APHC010188032018 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3333] MONDAY, THE 20th DAY OF JULY 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE V.SUJATHA WRIT PETITION NOS: 8158, 8460, 8833/2018 WRIT PETITION NO: 8158/2018 Between: 1. DR. K.HERNASUNDARARAJU, S/O K.CHENGALARAYULU 41 YEARS, CONTRACT LECTURER IN COMMERCE S.V ARTS COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 2. DR.K.PURUSHOTHAM NAIDU, S/O K.VENKATRAYULU, 38 YEARS, CONTRACT LECTURER IN CHEMISTRY S.V ARTS COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 3. DR.K.SANKARA REDDY, S/O K.NARAYANA REDDY 41 YEARS, CONTRACT LECTURER IN CHEMISTRY S.V ARTS COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 4. DR.K. JAMUNA, W/O V.NAGA PAVAN KUMAR 40 YEARS, CONTRACT LECTURER IN CHEMISTRY S.V ARTS COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 5. DR.D.RAJA, S/O D.VENKATA SUBBAIAH, 47 YEARS, CONTRACT LECTURER IN COMMERCE S.V ARTS COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 6. P.NAGARAJU, S/O P.TIRIPAIAH 43 YEARS, CONTRACT LECTURER IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, S.V ARTS COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 7. P.KISHORE KUMAR, S/O R.KRUPAIAH, 39 YEAR, CONTRACT LECTURER IN CHEMISTRY S.V ARTS COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, 2 VS,J W.P.Nos.8158 of 2018 & batch CHITTOOR DISTRICT 8. P.SREEVANI, D/O P.MUNIRATHNAM, 39 YEARS, CONTRACT LECTURER IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE S.V ARTS COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 9. DR.M.VASUDEVA REDDY, S/O M.NARAYANA REDDY 49 YEARS, CONTRACT LECTURER IN STATISTICS S.V ARTS COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 10. DR.G.MANJULA, W/O C.M.RAJASEKHAR, 45 YEARS, CONTRACT LECTURER IN COMMERCE S.V ARTS COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 11. DR.K.C.MUTHYALAIAH CHETTY, S/O (LATE) K.CHENCHURAMAIAH CHETTY 47 YEARS, CONTRACT LECTURER, DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE S.V ARTS COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 12. DR.M.RAVI PRASAD, S/O B.MUNISWARNY 41 YEARS, CONTRACT LECTURER IN COMMERCE, S.V ARTS COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT ...PETITIONER(S) AND 1. TIRUMALA TIRUPATHI DEVASTHANAM, TIRUPATHI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY ITS EXECUTIVE OFFICER 2. THE PRINCIPAL, SV ARTICLES COLLEGE, TIRUMALA TIRUPATHI DEVASTHANAM TIRUPATHI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 3. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT, AP SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT 4. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AP SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT 5. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL 3 VS,J W.P.Nos.8158 of 2018 & batch SECRETARY, FINANCE DEPARTMENT, AP SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT ...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased toto grant appropriate relief more in the nature of Writ of Mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution of India declaring the action of the Respondents in not paying minimum time scale and other benefits to the Petitioners attached to the post of Lecturers as per revised pay scales applicable to regular Lecturers working under the 1st Respondents Board in terms of law laid down by the Honorable Supreme Court in case of State of Punjab and others vs Jagjit Singh and others reported in 2016 INDLAW SC 738 as arbitrary, illegal, discriminatory and unconstitutional violating Article 14 16 and 21 of the Constitution of India apart from violating Article 41 of the constitution of India and contrary to the principle of law laid down by the Honorable Supreme Court in case of State of Punjab and others vs Jagjit Singh and others reported in 2016 INDLAW SC 738, and issue consequential directions, directing the Respondents to forthwith pay minimum time scale and other benefits to the Petitioners attached to the post of regular Lecturers as per revised pay scales applicable to regular Lecturers working in the 1st Respondents Board in terms of the law laid down by the Honorable Supreme Court in case of State of Punjab and others vs Jagjit Singh and others reported in 2016 INDLAW SC 738 with effect from the date of their initial appointment with all other consequential benefits and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2018 