Tuesday 16 October 2018

BOMBAY HIGH COURT JUDGEMENT DATED 15-10-2018 ON MACPS


Please refer to my earlier Blogs related to the effective date of  MACPS and my pending Writ petition before the Hon'ble Bombay High Court. Finally, the Court delivered the judgement on 15-10-2018. The 4 respondents are:- 
  1. D.O.P.T.                                 
  2. Min. Fin., Dep. of Expt.         
  3. Cent.Adm.Tribunal, Mumbai Bench.             
  4. D.G.A.(Central), Mumbai.    
Though the Judgement is based on my Personal Writ Petition, hope DOPT will apply it to all covered under its jurisdiction.




3. The challenge in this petition to the judgment and order dated 16th April, 2013 made by the Central Administrative Tribunal (for short 'the CAT'), dismissing the Original Application No. 145 of 2013 instituted by the petitioner seeking benefit of Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) with effect from 1st January, 2006 along with all other consequential benefits.

4. Mr. M. P. Joseph-the petitioner in person submits that the issue raised in the present petition is answered in favour of the petitioner by the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Union of India and others Vs. Balbir Singh Turn and another (2018) 11 SCC 99 and therefore the CAT's impugned judgment and order may be set aside and the relief prayed for by him in his Original Application No. 145 of 2013 be granted.

5. The learned Counsel for the respondents submit that the benefit under the MACP cannot be regarded as any part of the pay structure extended to the civilian employees and therefore the CAT was justified in denying relief to the petitioner. The learned Counsel submit that the recommendations of the pay commissions are not per-se binding upon the Government and the implementation, including the date from which such recommendations are to be implemented are matters in the discretion of the Government. Since, in the present case, implementation in respect of allowances was directed with effect from 1st September, 2008, the petitioner was not at all justified in seeking implementation with effect from 1st January, 2006. For these reasons the learned Counsel for the respondents submit that this petition may be dismissed.

6. The rival contentions now fall for our determination.

7. There is no dispute in the present case that the petitioner is eligible for receipt of benefits under the MACP. The only dispute is whether the petitioner is required to be granted the benefits under the MACP with effect from 1st January, 2006 as claimed by him in his Original Application No. 145 of 2013 or whether such benefits are due and payable to the petitioner with effect from 1st September, 2008 as contended by and on behalf of the respondents.

8. The sixth pay commission made recommendations with regard to Armed Forces Personnel. By a resolution dated 30th August, 2008, the Central Government resolved to accept such recommendations with regard to Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) subject to certain modifications. Clause (i) of this resolution as relevant and the same reads as follows:-

“(i) Implementation of the revised pay structure of pay bands and grade pay, as well as pension, with effect from 1-1-2006 and revised rates of allowances (except dearness allowances/relief) with effect from 1-9-2008;”

9. As noted earlier, the only issue which arises in the present petition is whether the benefit under MACP is to be regarded as a part of the pay structure of pay bands and grade pay or whether such benefit is to be regarded as “allowances (except dearness allowance/relief)”. If the benefit under MACP is to be regarded as a part of the pay structure of pay bands and grade pay, then obviously the petitioner is right in contending that such benefit will have to be extended to him with effect from 1st January, 2006 in terms of Clause (i) of the aforesaid resolution dated 30th August, 2008. However, if, as held by the CAT in the present case, the benefit of MACP is to be regarded as “allowances (except dearness allowance/relief)”, then the respondents would be right in their contention that such benefit is payable only with effect from 1st September, 2008.

10. The aforesaid was the precise issue which arose for consideration in case of Balbir Singh Turn (supra). The Apex Court upon consideration of the Central Government Resolution dated 30th August, 2008 along with Part-A of Annexure-I thereto has clearly held that the benefit under MACP is a part of the pay structure and therefore such benefit was payable from 1st January, 2006 and not from 1st September, 2008.

