Now Reading: Tribunal seeks UT reply on cancelled promotions of accounts officers
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Tribunal seeks UT reply on cancelled promotions of accounts officers
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Chandigarh bench, has issued notice to the Chandigarh administration on a plea by 11 serving and retired officers challenging the cancellation of their career promotions and backdated…
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Chandigarh bench, has issued notice to the Chandigarh administration on a plea by 11 serving and retired officers challenging the cancellation of their career promotions and backdated pay upgrades. The applicants, from the subordinate audit/accounts service cadre, allege lack of due process and discrimination.
The administration had granted the officers an upgrade from assistant controller (F&A) to deputy controller (F&A) effective from April 26, 2023, through orders dated July 10 and July 15. However, an August 6 order changed the effective date to July 10, 2026, and an August 10 order removed them from the upgraded cadre altogether.
The applicants told the tribunal they were made to suffer for the administration's nearly three-year delay, and that the benefit was withdrawn without notice or hearing. They also cited similar benefits granted retrospectively in other cases. CAT has given the administration three weeks to file its reply, with the next hearing and interim relief plea set for September 21.
Indian Opinion Analysis
This case hinges on whether the administration followed natural justice principles when it reversed promotions without prior notice. The officers' claim under Articles 14 (equality) and 16 (equal opportunity in public employment) of the Constitution is a standard challenge in service disputes. The tribunal will likely assess if the administration had a valid reason for the rollback, such as an error in the original promotion orders, and whether it gave the officers a chance to be heard. The September 21 hearing will determine if interim relief, which could restore the promotions pending the final decision, is granted.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