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to direct the Respondents to forthwith pay minimum time scale and other benefits to the Petitioners attached to the post of regular Lecturers as per revised pay scales applicable to regular Lecturers working in the 10 Respondents Board in terms of the law laid down by the Honorable Supreme Court in case of State of Punjab and others vs Jagjit Singh and others reported in 2016 INDLAW SC 738, pending disposal of the Writ Petition. Counsel for the Petitioner(S): 4 VS,J W.P.Nos.8158 of 2018 & batch 1. P V KRISHNAIAH Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR FINANCE PLANNING (AP) 2. GP FOR ENDOWMENTS (AP) 3. C SRINIVASA BABA 4. GP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION (AP) WRIT PETITION NO: 8460/2018 Between: 1. DR D UMAMAHESWARI, OCC CONTRACT LECTURER (PHYSICS), S.P.W. DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE, TIRUPATHI R/O. MIG QTR NO. 36, H.B. COLONY, SRIKALAHASTI (RS) CHITTOOR DISTR., A.P. 2. K. VIJAYA KUMAR, OCC CONTRACT LECTURER (POLITICAL SCIENCE), S.P.W DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE, TIRUPATHI, R/O. SANJAY GANDHI COLONY, KARLAGUNTA, TIRUPATHI, CHITTOOR DIST., A.P. 3. DR. S. KANCHANA LATHA, OCC CONTRACT LECTURER (SOCIOLOGY), S.P.W. DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE, TIRUPATHI, R/O. H. NO.15-37-4 ILND FLOOR, PADMAVATHI NAGAR, M. R. PALLE, TIRUPATI 517 502, CHITTOOR DIST.,A.P. 4. DR. C. ARUNA KUMARI, OCC CONTRACT LECTURER (SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY), S.P.W. DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, R/O. 18-1-502/B FLAT NO.56, RNR APTS., OPP. AXIS BANK, K. T. ROAD, BHAVANI NAGAR, TIRUPATI 517 501, CHITTOOR DIST., A.P. 5. DR. S. VARALAKSHMI, OCC CONTRACT LECTURER (BIOCHEMISTRY) S.P.W. DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, R/O. 15-96/IA, PADMAVATHI NAGAR, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DIST., A.P. 5 VS,J W.P.Nos.8158 of 2018 & batch 6. DR. K. DHANALAKSHMI, OCC CONTRACT LECTURER (CHEMISTRY), S.P.W. DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE, TIRUPATI R/O. C/O. K HIMAGIRI, NARASINGAPURAM (VKP) CHANDRAGIRI (M), CHITTOOR DIST., A.P. 7. DR. P. PADMAVATHI, OCC CONTRACT LECTURER (CHEMISTRY) S.P.W. DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, R/O. D.NO. 16-8- 108 SUNDARAIAH NAGAR, NEAR RAILWAY COLONY, TIRUPATHI, CHITTOOR DIST., A.P. 8. DR. S. MADHAVI, OCC CONTRACT LECTURER (ENGLISH) S.P.W. DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, R/O. URANDUR (VILL. AND POST), SRI KALAHASTI (MANDAL), CHITTOOR DIST., A.P. 9. DR. P. YAMINI, OCC CONTRACT LECTURER (CHEMISTRY) S.P.W. DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, R/O. D. NO.19-07-104/1F, GOPALRAJU COLONY, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DIST., A.P. 10. DR. T.K. PADMAJA, OCC CONTRACT LECTURER (BIOCHEMISTRY) S.P.W. DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, R/O. 11-155 S. V. NAGAR, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DIST., A.P. 11. DR. D. LAKSHMI DEVI, OCC CONTRACT LECTURER (ENGLISH), S.P.W. DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, R/O. FLAT 207, SPANDANA TOWERS, UPPARA PALLI ROAD, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DIST., A.P., 517 502 12. DR. P. SREELATHA, OCC CONTRACT LECTURER (ZOOLOGY) S.P.W. DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, R/O. 19-12-7/1, KESAVAYANAGUNTA, MAIN ROAD, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DIST. A.P. 13. DR. D. SRI SILPA, OCC CONTRACT LECTURER (ELECTRONICS), S.V. ARTS COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, R/O. H. NO.11-67/01 S. V. NAGAR, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DIST., A.P. 14. DR. N. VARAPRASUNA, OCC CONTRACT LECTURER (ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES), S.P.W. DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, R/O. 11-44 NADAMUNI REDDY BUILDINGS, S. V. NAGAR, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DIST., A.P. 6 VS,J W.P.Nos.8158 of 2018 & batch 15. P. SANDHYA PRIYA, OCC CONTRACT LECTUER (MICROBIOLOGY) S.V. ARTS COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, R/O. 20-1- 442/A MOSQUE STREET, MANTHI NAGAR, KARLAGUNTA, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DIST., A.P. 16. DR. G. LAKSHMI SANDHYA, OCC CONTRACT LECTURER (PHYSICS) S.P.W. DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE, TIRUPATI, R/O. FLAT 505, SPANDANA TOWERS, UPPARAPALLI ROAD, TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DIST., A.P. ...PETITIONER(S) AND 1. TIRUMALA TIRUPATHI DEVASTHANAM, TIRUPATHI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT, REPRESENTED ITS EXECUTIVE OFFICER 2. THE PRINCIPAL, S.P.W. DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE TIRUPATHI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 3. THE PRINCIPAL, S.V. ARTS COLLEGE, TIRUPATHI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 4. