Bombay High Court
ARCHANA RAJENDRA SONAWANEversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THR. ITS SECRETARY RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND ORS.
- Disposal
- DISPOSED OFF
Holding
The petitioners are entitled to the additional increment, and the respondents must consider and grant it within six months.
Summary
The petitioners, who had been awarded the Adarsh Shikshak Puraskar, claimed they were entitled to an additional increment under Government Circular dated 12.12.2000, but the increment had not been granted. The respondents, including the State of Maharashtra and the Zilla Parishad, failed to take cognizance of the claim. The Court noted that the petitioners' situation fell within the scope of its earlier order dated 25.01.2019 in Writ Petition No. 1954 of 2018, which dealt with similar awardees. Relying on that precedent, the Court directed the Zilla Parishad, after confirming the petitioners were district awardees before 04.09.2018, to consider their entitlement to the additional increment on its merits and to decide within six months. Consequently, the writ petitions were disposed with the specific direction to grant the increment expeditiously.
Issues considered
- Whether teachers awarded the Adarsh Shikshak Puraskar are entitled to the additional increment prescribed in Government Circular dated 12.12.2000
- Whether the respondents are liable to grant the increment and take cognizance of the petitioners' claim
Subjects
- Adarsh Shikshak Puraskar
- Teacher Increment
- Government Circular
- Writ Petition
- Administrative Law
Judgment
2026:BHC-AUG:38364-DB
{1} 102-WP-7843-2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF BOMBAY
BENCH AT AURANGABAD
WRIT PETITION NO. 7843 OF 2026
Sau. Yojana Ashok Pawar
VERSUS
The State Of Maharashtra And Others
WRIT PETITION NO. 7845 OF 2026
Sau. Archana Rajendra Sonawane
VERSUS
The State Of Maharashtra And Others
WRIT PETITION NO. 7847 OF 2026
Jagdish Baliram Patil
VERSUS
The State Of Maharashtra And Others
...
Mr. Manish Bhamre, Advocate for the Petitioners
Ms. Archana Pawar, Advocate for Respondent No. 5 and 6
Mr. V.M. Kagne, AGP for State in WP/7843/2026
Mr N.S. Tekale, AGP for State in WP/7845/2026
Ms. Neha Kamble, AGP for State in WP/7847/2026
.......
CORAM : NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI AND
ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, JJ.
DATE : 21st AUGUST, 2026
PER COURT :
1. The grievance of the petitioners is that though the petitioners are
awarded “Adarsh Shikshak Puraskar”, additional one increment though
entitled to is not been given. No cognizance is also taken by the
respondents of the same. The respondents be directed to give benefit
of one advance increment as per Circular dated 12.12.2000.
{2} 102-WP-7843-2026
2. Indisputably the case of the petitioners is squarely covered by
the order passed by this Court dated 25.01.2019 in Writ Petition No.
1954 of 2018 and connected matters.
3. For the reasons recorded in the said order, writ petitions are
disposed of with following direction:
(i) Respondent No. 5/Zilla Parishad after confirming themselves
of the Petitioners being District Awardee Teachers and
awarded certificates prior to 04.09.2018 shall consider the
case of the Petitioners for additional increment as is laid
down under the Government Circular dated 12.12.2000. The
same shall be considered on its own merits expeditiously
and preferably within a period of six months.
(ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, J.) (NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI, J.)
Bhagyawant Punde
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