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CENTRALADMINISTRATIVETRIBUNAL
PRINCIPALBENCH

OA1165/2011

with
OA2165/2011
And
OA246/2012

NewDelhithisthe21stdayofApril,2015
Hon
bleMr.P.K.Basu,Member(A)
Hon
bleMr.RajVirSharma,Member(J)
OA1165/2011
1.PratapNarayan
ExecutiveDirector(Retired)
FICC,Min.ofFertilizers
R/oC47,FriendsColonyEast
NewDelhi110065
2.AmbrishAgarwal
GeneralManager(Retd).DOT
R/o184NewGandhiNagar
Ghaziabad201001
3.A.Rajagopalan
Dy.DG(Retd.),GSI
R/oA17,IndiradeviApts.,
18,GopalaKrishnaStreet,
T.Nagar,Chennai600017
4.R.S.Bindra
GeneralManager(Retd.),
OrdnanceFactory
R/oHouseNo.2595,Sector61,
S.A.S.Nagar,
Chandigarh160062
5.C.A.Krishnamurthi
ControllerofStores(Retd.),
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RailWheelFactory
R/oB1/23,4BCrossRoad,
NewTown,Yelahanka,
Bangalore560106
6.M.P.Singhal
ChiefEngineerBridges(Retd.),
NorthernRailway
R/oD7411,VasantKunj,
NewDelhi110070
7.K.K.Taneja
Dy.DirectorGeneral(TD)
R/oG238,SaritaVihar
NewDelhi110076
8.P.S.Gopalakrishnan
ScientistG,NAL
R/o964,3rdCross,IMain
HAL,3rdStage,
Bangalore560075
9.B.R.Kulkarni
ChiefEngineer(Retd.),
CentralRailway
R/oF6/2,Sector3,
CBDBelapur,
NaviMumbai400614
10.B.M.Misra
ScientificOfficer(Retd.),DAE
R/o501,EmeraldHeights,
32UnionPark,Chembur
11.S.C.Pandian
ChiefEngineer(Retd.),
CentralRailway
R/o403IndraprasthaTower,
Plots1112,Sector29
Vashi,NaviMumbai400703
12.L.D.Prabhakar
Chairman,RRB(Retd.),
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R/o183,WestParkRoad,
MalleswaramWest,
Bangalore560055
13.M.R.Narsimchar
R/o92,9thCrossRoad,
RMVExtension,
Bangalore560080
14.D.Nagarajan
ChiefRollingStockEngineer,
SouthernRailway
R/o102365,RoyalVilla301,
WestMarcoPally,
Secunderabad500026
15.S.KasyAiyer
ChiefRollingStockEngineer,SouthernRailway
R/oNo.5,FourthCrossStreet,
JayaramnagarTeachersColony,
Thiruvanmiyur,
Chennai600041
16.N.Sundararajan
Stenographer(Retd),DAE
R/oD7/6,KAPSTownship,
P.O.Anumala394651,
TapiDistt.,Gujarat
17.D.N.Seshagiri
Director(Retd),GSI
R/o4/47,3rdMainRoad,
SwaminathaNagar,
Kottivakam,
Chennai600041
18.S.K.Gupta
Addl.CSTE(Retd),CentralRailway
R/o2,ShantiApts.,
810WrightTown,
Jabalpur482002
19.V.Rengamannar
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Director(Retd),GSI
R/o5/61,IllatharStreet
Viswanathperi,Sivagiri
Tirunelveli627763
20.P.G.Narayanan
SeniorProfessor(Retd)IRISET
R/o23HeritageHomes,Thaltej
Ahmedabad380059
21.SiddheswarBanerjee
Director,SG,(Retd),GSI
R/oPreyasiApartments,
331,GariaStationRoad,
Kolkata700084
22.J.S.Chhabra
GeneralManagar(Retd),DAE
R/o216,JaiApartments,
PlotNo.35,Sector9
Rohini,Delhi110085
23.AbhijitPurkayastha
Dy.DG(Retd),OrdnanceFactoryBoard
R/oB17/262,KendriyaVihar,
VIPRoad,
Kolkata700052
24.A.A.Sahay
ChiefElectricalProjectEngineer(Retd),
CentralRailway,
R/oB1/1291,VasantKunj,
NewDelhi110070
25.G.S.Ahluwalia
Dy.DirectorGeneral(Retd),
OrdnanceFactoryBoard,
R/oH.No.344,Sector44A,
Chandigarh
26.G.Balasubrahmanyam
Director(Retd),CentralGroundWaterBoard
R/oFlatB2,BalajiTowers
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74,10thAvenue,AshokNagar,
Chennai
27.R.Asoka,
ChiefProjectManager(Retd.),RailWheelFactory
R/o143,12thMain,23rdCross
3rdBlockEast,Jaynagar,
Bangalore560011
28.M.S.Bhat,
ControllerofStores(Retd),N.F.Railway
R/o
SHRILA
,MARIL,
PUTTUR574202
29.S.V.RamanaRao
Scientist(Retd.),DepartmentofSpace,
R/oPlotNo.6,SitaramNagar,
SikhVillage,
Secunderabad500009

