Court orders against Government of India instructions on service matters-consultation…
Immediate
F.No.28027/ 1/2016-Estt.A-III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 22nd January, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Court orders against Government of India instructions on service matters-consultation with Ministry of Law and Department of Personnel and Training on question of filing appeals.
This Department intends to issue instructions on the above mentioned subject. Before the instructions in the Draft O.M. (copy enclosed) are finalized, all stakeholders, Ministries / Departments arc requested to offer their comments/views, if any, in this regard latest by 5th February, 2016 at the e-mail address mp.ramarao@nic.in.
(M.P.Rama Rao)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Tel: 23040264
Immediate
F.No.28027/1/2016-Estt.A-III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated. 22nd January, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Court orders against Government of India instructions on service matters-consultation with Ministry of Law and Department of Personnel and Training on question of filing appeals.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M.No.28027/9/99-Estt.(A) dated 1st May, 2000 on the above subject ( copy enclosed) and to say that the Department of Personnel and Training is the nodal Department that formulates policies on service matters and issues instructions from time to time. These instructions are to be followed by the Ministries/Departments of the Central Government scrupulously. All the Court cases filed by employees have to be defended on the basis of the facts available with the Administrative Ministry/Department concerned, keeping in view the instructions issued on the subject by this Department.
2. Reference is also invited to the Cabinet Secretariat’s D.0 letter No.6/1/1/94-Cab dated 25.02.1994 and the Department of Expenditure’s O.M. No.7(8)/2012-E-II(A) dated 16.05.2012 inter-alia provide that (i) a common counter reply should be filed before a Court of Law on behalf of the Union of India by the concerned administrative Department/Ministry where the petitioner is serving or has last served; and (ii) a unified stand should be adopted instead of bringing out each Department’s/Ministry’s point of view in the said reply. It further provides that it is primarily the responsibility of the Administrative Ministry to ensure that timely action is taken at each stage a Court case goes through and that a unified stand is adopted on behalf of Government of India at every such stage. In no case should the litigation be allowed to prolong to the extent that it results in contempt proceedings.
3. However, it is noticed that the Ministries/Departments are making several references to this Department seeking interpretation of the guidelines without exercising due diligence. The Ministries/Departments are advised not to make any references to this Department unless there are difficulties relating to interpretation/application of these guidelines or any relaxation in Rules/instructions is warranted to mitigate a genuine hardship faced the Government servant. While seeking advice of this Department, instructions contained in this Department’s O.M. number 43011/9/2014-Estt (D) dated 28.10.2015 may be followed.
4. The comments/advice of the Department of Personnel & Training may be sought in following cases:-
|
Sl. No. |
Orders of Court |
Action to be taken |
|
1. |
A decision/order has been quashed by Tribunal/Court on the ground that it is violative of the Rules/ Government instructions, but Government’s policy has not come in for adverse comments. |
The Administrative Department may implement the CAT Order/Judgment if it is in consonance with Government policy and the Government case has been lost due to Admn. infirmities. |
|
2. |
Where the policy of DoPT has not been quashed, but the judgment/order of Court/Tribunal has gone in favour of Respondents/Applicants. |
The Administrative Department may take a decision to file Writ Petition/Special Leave Petition (as the case may be) in consultation with Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) and Department of Legal Affairs (DOLA). |
|
3. |
Where in (2) above the Administrative Ministry is in favour of implementing the judgment. |
The Administrative Ministry may take a decision in consultation with DoPT and DOLA keeping in view its repercussions. |
|
4. |
Where the judgment has gone in favour of Applicant/Petitioner/Respondent and a scheme/guideline/OM outlining Government policy has been quashed. |
The Administrative Department may take a decision to file WP/SLP (as the case may be) in consultation with DoPT and DOLA. |
|
5. |
Where the Hon’ble Supreme Court has upheld the order/judgment of CAT/High Court which is against of Apex Court in consultation with the Government policy. |
The Administrative Department may take a decision to implement the order of Apex Court in consultation with DoPT and DOLA. |
|
6. |
CAT or a Higher Court has upheld Government’s stand |
DoPT may only be informed with all details. |
(Mukesh Chaturvedi)
Director (E)
Tele: 2309 3176
Signed copy Click here