granted to Pharmacist Grade-II of the Health Services Department w.e.f. 01.04.2006. He would further submit that the action of the respondent authorities is discriminatory being violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India i.e. equal pay for equal work as the respondent authorities without any rational basis discriminated the similarly placed persons. Article 39(d) of the Constitution of India provides that the State shall in particular direct its policy towards securing that there is equal pay for equal work both men and women, but here in the present case, violating the aforesaid mandate, the respondent authorities have deprived the petitioners from the pay scale granted to the similarly situated persons w.e.f 01.04.2006. The action of the respondent authorities is discriminatory, irrational and unreasonable, hence the instant petitions deserve to be allowed with direction to the respondents to grant pay scale of Rs.5200-20200 + 2400 grade pay w.e.f. 01.04.2006 to the petitioners instead of 01.01.2016. (c) It is further submitted that the issue is no longer res integra in view of the order of this Court in WPS No.3453 of 2013, decided on 02.08.2024 & other connected matters, wherein this Court, after considering the claim of Pharmacist Grade-II working in Labour Department, directed the respondents to grant the pay scale equivalent to that granted to Pharmacist Grade-II of the Health Services Department from the date it fell due, applying the principle of "equal 31 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters pay for equal work". 5. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposes the prayer made by the petitioners and submits that the petitioners have already been extended the benefit of Grade Pay of Rs.2400 with effect from 01.01.2016. He would further submit that it is a well settled principle of law that fixation of pay scale and grant of pay is the nature of work of executive and the same cannot warrant judicial review. So far as grant of pay scale of Pharmacist Grade-II of Health Services Department w.e.f 01.04.2006 is concerned, fixation of pay scale depends upon the recruitment rules and other aspects also. It is for the executive to decide the pay scale of a particular post. The petitioners cannot claim the equal pay as the terms and conditions of the employees of both the departments are separate and independent. Hence the instant petition being without any substance is liable to be dismissed. 6. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the material available on record. 7. The Supreme Court in the matter of State of Punjab and others Vs. Jagjit Singh and others {(2017) 1 SCC 148} held thus at paras 42.2, 42.3 & 60: “42.2 The mere fact that the subject post occupied by the claimant, is in a “different department” vis- a-vis the reference post, does not have any bearing 32 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters on the determination of a claim, under the principle of ‘equal pay for equal work’. Persons discharging identical duties, cannot be treated differently, in the matter of their pay, merely because they belong to different departments of Government (see – the Randhir Singh case (1982) 1 SCC 618, and D.S. Nakara case, (1983) 1 SCC 305). 42.3 The principle of ‘equal pay for equal work’, applies to cases of unequal scales of pay, based on no classification or irrational classification (see – Randhir Singh case). For equal pay, the concerned employees with whom equation is sought, should be performing work, which besides being functionally equal, should be of the same quality and sensitivity (see – Federation of All India Customs and Central Excise Stenographers (1988) 3 SCC 91 case, Mewa Ram Kanojia case (1989) 2 SCC 235, Grih Kalyan Kendra Workers’ Union case (1991) 1 SCC 619 and S.C. Chandra case (2007) 8 SCC 279). 60. Having traversed the legal parameters with reference to the application of the principle of ‘equal pay for equal work’, in relation to temporary employees (daily-wage employees, ad-hoc appointees, employees appointed on casual basis, contractual employees and the like), the sole factor that requires our determination is, whether the concerned employees (before this Court), were rendering similar duties and responsibilities, as were being discharged by regular employees, holding the same/corresponding posts. This exercise would require the application of the 33 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters parameters of the principle of ‘equal pay for equal work’ summarized by us in paragraph 42 above. However, insofar as the instant aspect of the matter is concerned, it is not difficult for us to record the factual position. We say so, because it was fairly acknowledged by the learned counsel representing the State of Punjab, that all the temporary employees in the present bunch of appeals, were appointed against posts which were also available in the regular cadre/establishment. It was also accepted, that during the course of their employment, the temporary employees concerned were being randomly deputed to discharge duties and responsibilities, which at some point in time, were assigned to regular employees. Likewise, regular employees holding substantive posts, were also posted to discharge the same work, which was assigned to temporary employees, from time to time. There is, therefore, no room for any doubt, that the duties and responsibilities discharged by the temporary employees in the present set of appeals, were the same as were being discharged by regular employees. It is not the case of the appellants, that the respondent-employees did not possess the qualifications prescribed for appointment on regular basis. Furthermore, it is not the case of the State, that any of the temporary employees would not be entitled to pay parity, on any of the principles summarized by us in paragraph 42 hereinabove. There can be no doubt, that the principle of ‘equal pay for equal work’ 34 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters would be applicable to all the temporary employees concerned, so as to vest in them the right to claim wages, at par with the minimum of the pay-scale of regularly engaged government employees, holding the same post. 8. The undisputed position emerging from the record is that the petitioners were initially appointed as Compounders and, pursuant to the Government order dated 21.05.2004, were redesignated as Pharmacist Grade-II on fulfillment of the requisite qualifications in the AYUSH Department. The petitioners, therefore, cannot be treated as persons holding a post wholly different from Pharmacist Grade-II of the Health Department merely because they are serving under the AYUSH Department. 