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT, AP SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT 5. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AP SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT 6. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REPRESENTED BY IS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, FINANCE DEPARTMENT, AP SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT ...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased toto grant appropriate relief more in the nature of Writ of Mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution of India declaring the action of the Respondents in not paying minimum time scale and other benefits to the 7 VS,J W.P.Nos.8158 of 2018 & batch Petitioners attached to the post of Lecturers as per revised pay scales applicable to regular Lecturers working under the 1st Respondent's Board in terms of law laid down by the Hon'bie Supreme Court in case of State of Punjab and others vs Jagjit Singh and others reported in 2016 INDLAW SC 738 as arbitrary, illegal, discriminatory and unconstitutional violating Article 14 16 and 21 of the Constitution of India apart from violating Article 41 of the constitution of India and contrary to the principle of law laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in case of State of Punjab and others vs Jagjit Singh and others reported in 2016 INDLAW SC 738 and issue consequential directions directing the Respondents to forthwith pay minimum time scale and other benefits to the Petitioners attached to the post of regular Lecturers as per revised pay scales applicable to regular Lecturers working in the 1st Respondent's Board in terms of the law laid down by the Hon' ble Supreme Court in case of State of Punjab and others vs Jagjit Singh and others reported in 2016 INDLAW SC 738 with effect from the date of their initial appointment with all other consequential benefits IA NO: 1 OF 2018 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to direct the Respondents to forthwith pay minimum time scale and other benefits to the Petitioners attached to the post of regular Lecturers as per revised pay scales applicable to regular Lecturers working in the 1st Respondent's Board in terms of the law laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in case of State of Punjab and others vs Jagjit Singh and others reported in 2016 indlaw sc 738 pending disposal of the Writ Petition. Counsel for the Petitioner(S): 1. P V KRISHNAIAH Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR FINANCE PLANNING (AP) 2. GP FOR ENDOWMENTS (AP) 3. C SRINIVASA BABA 4. GP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION (AP) 8 VS,J W.P.Nos.8158 of 2018 & batch WRIT PETITION NO: 8833/2018 Between: 1. P. LATHA, D/O P. RAMACHANDRAIAH AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS, OCC. CONTRACT LECTURER (ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES), S.G.S. ARTS COLLEGE TIRUPATI, R/O D.NO.4-16/1, 1ST FLOOR, RENIGUNTA ROAD TIRUCHANOOR VILLAGE, TIRUPATI RURAL CHITTOOR DISTRICT AP - 517 503 ...PETITIONER AND 1. TIRUMALA TIRUPATHI DEVASTHANAM, TIRUPATHI, C.HITTOOR DISTRICT, REPRESENTED ITS EXECUTIVE OFFICER 2. THE PRINCIPAL, S.G.S ARTS COLLEGE TIRUPATI, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 3. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT, AP. SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT 4. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AP SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT 5. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, FINANCE DEPARTMENT, AP SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI. GUNTUR DISTRICT ...