K. Narayanan Vs.
State of Kerala [2008] INSC 1191 (21 July 2008)
Judgment
CIVIL APPELLATE
JURISDICTION CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4592 OF 2008 ( @ SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (C) NO.
1819 OF 2006 ) K. Narayanan .... Appellant (s) Versus State of Kerala ....
Respondent(s)
ORDER
1.
Leave
granted.
2.
The
appellant herein has filed a representation before the State Government that he
was denied grade promotion on completion of 12 years and thereafter 20 years of
service. As the Government rejected his claim vide order dated 27.03.1992, the
appellant filed a writ petition before the High Court. The learned Single Judge
of the High Court, by judgment dated 07.11.1997, directed the authorities to
consider the application of the appellant and pass appropriate orders. As per
the direction of the High Court, the State Government passed an order
(Annexure-P4) which reads as follows:- "In the circumstances explained
above and in view of the observation contained in the judgment, Government is
pleased to grant the benefit of higher grade to Shri K. Narayanan, Retd. HAS
(Hindi), K.V.R. High School, Shoranur with effect from 01.07.1968 on completion
of 12 years service and senior grade with effect from 01.07.1976 on completion
of 20 years of service without back arrears and for the purpose of pensionary
benefit only."
3.
Being
aggrieved by the non-payment of back arrears, the appellant filed another writ
petition before the High Court. The learned Single Judge of the High Court was
pleased to dismiss the same and the Division Bench also declined to interfere
with the same as there was delay in making the claim.
4.
Heard
both sides.
5.
The
appellant is a retired Government servant and he has all along been seeking for
the difference in salary payable to him, consequent on his grade promotion
which was granted to him retrospectively and that too for a short period. The
promotion was denied to him not due to his fault and we do not think that the
Government was justified in denying the claim to the appellant. In the
circumstances, we set aside the judgment of the Single Judge and Division Bench
and direct that the Government may pass appropriate orders on the appellant's
back arrears and settle the same at the earliest at least within a period of
three months.
6.
We
make it clear that no interest is payable to the appellant.
7.
The
appeal is allowed accordingly. No costs.
......................................CJI.
(K.G. BALAKRISHNAN)
.........................................J.
(LOKESHWAR SINGH PANTA)
..........................................J.
(P. SATHASIVAM)
NEW
DELHI;
21ST
JULY, 2008.
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