11. The reasoning is contained in paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 ofMthe Apex Court ruling, which reads as follows :-
“6. The answer to this question will lie in the interpretation given to the Government Resolution, relevant portion of which has been quotedhereinabove. A bare perusal of Clause (i) of the Resolution clearly indicates that the Central Government decided to implement the revised pay structure of pay bands and grade pay, as well as pension with effect from 1-1-2006. The second part of the clause lays down that all allowances except the dearness allowance/relief will be effective from 1-9-2008. The AFT held, and in our opinion rightly so, that the benefit of MACP is part of the pay structure and will affect the grade pay of the employees and, therefore, it cannot be said that it is a part of allowances. The benefit of MACP if given to the respondents would affect their pension also.
7. We may also point out that along with this Resolution there is Annexure I. Part A of Annexure I deals with the pay structure, grade pay, pay bands, etc., and Item 10 reads as follows:
10
Assured Career Progression Scheme for PBORs. The Commission recommends that the time bound promotion scheme in case of PBORs shall allow two financial upgradations on completion of 10 and 20 years of service as at present. The financial upgradations under the scheme shall allow benefit of pay fixation equal to one increment along with the higher grade pay. As regards the other suggestions relating to residency period for promotion of PBORs Ministry of Defence may set up an Inter-Services Committee to consider the matter after the revised scheme of running bands is implemented (Para 2.3.34)
Three ACP upgradations after 8, 16 and 24 years of service has been approved. The upgradation will take place only in the hierarchy of grade pays, which need not necessarily be the hierarchy in that particular cadre.

Part B of Annexure I deals with allowances, concessions and benefits and conditions of service of defence forces personnel. It is apparent that the Government itself by placing MACP in Part A of Annexure I was considering it to be the part of the pay structure.
8. The MACP Scheme was initially notified vide Special Army Instructions dated 11-10-2008. The Scheme was called the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme for Personnel Below Officer Rank in the Indian Army. After the Resolution was passed by the Central Government on 30-8-2008 Special Army Instructions were issued on 11-10-2008 dealing with revision of pay structure. As far as ACP is concerned Para 15 of the said letter reads as follows :
“15. Assured Career Progression. In pursuance with the Government Resolution of Assured Career Progression (ACP), a directly recruited PBOR as a Sepoy, Havildar or JCO will be entitled to minimum three financial upgradations after 8, 16 and 24 years of service. At the time of each financial upgradation under ACP, the PBOR would get an additional increment and next higher grade pay in hierarchy.”
Thereafter, another letter was issued by the Adjutant General Branch on 3-8-2009. Relevant portion of which reads as follows :
“... The new ACP (3 ACP at 8, 16, 24 years of service) should be applicable w.e.f. 1-1-2006, and the old provisions (operative w.e.f. the Vth Pay Commission) would be applicable till 31-12-2005. Regular service for the purpose of ACP shall commence from the date of joining of a post in direct entry grade.”
Finally, on 30-5-2011 another letter was issued by the Ministry of Defence, relevant portion of which reads as follows:
“5. The Scheme would be operational w.e.f. 1-9-2008. In other words, financial upgradations as per the provisions of the earlier ACP scheme (of August 2003) would be granted till 31-8-2008.”
Therefore, even as per the understanding of the Army and other authorities up till the issuance of the letter dated 30-5-2011 the benefit of MACP was available from 1-1-2006.”
[emphasis supplied]

12. The CAT, when it delivered the impugned judgment and order dated 16th April, 2013 did not have the benefit of the ruling of the Apex Court in Balbir Singh Turn(supra) which was decided only on 8th December, 2017. The view taken by the CAT in the impugned judgment and order is now in direct conflict with the view taken by the Apex Court in Balbir Singh Turn (supra). Obviously, therefore, the impugned judgment and order will have to be set aside and the petitioner will have to be held to be entitled to receive the benefits under MACP with effect from 1st January, 2006 together with all consequential benefits.

13. The contentions raised by and on behalf of the respondents cannot be accepted, particularly, in the light of the ruling of the Apex Court in Balbir Singh Turn (supra). The Apex Court, in clear terms and in the precise context of Central Government's resolution dated 30th August, 2008 held that the benefit of MACP is a part of the pay structure and not merely some allowance. The Apex Court has held that the benefit of MACP affects not only the pay but also the pension of an employee and therefore, the same, is not an allowance but part of the pay itself. In terms of Clause (i) of the Central Government's resolution, admittedly, the pay component became payable with effect from 1st January, 2006 unlike the allowance component which became payable from 1st September, 2008.

14. Besides, this is not a case where the petitioner was insisting upon preponement of the date for implementation of the recommendations of the pay commission. The Central Government, vide resolution dated 30th August, 2008 had already accepted the recommendations with regard to POBR, no doubt subject to certain modifications. The relief claimed by the petitioner was entirely consistent with Clause (i) of the resolution dated 30th August, 2008, which in fact required the Government to extend benefits of revised pay structure of pay bands and grade pay, as well as pension with effect from 1st January, 2006.

15. Accordingly, we dispose of this petition with the following order:-

O R D E R
(a) The impugned judgment and order dated 16th April, 2013 made by the CAT is hereby set aside.