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased toto grant appropriate relief more in the nature of Writ of Mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution of India declaring the action of the Respondents in not paying minimum time scale and other benefits to the Petitioner attached to the post of Lecturers as per revised pay scales applicable to regular Lecturers working under the 1st Respondents Board in terms of law laid dawn by the Honble Supreme Court in case of State of 9 VS,J W.P.Nos.8158 of 2018 & batch Punjab and others vs Jagjit Singh and others reported in 2016 INDLAW SC 738 as arbitrary, illegal, discriminatory and unconstitutional violating Article 14 16 and 21 of the Constitution of India apart from violating Article 41 of the constitution of India and contrary to the principle of law laid down by the Honble Supreme Court in case of State of Punjab and others vs Jagjit Singh and others reported in 2016 INDLAW SC 738 and issue consequential directions directing the Respondents to forthwith pay minimum time scale and other benefits to the Petitioner attached to the post of regular Lecturers as per revised pay scales applicable to regular Lecturers working in the 1st Respondents Board in terms of the law laid down by the Honble Supreme Court in case of State of Punjab and others vs Jagjit Singh and others reported in 2016 INDLAW SC 738 with effect from the date of their initial appointment with all other consequential benefits and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2018 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to direct the Respondents to forthwith pay minirnum time scale and other benefits to the Petitioner attached to the oost of regular Lecturers as per revised pay scales applicable to regular Lecturers working in the 1st Respondents Board in terms of the law laid down by the Honble Supreme Court in case of State of Punjab and others vs Jagjit Singh and others reported in 2016 INDLAW SC 738, pending disposal of the Writ Petition. Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. P V KRISHNAIAH Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR FINANCE PLANNING (AP) 2. GP FOR ENDOWMENTS (AP) 3. C SRINIVASA BABA 4. GP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION (AP) The Court made the following: 10 VS,J W.P.Nos.8158 of 2018 & batch COMMON ORDER: All these petitions are filed claiming same relief by different petitioners, but the issue involved in these petitions is one and the same. Therefore, I am of the view that it is appropriate to decide all the petitions by way of this common order. 2. Aggrieved by the action of the respondent authorities in not paying minimum time scale and other benefits to the petitioners attached to the post of Lecturer as per revised pay scales applicable to regular Lecturers working under the 1st respondent, these writ petitions are filed. 3. All the petitioners herein were appointed as contract Lecturers in the respondent colleges which are governed by the 1st respondent – Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam, Tirupathi, Chittoor District. The petitioners are fully eligible and qualified for appointment to the post of Lecturer in Degree and PG colleges in the state, as they not only acquired PG degree in respective subjects but also obtained doctorates in relevant subject, which is one of the requisite qualifications for appointment to the post of Lecturer. 4. It is the case of the petitioners that though the Hon‟ble Apex Court in State of Punjab & ors., Vs. Jagjit Singh and ors.,1, held that all the temporary employees would be entitled to draw wages at the minimum of the pay-scale grade, in the regular pay scale extended to 1 (2017) 1 SCC 148 11 VS,J W.P.Nos.8158 of 2018 & batch regular employees holding the same post, the respondent board is not paying the minimum of the time scale and other benefits in the scale extended to regular Lecturer to the petitioners. Hence, these writ petitions are filed. 5. When these writ petitions came up for admission, this Court, considering the principle of law laid down by the Hon‟ble Apex Court in State of Punjab & ors., Vs. Jagjit Singh and ors., passed an interim order directing the 1st respondent to grant minimum time scale of pay to the petitioners if they are found to be discharging the same duties and responsibilities attached to the post of Lecturer and qualified to hold the regular post. 6. Heard Sri. P.V. Krishnaiah, learned counsel for the petitioners, Sri. C. Srinivasa Baba, learned Standing Counsel for the 1st respondent and learned Assistant Government Pleader for Endowments. 