Applicants

(ThroughShriS.K.Malik,Advocate)
Versus

UnionofIndiathrough
1.

Secretary,
MinistryofPersonnel,P.G.&Pensions,
Deptt.ofPensions&PensionersWelfare
LokNayakBhawan,
NewDelhi110003

2.
Secretary
Deptt.ofExpenditure

MinistryofFinance,

CentralSecretariat

NorthBlock,NewDelhi110001

Respondents

(ThroughSh.RajeshKatyalandSh.D.S.Mahendru,Advocates)

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OA2165/2011
1.

K.R.Srinivasan(Dr.)
FlatNo.II,FloorIII
SwathiCourt
43,VijayaRaghwanRoad
T.Nagar,Chennai600017

2.

JosyaluVenkatSastry
FlatNo.510,
GharunaSeshasayeeAppts.,
VijaypuriColony,Tarnaka,
Hyderabad(A.P.)500017

3.

N.Venkateshwarlu
A203,ShardaNivas
6thMain,15thCross
IndiraNagarII
Bangalore560038

4.

KVRChaitanyaSwamy
13606,SandMountainLane
Houston,TX,7704(USA)

5.

MVRamarao
11116,PrakashamStreet
Ramaraopeth,Kakinada533004

6.

V.VeerendraKumar
VadavathiHouse
NearoldRoad
P.O.Kuthuparamba
Distt.Kannaur,Kerala670643

7.

MadhumeetCheema(Mrs.)
J10/28
DLF,CityII
Gurgaon(Haryana)
122002
.Applicants

(ThroughShriS.K.Malik,Advocate)
VERSUS
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UnionofIndiathrough
1.

Secretary,
MinistryofPersonnel,P.G.&Pensions,
Deptt.ofPensions&PensionersWelfare
LokNayakBhawan,
NewDelhi110003

2.
Secretary
Deptt.ofExpenditure

MinistryofFinance,

CentralSecretariat

NorthBlock,NewDelhi110001

Respondents

(ThroughSh.RajeshKatyalandSh.D.S.Mahendru,Advocates)

OA247/2012
1.

S.B.Roy
Retd.GroupGeneralManager,CONCOR
(ondeputationfromIndianRailways)
R/o1CRISOfficersFlats
DelhiFlyingClubRoad
NewDelhi110003

2.
M.Radhakrishna

Retd.ChiefElectricalEngineer,IndianRailways

R/oFlatSF1,`AlpineCourt
17/1,7thBMainRoad
JakkasandraBlock,Koramangala
Bangalore560034
3.

RahulJha
Retd.GroupGeneralManager,RITES
(ondeputationfromIndianRailways)
R/o599PadamBahadurMalBlock
AsiadVillage,NewDelhi110049

4.

SanjayMisra
Retd.ExecutiveDirector,RailwayBoard

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R/oTower6,Flat601
SohnaRoad,Gurgaon122018

5.

Dr.SeshadriKannan
Retd.ScientificOfficer,BARC
R/o38/1BDeviApts.
SouthMadaStreet
Thiruvanmiyur,
Chennai600041

6.

M.R.Laljani
Retd.ExecutiveDirector,RailwayBoard
R/oD164,AnandVihar
Delhi110092

7.

8.

P.N.Kalra
Retd.ExecutiveDirector,RailwayBoard
R/oB9,AnandVihar
Delhi110092

9.

M.H.Manwani
Retd.ChiefEngineer,IndianRailways
R/o6VirgoVille,SherlyRajanRoad,
Bandra(West),
Mumbai400050

10.

