Chanchala Mandal And ANR. v. The State Of West Bengal And ORS.

08.04.2025 Court No. 18 Item No.09 (Suvendu) WPA 7712 of 2025 Chanchala Mandal & Anr.

-Versus- The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Sunit Kumar Roy Mr. Santanu Maji Ms. Debrani Mondal Ms. Rima Banerjee .....for the petitioners Sk. Wayeemul Hoque ....for the DPSC, Murshidabad Mr. Arindam Chattopadhyay Ms. Lipika Chatterjee ....for the State Affidavit of service filed on behalf of the petitioners is taken on record.

At the threshold question is raised how writ petition at the instance of more than one petitioner is maintainable since petitioners have claimed "A" category scale of pay being teachers of different primary schools and they have been appointed on different dates. It is not a case of common cause of action for which petitioners can jointly file a single writ petition claiming benefits of "A" category scale of pay.

Learned advocate for the petitioners submits that let this writ petition be considered in respect of petitioner no. 1 and prays for leave

to prefer separate writ petition in respect of petitioner no. 2 on self-same cause of action. In view of such submissions made on behalf of the petitioners, present writ petition is entertained in respect of petitioner no. 1 (hereinafter referred to as "petitioner") and leave is granted to petitioner no. 2 to prefer writ petition separately on self-same cause of action. By presenting this writ petition, petitioner has claimed sanction of "A" category scale of pay upon giving credence to B.Ed. qualification which petitioner is possessing. In support of such contention, reliance is placed on the judgment of the Hon'ble Division Bench dated 30th July, 2024 passed on intra-court appeal being MAT 1038/2024 (Waliur Rahaman & Ors. Vs. The State of West Bengal & Ors.).

It is submitted on behalf of the petitioner that when similarly circumstanced other candidates who are working as primary teachers are getting "A" category scale of pay in consideration of their B.Ed. qualification why the petitioner will be deprived of "A" category scale of pay.

State respondents are represented by learned advocate who has opposed the prayer of the petitioner since according to the State

respondents for getting "A" category scale of pay candidate is required to obtain D.EL.Ed.

qualification or six months Bridge Course is to be completed to become eligible for receiving "A" category scale of pay.

Paragraph 13 of the order of the Hon'ble Division Bench dated 30th July, 2024 discloses a situation where similarly circumstanced candidates were sanctioned "A" category scale of pay though they did not complete six months Bridge Course.

It is also apparent from the submissions made on behalf of the parties that modality of six months Bridge Course has not yet been formulated by the appropriate authority.

In view of aforesaid situation, petitioner is granted leave to make a representation to the Commissioner of School Education, West Bengal enclosing necessary documents by fortnight from date claiming "A" category scale of pay. In the event representation is made within the prescribed time before the Commissioner of School Education, same shall be decided in accordance with law by passing a reasoned order after granting opportunity of hearing to the petitioner or her representative within a period of twelve weeks thereafter. Decision to be taken

by the Commissioner of School Education shall be communicated to the petitioner by ten days thereafter.

Writ petition stands disposed of.

There shall be, however, no order as to costs.

Urgent photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be given to the parties on usual undertaking.

(Saugata Bhattacharyya, J.)