7. Perused the entire material available on record. Though the 1st respondent filed a detailed counter affidavit contending on various aspects relating to the subject case, during the course of arguments, learned Standing Counsel has furnished the proceedings of the Executive Officer, Education Department, T.T.D. Devasthanams, Tirupathi bearing Roc.No.TTD-80021(31)/177/2022-DEO-SEC-TTD, dated 22.10.2022 whereby, permission was accorded for extension of Minimum of Time Scale (MTS) in Revised Pay Scales – 2022 to contract faculty working in 12 VS,J W.P.Nos.8158 of 2018 & batch various TTD Educational Institutions in terms of G.O.Ms.No.5, dated 17.01.2022. Thus, it is very clear that the petitioners, who are working as Lecturers in various colleges governed by the 1st respondent, under contract basis are already being paid the Minimum of Time Scale (MTS) in Revised Pay Scales – 2022 extended to a regular Lecturer. 8. The Hon‟ble Supreme Court of India, in State of Punjab & ors., Vs. Jagjit Singh and ors., (referred supra) at paragraph No.55 held as under: “55. …We affirm the decision rendered in State of Punjab v. Rajinder Kumar „State of Punjab v. Rajinder Kumar, 2010 SCC OnLine P&H 13009], with the modification that the employees concerned would be entitled to the minimum of the pay scale, of the category to which they belong, but would not be entitled to allowances attached to the posts held by them.” 9. The Apex Court, considering the expression „pay‟, in Tej Singh and Others v. Sarvesh Kaushal and Ors.,2, held as under in its order dated 04.05.2016: “After hearing learned counsel for the parties, we are of the opinion that the expression “minimum of the pay” mentioned in paragraph 22 is intended to mean not only the basic pay + grade pay, but also the dearness allowance that comes along with the basic pay and grade pay. This is in the context of the view expressed by this Court denying regular appointments to the petitioners, while taking into consideration the fact that the services of the Home Guards are used during an emergency and for other purposes and at the time 2 Contempt Petition (Civil) Nos.699-700 of 2015 13 VS,J W.P.Nos.8158 of 2018 & batch of their duty they are empowered with the power of police personnel. Accordingly, we make it clear that the word “minimum of the pay” used in paragraph 22 of the judgment and order dated 11th March, 2015 means the basic pay + grade pay + dearness allowances + washing allowance.” 10. It is made clear that once the petitioners are held entitled to the benefit of the Minimum of Time Scale (MTS), their remuneration shall necessarily be determined in accordance with the law laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. As referred supra, in State of Punjab & Ors. v. Jagjit Singh & Ors., the Apex Court held that similarly situated employees are entitled to the minimum of the pay scale applicable to the post. The expression "minimum of the pay" was subsequently clarified in Tej Singh and Others v. Sarvesh Kaushal and Others to include the basic pay and also the dearness allowance and other admissible components. Therefore, the petitioners are entitled to payment of the Minimum of Time Scale including the dearness allowance as explained by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. 11. Considering the fact that the petitioners were selected through a regular selection process after due notification on contract/temporary basis, the 1st respondent is directed to continue to pay the Minimum of Time Scale to all the petitioners including the dearness allowance and other admissible components, attached to the post of Lecturer. It is 14 VS,J W.P.Nos.8158 of 2018 & batch needless to state that the respondents shall pay arrears of dearness allowance and other admissible components attached to the post of Lecturer with effect from 01.01.2022 to the petitioners. The said process shall be completed within a period of three (3) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 12. Accordingly, with the above directions, these writ petitions are allowed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, Miscellaneous Petitions, if any, pending in this Petition shall stand closed. _____________________ JUSTICE V.SUJATHA 20.07.2026 Gss