R.K.Bansal
Retd.ExecutiveDirector,RailwayBoard
R/oA1/F28,DDAFlats
PanchsheelEnclave,
NewDelhi110017

11.

AtulSud
Retd.ExecutiveDirector,RailwayBoard
R/oFlatNo.42B,PocketC
SiddharthExtension
NewDelhi110014

V.K.Sharma
Retd.ConservatorofForests
R/oA251,MeeraBagh,
Delhi110087

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12.

Y.B.Sharma
Retd.GroupGeneralManager,RITES
(ondeputationfromIndianRailways)
R/o38,RohitApartments,
Sector10,Plot30
Dwarka,NewDelhi110075

13.

UdayShankarJha
Retd.ExecutiveDirector,RailwayBoard
R/o902,ChhadvaResidency,Motibagh
BehindMaitriPark,STStand
Chembur,Mumbai400071

14.

DineshKumarShukla,
Retd.ExecutiveDirector,IFFCO
(ondeputationfromIndianRailways)
R/oA201,IRWOClassicApartments
Sector57,Gurgaon122003

15.
SubhashChandraSaxena

Retd.GeneralManager,RITES
(ondeputationfromIndianRailways)

R/o3/1AravaliViewRailVihar,
Sector56,Gurgaon122003
16.

SumitSinha
Retd.ADRM,EasternRailway,
R/o646,AsianGamesVillage,
NewDelhi110049

17.

BhushanKumarMakhija
Retd.ChiefEngineer,CentralRailway,
R/oE220,PalamVihar,
Gurgaon122017

.Applicants

(ThroughShriS.K.Malik,Advocate)
Versus
UnionofIndiathrough
1.

Secretary,
MinistryofPersonnel,P.G.&Pensions,

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Deptt.ofPensions&PensionersWelfare

LokNayakBhawan,
NewDelhi110003
2.
Secretary
Deptt.ofExpenditure

MinistryofFinance,

CentralSecretariat

NorthBlock,NewDelhi110001

Respondents

(ThroughSh.RajeshKatyalandSh.D.S.Mahendru,Advocates)

ORDER

Mr.P.K.Basu,Member(A)

OA1165/2011,OA2165/2011andOA247/2012,alldealwiththesameissueand,therefore,arebeingdisposedoffthrough
thiscommonorder.
2.
TheprayeroftheapplicantsarisesfromaclarificationissuedbytheDepartmentofPensionandPensioners
Welfaredated
3.10.2008,inspecificchallengingthefollowingprovision:

hepensionwillbereducedprorata,wherethepensionerhaslessthanthemaximumrequiredserviceforfullpensionasperrule
T
49oftheCCS(Pension)Rules,1972asapplicableon01.01.2006andinnocaseitwillbelessthanRs.3500/p.m.

3.
ThebackgroundofthecaseisthataftertheVIPayCommissionsubmitteditsreport,thegovernmentissuedOMdated
1.09.2008relatingtorevisionofpensionofpre2006pensioners/familypensionersetc.Para4.2oftheOMprovidesasfollows:
.2Thefixationofpensionwillbesubjecttotheprovisionthattherevisedpension,innocase,shallbelowerthanfifty
4
percentoftheminimumofthepayinthepaybandplusthegradepaycorrespondingtotheprerevisedpayscalefromwhichthe
pensionerhadretired.InthecaseofHAG+andabovescales,thiswillbefiftypercentoftheminimumoftherevisedpayscale.

4.
Thereafter,therespondentsissuedtheabovementionedOMdated3.10.2008inwhichtheclarificationwasissuedthat
pensionwillbereducedproratawherethepensionerhadlessthanthemaximumrequiredserviceforfullpensionof33years.The
DepartmentofPensionandPensioners
Welfarevideresolutiondated29.08.2008introducedtherevisedpensionstructurewitheffect
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from1.01.2006.Inthis,therecommendationofthePayCommissionandthedecisionofthegovernmentwereelaborated.The
paragraphsrelevanttothiscasearequotedbelow:

