RAMESH CHANDRA S/O LT SHYAM SINGH Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE applicants have filed this Original Application for a direction to the respondents to re-fix the first financial upgradation under the Assured Career Progression Scheme (for short ACPS') in the pay scale of Rs. 5500-9000/- (in lieu of the scale of Rs. 5000-8000/- already granted), with effect from the respective dates on completion of 12 years of service by them and with consequential benefits arising therefrom.

(2.) The brief facts of the case are that the applicants entered into government service as Punch Card Operators in the then Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, New Delhi, during 1989. Consequent upon rationalization of Electronic Data Processing Posts, the applicants were designated as Data Entry Operator (Grade `A'). Upon revision of pay scales on the recommendations of the Fifth Central Pay Commission, the applicants were initially placed in the scale of Rs. 4000-6000/-, but subsequently reduced to normal replacement scale of Rs. 3050-4590/-. Thereupon, the applicants moved the Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi, which, in its order dated 3.4.2000 in OA No. 1872/1999, directed the respondents to issue proper notice and consider whether the applicants are entitled to be placed in the replacement scale of pay of Rs. 4000-6000/- w.e.f. 01.01.1996. Consequently, the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation restored the scale of pay of Rs. 4000-6000/- to the applicants.

(3.) ON their having rendered 12 years of combined total service as Data Entry Operator (Grade-A) in the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation and as L.D.C. in the Directorate of Extension, Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Agriculture & Cooperation), the applicants represented for grant of first financial upgradation under the ACPS implemented by the Union of India vide G.I., Department of Personnel & Training, O.M. No. 35034/1/97-Estt.(D) dated 9.8.1999. The claim of the applicants was considered by the respondents and they were given the first financial upgradation in the scale of Rs. 5000-8000/-. Hence, the present Original Application.