P. Sam Koshy, J
1. The limited prayer which the petitioner has sought in this writ petition is for a direction to respondent no.1 to take a decision on the claim of the
petitioner for grant of two advance increments on his/her obtaining B.Ed./D.Ed. certificate both prior to appointment as well as subsequent to the
appointment which is being otherwise provided to the Govt. teachers.
2. The claim of the petitioner is based on the fact that the nature of duties discharged by him/her as Shiksha Karmis are identical and similar to the
government teachers and his/her services have also now got merged with the Education Department. Therefore, the benefits which are being
extended to the government teachers should also be extended to the petitioner.
3. Given the nature of dispute and also the fact that the claim of the petitioner would require a policy decision on the part of the State Govt., this court
does not intend to keep the petition pending any further, rather ends of justice would meet if the petition is disposed of with a direction to respondents 1
& 2 to take a decision in this regard as to whether the petitioner would also be entitled for similar benefits as are being granted to the regular
government teachers. It is ordered accordingly. Let this exercise be concluded within a period of 4 months from the date of receipt of certified copy
of this order. It shall be the responsibility of the petitioner to bring the order of this Court to the notice of respondents 1 & 2 along with any fresh
representation, if they so prefer.
4. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed anything on merits of the case so far as the entitlement of the petitioner is concerned. The
Respondents shall be at liberty to take a decision independently.