S.No.
Recommendation
DecisionofGovernment
2.
Linkageoffullpensionwith33yearsofqualifyingserviceshouldbedispensedwith.Onceanemployeerenderstheminimum
pensionableserviceof20years,pensionshouldbepaidat50%oftheaverageemolumentsreceivedduringthepast10monthsorthe
paylastdrawn,whicheverismorebeneficialtotheretiringemployee.Simultaneously,theextantbenefitofaddingyearsof
qualifyingserviceforpurposesofcomputingpension/relatedbenefitsshouldbewithdrawnasitwouldnolongerberelevant
(5.1.33)
Accepted
3.
Therecommendationregardingpaymentoffullpensiononcompletionof20yearsofqualifyingservicewilltakeeffectonly
prospectivelyforallGovernmentemployeesotherthanPBORsinDefenceForcesfromthedateitisacceptedbytheGovernment
(6.5.3.)
Accepted
12.
Allpastpensionersshouldbeallowedfitmentbenefitequalto40%ofthepensionexcludingtheeffectofmergerof50%dearness
allowance/dearnessreliefaspension(inrespectofpensionersretiringonorafter1/4/2004)anddearnesspension(forother
pensioners)respectively.Theincreasewillbeallowedbysubsumingtheeffectofconversionof50%ofdearnessrelief/dearness
allowanceasdearnesspension/dearnesspay.Consequently,dearnessreliefattherateof74%onpension(excludingtheeffectof
merger)hasbeentakenforthepurposesofcomputingrevisedpensionason1/1/2006.Thisisconsistentwiththefitmentbenefit
beingallowedincaseoftheexistingemployees.Thefixationofpensionwillbesubjecttotheprovisionthattherevisedpension,
innocase,shallbelowerthanfiftypercentofthesumoftheminimumofthepayinthepaybandandthegradepaythereon
correspondingtotheprerevisedpayscalefromwhichthepensionerhadretired.(5.1.47).
Acceptedwiththemodificationthatfixationofpensionshallbebasedonamultiplicationfactorof1.86,i.e.basicpension+
DearnessPension(whereverapplicable)+dearnessreliefof24%ason1.1.2006,insteadof1.74.
TherespondentsfurtherissuedanOMdated19.03.2010,whichisreproducedbelow:
heundersignedisdirectedtosaythatordersforrevisionofpension/familypensionofpre2006pensionerswereissuedvidethis
T
Department
sOMofevennumberdated01.09.2008.Para4.1ofthatOMlaysdownthemannerinwhichthepension/familypensionof
pre2006pensionersistobeconsolidatedw.e.f.1.1.2006.Inaccordancewiththeseinstructions,afitmentweightage@40%ofthe
pre2006basicpension/familypension(excludingthemergeddearnessreliefof50%)istobegivenforrevisionofthepensionof
pre2006pensioners/familypensioners.
2.
Para4.2oftheaforesaidOMfurtherprovidesthatfixationofpensionwillbesubjecttotheprovisionthattherevised
pension,innocase,shallbelowerthanfiftypercentoftheminimumofthepayinthepaybandplusthegradepaycorresponding
totheprerevisedpayscalefromwhichthepensionerhadretired.InthecaseofHAG+andabovescales,thiswillbefiftypercent
oftheminimumoftherevisedpayscale.ItwasclarifiedintheOMdated3.10.2008thatthepensioncalculatedat50%ofthe
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minimumofpayinthepaybandplusgradepaywouldbecalculatedattheminimumofthepayinthepayband(irrespectiveofthe
prerevisedscaleofpay)plusthegradepaycorrespondingtotheprerevisedpayscale.Thepensionwillbereducedprorata,
wherethepensionerhadlessthanthemaximumrequiredserviceforfullpensionasperrule49oftheCCS(Pension)Rules,1972as
applicablebefore1.1.2006andinnocaseitwillbelessthanRs.3500/p.m.Thefixationoffamilypensionwillbesubjecttothe
provisionthattherevisedfamilypension,innocase,shallbelowerthanthirtypercentofthesumoftheminimumofthepayin
thepaybandandthegradepaythereoncorrespondingtotheprerevisedpayscalefromwhichthepensionerhadretired.ATable
indicatingtherevisedpensionbasedonrevisedpaybandsandgradepaywasalsoannexedwiththisDepartment
sOMdated14.10.2008.
3.
Alargenumberofrepresentations/referenceswerereceivedintheDepartmentinregardtotheprovisionsofpara4.2ofthe
OMdated1.9.2008anditwasclarifiedinthisDepartment
sOMofevennumberdated11.2.2009thattheinstructions/clarifications
issuedinthisregardwereinconsonancewiththedecisionoftheGovernmentontherecommendationsoftheSixthCentralPay
Commissionandnochangewasrequiredtobemadeinthisrespect.
4.
Inspiteoftheaboveclarifications,representationsarestillbeingreceivedfrompre2006pensioners(includingthose
whoretiredfromtheprerevisedS29payscalei.e.Rs.1840022400)forhigherrevisedpensionintermsofpara4.2oftheOM
dated1.9.2008.Representationshavealsobeenreceiveddemandingahigherfitmentweightagetothepre2006pensionersinrevision
ofpensionintermsofPara4.1ofthesaidOM.
5.
TheserepresentationshavebeenexaminedinconsultationwithMinistryofFinance.Itisreiteratedthatordersrelatingto
revisionofpensionofpre2006pensioners/familypensionershavebeencorrectlyissuedaspertherecommendationsoftheSixth
CentralPayCommissionandnochangeisrequiredtobemadeinthisrespect.
6.