(b) The petitioner is held entitled to receive the benefit of MACP with effect from 1st January, 2006 together with all consequential benefits.

(c) The respondents are directed to work out the benefits of MACP with effect from 1st January, 2006 together with consequential benefits and to pay the same to the petitioner as expeditiously as possible and in any case within a period of three months from today.

(d) If, such benefits/consequential benefits are not paid to the petitioner within three months from today, then the respondents will liable to pay interest thereon @ 6% p.a. from the date such payments became due and payable, till the date of actual payment.

(e) Rule is made absolute in the aforesaid terms. There shall however be no order as to costs.

( M. S. SONAK, J. )                                                          ( A. S. OKA, J. )

N.B:-
[Some people expose scams after retirement. But I fought it while in service. My book "A FRAUD IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION" is history of my fight. To read free part of the e-book or to buy e-book or paperback online, go to Link: http://www.amazon.in/dp/9352353986 ]

27 comments:

  1. great mr joseph u have fought and won a case which was neglect by dopt and central govt can we quote this judgement in our case or we also have to go to court to get the benefit pl eplain i am retired from railways

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    1. No doubt, High Court and Supreme Court decisions are treated as case laws which can be quoted. However, in this case, though it is on my personal case, I hope the DOPT suo moto will change their OM in the spirit of the decision.

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  3. Well done Mr Joseph. This judgment will benefit thousands of Central Govt. Employees. DOPT must amend the MACP orders in line with the above judgment.

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  4. Well done Mr Joseph. This judgment will benefit thousands of Central Govt. Employees. DOPT must amend the MACP orders in line with the above judgment.

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  5. Can you post full judgements scanned copy sir

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    1. There are 10 pages. Not easy to scan and post. Copy can be downloaded from www.bombayhighcourt.nic.in or https://indiankanoon.org/

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  6. Great moral victory ,Joseph.It motivates..


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  7. Done a great job sir. Congrats

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  8. Congratulations, the Judgement you got/ won is very much useful several our Central Government Employees.Thank you for the victory. Wish you all the best Joseph.

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  9. I hope you remember me. Congrats Mr. Joseph

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  10. Already given d benefit to defence personnel upon dismissal of SLP, but not extended to anybody.

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  11. Congrats MP. It will benefit many. May impact some more OMs.

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  12. Well fought brother. Atlast justice has come. Let this judgement be extended to others also.

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  13. Congratulations Mr. Joseph. I have no idea if this judgement will benefit me and others placed like me. I retired as Dy. CSTE in 1976 as a PSU absorbee with a Qualifying Service of 18 years. My pension was fixed at Rs. 359 based on my last pay drawn in the Junior Administrative Grade Rs. 1300 - 1600. I joined IR in May 1958. Is MACP applicable to me? Probably not. Can someone enlighten me? Thanks in advance.

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  14. Congratulations on account of Dusshera the govt. should be able to amend previous orders.

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  15. Well done a good judgement by high court , let us hope the Central government implement this judgement in the right spirit , the Confederation will take up this issue with the Government.

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  16. KSSV Narasimham, (Retd) Sr. AO Congratulations Mr. Joseph.You have shown the path to other working and Retd officers. I am afraid dopt may not take up the issue suo motivation. It needs vigorous pursue from our Union leaders. CGA has to move the case to DOPT with it's recommendation. Then the file goes to Min. Of Finance for vetting. So what I mean to say is, still a fight is necessary to achieve the GP Wef 1.1.2006.

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    1. MACP starts from 01-01-2006 as per the Cabinet decision published in the Government Resolution. Not before that.

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  18. Congratulations, Mr.M.P.Joseph !
    Your case has paved a way to benefit other government employees/pensioners.It for DOPT to make ammendments to MACP Rules suo moto or based on further judgements of court of law in the event of petitions based on the present judgement of Bombay High Court.

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  19. Congratulations, this would benefit so many others too.

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  20. Sir, congratulations for your victory.
    Post your details working department,designation etc please

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  21. Just below the blog, there is an Amazon link to my book. Go to that link and click LOOK INSIDE. First few pages are free to read and my full information is available there.

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  22. I retired as Administrative officer at AIR on 30.4.2012,(ministry of I&B) will it apply to me as well?

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  23. First I congrats for the decision. Sir kindly intimate the present position of the judgement whether it is pending with supreme Court I am also applicable for the same wef 27 Jan 2007 as I have completed 10 yrs of service. But DOPT issued a letter on 09 Jan 2019 and denied the same is not possible.

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