- (1.) Aggrieved by the penalty of reduction to lower stages in time scale permanently with further direction that no increment would be earned within the period of such reduction and order dated 14.02.2004 whereby the application seeking voluntary retirement under Circular dated 01.11.2000 has been rejected, the petitioner, who is wife of an employee of the Bank of India has approached this Court.
(2.) The husband of the petitioner, who was employed on 12.06.1976 in the respondent-Bank, applied under Voluntary Retirement Scheme on 17.11.2000 in terms of Circular dated 01.11.2000. The application of the petitioner's husband remained pending and no decision was taken. In the meantime, departmental enquiry was initiated against the husband of the petitioner and an order of major penalty as noted above has been passed.
(3.) Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner has contended that in terms of Circular dated 01.11.2000, the husband of the petitioner fulfilled all the eligibility criteria and he was entitled for grant of VRS under the Circular dated 01.11.2000. However, his application was kept pending for months and no decision was taken and subsequently, departmental proceeding was initiated against the husband of the petitioner on frivolous ground and on that basis the husband of the petitioner could not be denied the benefit of Voluntary Retirement Scheme.;