Allreferences/representationsreceivedinthisDepartmentontheaboveissuesstanddisposedoffaccordingly.

5.
TheaboveOMbasicallyreiteratedtheOMdated3.10.2008namelythattherewillbeproratareduction.Inallthethree
OAs,theapplicantshavechallengedtheOMdated3.10.2008claimingthatitisviolativeofthelawlaiddownbytheHon
bleSupreme
CourtinD.S.NakaraVs.UnionofIndia,1983SCC(L&S)145.Theprayermadeisthattheirpensionshouldbefixedin
accordancewithpara4.2quotedaboveensuringparitybetweenpensionerswhohaveretiredpre1.01.2006andpost1.01.2006.The
questionbeforeusis,therefore,whetherthedateofretirementisarelevantconsiderationforeligibilitywhenarevisedformula
forcomputationofpensionisusheredinandmadeeffectivefromaspecifieddate.Thiswaspreciselythepointwhichwasbefore
theHon
bleSupremeCourtinD.S.Nakara(supra).ThequestionthatwasraisedbytheirLordshipsoftheHon
bleSupremeCourtin
para2ofthejudgmentreadsasfollows:
.DopensionersentitledtoreceivesuperannuationorretiringpensionunderCentralCivilServices(Pension)Rules,1972('1972
2
Rules'forshort)formaclassasawhole'?Isthedateofretirementarelevantconsiderationforeligibilitywhenarevised
formulaforcomputationofpensionisusheredinandmadeeffectivefromaspecifieddate?Woulddifferentialtreatmentto
pensionersrelatedtothedateofretirementquatherevisedformulaforcomputationofpensionattractArticle14ofthe
ConstitutionandtheelementofdiscriminationliabletobedeclaredunconstitutionalasbeingviolativeofArticle14?Theseand
therelatedquestionsdebatedinthisgroupofpetitionscallforananswerinthebackdropofawelfareStateandbearinginmind
thatpensionisasocioeconomicjusticemeasureprovidingreliefwhenadvancingagegraduallybutirrevocablyimpairscapacityto
standonone'sownfeet.

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andtheHon
bleSupremeCourtansweredthequestionsasfollows:

1)
(
Pensionisneitherabountynotamatterofgracedependinguponthesweetwilloftheemployer,noranexgratiapayment.
Itisapaymentforthepastservicerendered.Itisasocialwelfaremeasurerenderingsocioeconomicjusticetothosewhointhe
heydayoftheirlifeceaselesslytoiledfortheemployeronanassurancethatintheiroldagetheywouldnotbeleftinlurch.
PensionasaretirementbenefitisinconsonancewithandfurtheranceofthegoalsoftheConstitution.Themostpracticalraison
d
etreforpensionistheinabilitytoprovideforoneselfduetooldage.Itcreatesavestedrightandisgovernedbythe
statutoryrulessuchastheCentralCivilServices(Pension)RuleswhichareenactedinexerciseofpowerconferredbyArticle309
and148(5)oftheConstitution.
xxxx

