The Division Bench of the Chhattisgarh High Court (Parth Prateem Sahu and Sushma Sawant, JJ) dismissed a writ appeal (WA No. 849/2026) filed by Shiksha Karmi (Panchayat teachers) seeking the benefit of Kramonnati Vetanman (first time-bound pay scale after 10 years) under the State Government circular dated 10.03.2017. The petitioners were appointed as Shiksha Karmi Grade-III/II by Janpad/Zila Panchayats between 1998 and 2008 and regularised under the Chhattisgarh Panchayat Shiksha Karmi Rules, 2007 and 2012 framed under the Panchayat Raj Adhiniyam, 1993. Their services were absorbed into the School Education Department only with effect from 01.07.2018 pursuant to a policy decision dated 30.06.2018.
The court held:
1. The circular dated 10.03.2017 applies only to regular Assistant Teachers, Teachers and Lecturers of the School Education Department (State Government employees) who have completed 10/20 years of service. It does not extend to Panchayat cadre employees, including Shiksha Karmi, whose service conditions were governed by separate Panchayat rules until absorption.
2. The petitioners cannot claim parity with Smt. Sona Sahu (WA No. 261/2023), whose case involved distinct factual circumstances — she was appointed as Assistant Teacher in a Government school in 2005 and the benefit was granted based on peculiar facts, including multiple departmental circulars and a Supreme Court dismissal of SLP on those facts.
3. The absorption order dated 30.06.2018 (Clauses 4 and 5) and the subsequent circular dated 06.04.2019 expressly prohibit the grant of any arrears or benefits for the period prior to 01.07.2018 to absorbed Shiksha Karmi.
4. The coordinate bench decisions in Pushpalata Manikpuri (WA No. 193/2026, decided 13.03.2026) and Jeewan Lal Banjare (WA No. 191/2026) have consistently held that Shiksha Karmi governed by Panchayat rules are not entitled to pay scales applicable to School Education Department teachers. The learned Single Judge's order dismissing the writ petition (WPS No. 13393/2025) was found to be well-reasoned and free from perversity.
5. In an intra-court appeal, interference is unwarranted absent palpable infirmity. The appeal was dismissed at the admission stage.