9. The Government order dated 22.07.2011 assumes significance in the present case. The schedule appended thereto indicates the revised pay structure applicable to the concerned posts of the department of Directorate of Health Services and the post of Pharmacist Grade-II is shown with the revised pay scale of Rs.5200-20200 carrying Grade Pay of Rs.2400 w.e.f. 01.04.2006. The petitioners' grievance is, therefore, not with regard to a fresh creation of a pay scale, but with regard to the date from which the benefit already extended to similarly situated employees became available to them. 10. The respondents have admittedly extended the Grade Pay of Rs.2400 to the petitioners from 01.01.2016 vide order dated 20.09.2016. Once the 35 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters respondents themselves accepted the entitlement of the petitioners to the Grade Pay of Rs.2400, the question which remains for consideration is whether the benefit could have been restricted to 01.01.2016 when the relevant pay revision and Government order contemplated its applicability from the earlier date i.e. 01.04.2006. 11. This Court, in WPS No.3453 of 2013, while considering the claim of Pharmacist Grade-II working under a different department i.e. Labour Department wherein even they have not been extended the benefit of grade pay of Rs.2400, has held that employees discharging identical duties cannot be treated differently in the matter of pay merely because they belong to different departments. The Court accordingly directed grant of the equivalent pay scale from the date it fell due at par with the Pharmacist Grade II of the Health Services Department as per the order dated 22.7.2011. In the said decision this Court held thus at para 11 : 11. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, the overall material placed on record and the legal principles laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the above matter with reference to application of principle of “equal pay for equal work”, the writ petition deserves to be allowed and is, accordingly, allowed. The respondent authorities are directed to grant pay scale to the petitioners equivalent to the pay scale granted to Pharmacist Grade-II of the Health Services Department as per Schedule A of the order dated 22.7.2011 (Annexure P/2), in both the petitions, from the date it fell due to them. The above exercise shall be completed within a period of 36 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters four months from the date of receipt/production of copy of this order. 12. The aforesaid principle squarely applies to the facts of the present case. The petitioners have been redesignated as Pharmacist Grade-II pursuant to the Government's own decision. Their entitlement to the revised pay scale carrying Grade Pay of Rs.2400 has also been recognized by the respondents from 01.01.2016. In these circumstances, withholding the same benefit for the period from 01.04.2006 to 31.12.2015, without any rational basis discernible from the material placed before this Court, results in an unequal treatment of persons belonging to the same functional cadre. 13. The mere fact that the petitioners are working under the AYUSH Department cannot, by itself, constitute a valid basis for denying them the benefit which has been granted to similarly situated Pharmacist Grade-II employees in other departments. The respondents are required to give effect to their own pay revision policy in a consistent and non- discriminatory manner. 14. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, the material placed on record, the Government order dated 22.07.2011; the legal principles laid down by the Supreme Court Jagjit Singh (supra); and the decision rendered by this Court in WPS No.3453 of 2013 decided on 02.08.2024 & other connected matters and also particularly considering the fact that in compliance of the aforesaid order passed by 37 WPS No.3775 of 2026 & other connected matters this Court, by order dated 10.06.2025 (Annexure P-9) the Respondent authorities have extended the benefit of pay-scale of Rs.5200- 20200+G.P. 2400 w.e.f. 01.04.2006 in respect of the Pharmacist Grade- II working in the department of Labour, this Court is of the considered view that the petitioners are also entitled to the Grade Pay of Rs.2400 in the pay scale of Rs.5200-20200 from 01.04.2006. 15. Consequently, all the writ petitions are allowed. The impugned orders dated 11.09.2025 and 27.02.2026, whereby the claim of the petitioners for grant of the aforesaid benefit from 01.04.2006 has been rejected, are hereby set aside. 16. The respondents are directed to extend the benefit of revised pay scale to the petitioners i.e. Rs.5200-20200 with Grade Pay of Rs.2400 with effect from 01.04.2006 instead of 01.01.2016, with all consequential benefits, including consequential pay fixation and revision of other service benefits, in accordance with law. 17. The aforesaid exercise shall be completed by the respondents within a period of four months from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order. 18. All the writ petitions in the batch stand allowed. SD/- (Bibhu Datta Guru) JUDGE ashu