xxxx

xxxx

InthepresentcaseArticle14iswhollyviolatedinasmuchasthepensionrulesbeingstatutoryincharacter,theamendedrules,
sincethespecifieddate,accorddifferentialanddiscriminatorytreatmenttoequalsinthematterofcommutationofpension.It
wouldhaveatraumaticeffectonthosewhoretiredjustbeforethatdate.Thisdivisionwhichclassifiedpensionersintotwo
classesisartificialandarbitrary,isnotbasedonanyrationalprincipleandwhateverprinciple,iftherebeany,hasnotonly
nonexustotheobjectssoughttobeachievedbyliberalizingthepensionrules,butiscounterproductiveandrunscountertothe
wholegamutofthepensionscheme.Further,thereisnotasingleacceptableorpersuasivereasonforthisdivision.Therefore,
theclassificationdoesnotstandthetestofArticle14.
xxxx

xxxx

xxxx

Dateofretirementcannotformavalidcriterionforclassification,forifthatbethecriterionthosewhoretireattheendof
everymonthshallformaclassbythemselves.Thisistoomicroscopicaclassificationtobeupheldforanyvalidpurpose.
xxxx

xxxx

xxxx

ThebasicprinciplewhichinformsbothArticles14and16isequalityandinhibitionagainstdiscrimination.Article14strikesat
arbitrarinessbecauseanyactionthatisarbitrarymustnecessarilyinvolvenegationofequality.Article14forbidsclass
legislationbutpermitsreasonableclassificationforthepurposeoflegislationwhichclassificationmustsatisfythetwintests
ofclassificationbeingfoundedonanintelligibledifferentiawhichdistinguishespersonsorthingsthataregroupedtogether
fromthosethatareleftoutofthegroupandthatdifferentiamusthavearationalnexustotheobjectsoughttobeachievedby
thestatuteinquestion.

6.
LearnedcounselfortheapplicantsalsocitedV.KasturiVs.ManagingDirector,StateBankofIndia,Bombayandanother,
(1998)8SCC30inwhichtheHon
bleSupremeCourtheldasfollows:
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fthepersonretiringiseligibleforpensionatthetimeofhisretirementandifhesurvivestillthetimeofsubsequent
I
amendmentoftherelevantpensionscheme,hewouldbecomeeligibletogetenhancedpensionorwouldbecomeeligibletogetmore
pensionasperthenewformulaofcomputationofpension.Hewouldbeentitledtogetthebenefitoftheamendedpensionprovision
fromthedateofsuchorderashewouldbeamemberoftheverysameclassofpensionerswhentheadditionalbenefitisbeing
conferredonallofthem.Insuchasituation,theadditionalbenefitavailabletothesameclassofpensionerscannotbedenied
tohimonthegroundthathehadretiredpriortothedateonwhichtheaforesaidadditionalbenefitwasconferred.

Similarly,thelearnedcounselfortheapplicantsalsoreliedonthejudgmentoftheHon
bleSupremeCourtinT.S.ThiruvengadamVs.
SecretarytoGovernmentofIndia,MinistryofFinance,DepartmentofExpenditure,NewDelhiandothers,(1993)2SCC174inwhich
itwasheldasfollows:

TheobjectofbringingintoexistencetherevisedtermsandconditionsinthememorandumdatedJune16,1967wastoprotectthe

pensionarybenefitswhichtheCentralGovernmentservantshadearnedbeforetheirabsorptionintothepublicundertakings.
Restrictingtheapplicabilityoftherevisedmemorandumonlytothosewhoareabsorbedafterthecomingintoforceofthesaid
memorandum,wouldbedefeatingtheveryobjectandpurposeoftherevisedmemorandumandcontrarytofairplayandjustice.

Thereisnosubstanceinthecontentionthattherevisedbenefitsbeingnewitcouldonlybeprospectiveinoperationandcannotbe
extendedtoemployeeswhowereabsorbedearlier.ThememorandumdatedJune16,1967isprospectivewhichonlymeansthatthe
benefitsthereincanbeclaimedonlyafterJune16,1967.Thememorandum,however,takesintoconsiderationthepasteventthatis
theperiodofserviceundertheCentralGovernmentforthepurposesofgivingproratapension.Whoeverhasrenderedpensionable
servicepriortocomingintoforceofthememorandumwouldbeentitledtoclaimthebenefitsunderthesaidmemorandum.Restricting
thebenefitsonlytothosewhowereabsorbedinpublicundertakingsafterJune16,1967isarbitraryandhitbyArticle14&16.
TheappellantwaspermittedtobeabsorbedintheCentralGovernmentpublicundertakinginpublicinterest.Theappellant,assuch,
shallbedeemedtohaveretiredfromGovernmentservicefromthedateofhisabsorptionandiseligibletoreceivetheretirement
benefits.ThoughtheretirementbenefitsenvisagedunderRule37aretobedeterminedinaccordancewiththeGovernmentordersbut
theplainlanguageoftheruledoesnotpermitanydiscriminationwhilegrantingtheretirementbenefits.

