AMARESHWAR SAHAY, J. - (1.) THE Officer 'sAssociation of Ranchi Kshetriya Gramin Bank (hereinafter referred to as the 'RKGB ' in short) has prayed for quashing of the letter dated 5.6.1995 of the Chairman of RKGB (Annexure -10), whereby the representation filed by the petitioner was rejected after holding that the management of RKGB had neither denied nor withdrawn the benefit of actual re - imbursement of expenses on conveyance but only the mode and basis of re -imbursement have been changed and that the change in mode and basis of payment was within the authority of the management of RKGB.
(2.) THE case of the petitioner is that the Regional Rural Bank Act, 1976 was enacted by the Central Government with an object for providing incorporation, regulation and winding up of Regional Rural Banks with a view of developing the rural economy by providing for the purpose of development of Agricultural Trade Commerce Industry and other productive activities in the rural areas, RKGB was created by a notification of the Central Government and the Bank of India became sponsor bank. The Bank of India (Officers and Regulation Act, 1979) deal with the provision for giving reimbursement of expenses on traveling on consolidated basis which is being given to the Officers of the Bank of India. The said benefit of re -imbursement of expenses on traveling was also extended to the employees of RKGB vide notification dated 10.4.1992 (Annexure -4). The said notification as contained in Annexure -4 was enforced on 1.3.1991. It is further stated that pursuant to the order dated 1.7.1987 of the Supreme Court a National Industrial Tribunal headed by the Hon ble Mr. Justice S. Abdul Reddy a retired Judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court was constituted with regard to the disputes relating to pay, salary and other allowances and benefits payable to the employees of the Regional Rural Bank. The said Industrial Tribunal by its award dated 30.4.1990 held that the officers and other employees of the Regional Rural Bank shall be entitled to the pay scale, allowances and other benefits at par with the officers and other staffs of comparable level in corresponding post in the sponsor bank. Thereafter an Equation Committee was constituted, which, after considering the entire matter and taking into consideration the award of the said Tribunal made various recommendations which were implemented by the Central Government. It is also stated that accordingly the management of RKGB on the basis of the report of the Equation Committee and also on the basis of the award of the National Industrial Tribunal, the said benefits were extended to the employees of RKGB.
(3.) THE grievance of the petitioner is that by issue of Annexure -6 dated 20.10.1993, the said benefit was withdrawn and as such the petitioner filed CWJC No. 3362 of 1993 (R) before this Court. The said writ application was disposed of on 4.4.1994 after quashing the said order dated 20.10.1993 and the matter was remitted back to the Chairman of RKGB for considering the matter afresh after giving an opportunity to the representative of the petitioner and to pass a fresh speaking order.;