Appealallowed.

7.
ThisTribunal(fullBench)hadalsoexaminedasimilarissueinOA937/2010decidedalongwithOA2101/2010.Inthose
cases,theprayermadewastoremovediscriminationbetweenpre2006andpost2006retireesasregardstheirpension,whowerein
thepayscaleS30i.e.Rs.2240052524500.ThematterwasexaminedindepthconsideringthejudgmentsoftheHon
bleSupremeCourt
inD.S.Nakara(supra),UnionofIndiaVs.S.P.S.Vains,(2008)9SCC125,UnionofIndiaVs.P.N.Menon,JT1994(3)SC26,State
ofPunjabandothersVs.AmarNathGoyalandothers,2005SCC(L&S)910,UnionofIndiaVs.S.R.Dhingraandothers,(2008)2SCC
229,GovernmentofAndhraPradeshandors.Vs.N.Subbarayuduandothers,2008(4)SLR136andBankofIndiaandanotherVs.K.
Mohandasandothers,2009(5)SCC313.TheOAswereallowedvideorderdated20.11.2014andtheTribunalgavethefollowing
directions:
edirecttherespondentstoconsidertherevisedpayoftheapplicantscorrespondingtothepayatwhichtheconcernedpensioner
W
hadinfactretired,insteadofconsideringtheminimumofthesaidpayscale,therebydeterminingpension/familypensiontopre
2006retirees.

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8.
Thelearnedcounselfortherespondentshasfileddetailedreplyprimarilyexplaininghowpensionofpre2006andpost2006
retireeshastobefixed.Itisreiteratedthatthegovernmenthadacceptedtherecommendationregardingpaymentoffullpension
oncompletionoftwentyyears
service,prospectively.Therefore,thiscannotbegivenretrospectiveeffectnow.Itisfurther
statedthatintheorderdated6.03.2012(AnnexureA7),disposingoftheOAsNo.937/2010and2101/2010,thisTribunal(Full
Bench)madethefollowingobservations/directionsinregardtotheprayeroftheapplicantsseekingcompleteparitywithpost2006
retirees:

..OneofthereliefssoughtforbytheapplicantsinthoseOAsisthatpre2006pensionersmaybeallowedatotalparitywithpost
1.1.2006pensionersbynotionallyrevisingtheirpayason1.1.2006andthenfixingpensionat50%ofthatnotionalpay.
3.
Attheoutset,itmaybestatedherethattheissueregardingadmissibilityofpension/familypensiontothepre1.1.2006
retireeofficersbelongingtoS29scaleandalsowhetherthe2006pensionersareentitledtothepension/familypensionatpar
withpost2006retireeofficershasbeenconsideredanddecidedbytheFullBenchoftheTribunalinCentralGovernmentSAG(S29)
Pensioners
AssociationandanotherVsUnionofIndiaandanother(OA655/2010withconnectedmatters)decidedon1.11.2011after
takingintoconsiderationthedecisionsofApexCourtinD.S.NakaraVs.S.P.S.Vains(2008)9SCC125)andthesaidreliefhasbeen
rejected.TheFullBenchofthisTribunalintheaforesaidjudgmenthasheldthatpre2006retireescannotclaimbenefitatpar
withpost2006retirees,whoaregovernedbytheseparatesetofschemeandalsothatthejudgmentinthecaseofS.P.S.Vains
(supra)wasrenderedinthedifferentfactsandcircumstancesofthecaseandrelatestotheArmypersonnelandbasedonthe
premiseof
onerankonepension
.However,regardingadmissibilityofpensionbasedonmodifiedparity,asrecommendedbythePay
Commissionandacceptedbyresolutiondated29.8.2008,directionwasgiventotherespondentstorefixthepensionandpaythe
arrearstoallpre2006retireesbelongingtoS29scaleofpay,withinaperiodofthreemonthsfromthedateofreceiptofacopy
oftheorder.Thus,theaforesaidissuestandsdecidedofinthelightofthereasoninggivenbytheFullBenchofthisTribunal
forparityofreasoninggiventherein.
9.
Therespondentsfurtherarguethatinitsorderdated1.11.2011intheOANo.655/2010referredtointheaforesaidorder
dated6.3.2012intheOAsNo.937/2010and2101/2010,thisTribunal(fullbench)decidedthatthechallengemadebytheapplicants
baseduponthejudgmentinD.S.Nakarathatpre2006retireesshouldbeextendedthesamepensionarybenefitsasthatofpost2006
retireescannotbeaccepted.Itisstatedthatinpara9ofthejudgment,thisTribunalalsorejectedtheprayerforgrantoffull
pensiononcompletionof20yearsofqualifyingserviceatparwithpost2006retireesandobservedthatthepre2006retirees
cannotclaimbenefitatparwithpost2006retirees,whoaregovernedbytheseparatesetofscheme.
10.
ItisfurtheraddedonbehalfoftherespondentsthattheapplicantsintheabovementionedOAsNo.937/2010and2101/2010
filedwritpetitionsbeingWPNo.4572/2012andWP7342/2012intheHighCourtofDelhi.Hon
bleHighCourtofDelhiinitsorder
dated19.8.2013(AnnexureA9)passedthefollowingorder:
.Keepinginviewtheaforesaidfacts,noneofwhicharedisputedbylearnedcounselfortherespondents,withconsentoflearned
8
counselforthepartieswesetasidetheimpugneddecision(s)datedMarch06,2012andsimultaneouslywerestoreOANo.937/2010and
OANo.2101/2010forfreshadjudicationonmeritsbytheTribunalontheclaimofthepetitionersforfullparity.Thedecision
shallberenderedaftergivingfullopportunityofhearingtothepetitionersandthedecisiondatedNovember01,2011passedby
theTribunalinthecaseofS29scaleretireesshallnotbetreatedasbindinguponitbytheTribunalforthereasonsonthe
subjectoffullparitythesaiddecisionwaspronouncednotwithstandingsaidretireesgivinguptheclaimforfullparity.

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ThusHon
bleHighCourtremandedbacktheOANo.937/2010andOANo.No.2101/2010forfreshadjudicationonmeritsbythisHon
ble
Tribunalontheclaimofthepetitionersfor
fullparity
.Asstatedearlier,theseOAswereaccordinglyheardbythisTribunal
(FullBench)andorderdated20.11.2014passed.
11.
WehavegonethroughvariousjudgmentsoftheHon
bleSupremeCourtinvariouscasesandalsothisTribunal
sorderdated
20.11.2014inOA937/2010withOA2101/2010.ThelawhasbynowbeenwellsettledbytheHon
bleSupremeCourtthatthedateof
retirementcannotformavalidcriterionforclassification.ItisheldbytheirLordshipsthatanyclarificationhastobe
foundedonanintelligibledifferentiawhichdistinguishespersonsorthingsthataregroupedtogetherfromthosethatareleftout
ofthegroupandthatdifferentiamusthavearationalnexustotheobjectsoughttobeachievedbythestatuteinquestion.
13.InviewofthejudgmentsoftheHon
bleSupremeCourt
inD.S.Nakara(supra),V.Kasturi(supra),T.S.Thiruvengadam(supra)andorderoftheFullBenchoftheTribunalinOA937/2010
withOA2101/2010dated20.11.2014,weareoftheopinionthattheprayerintheOAsisfullyjustified.We,therefore,quashand
setasidetheimpugnedordersdated3.10.2008and19.03.2010beingviolativeoflawlaiddownbytheHon
bleSupremeCourtand
directtherespondentsthatthequalifyingserviceforearningfullpensionwillbetreatedastwentyyearsalsoforthosewho
retiredfromtheCentralGovernmentserviceonorbefore31.12.2005andwerealiveonthatday.Therespondentsarealsodirected
tomodify/amendallrelevantgovernmentorders/letters/notificationsinaccordancewiththeabovedecision.Itismadeclear
thatthisparityofpensionbetweenpreandpost1.01.2006pensioners(onthequestionofeligibilityofminimumpensionable
serviceoftwentyyears)wouldapplybothasregardspensionandfamilypension.Therespondentsaregrantedthreemonths
time
fromthedateofreceiptofthisorderforimplementationofdirectionscontainedinthisorder.
(RajVirSharma)
Member(J)

(P.K.Basu)

Member(A)

/dkm/

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