CAT Quashes J&K Govt Order, Directs Release Of Salary

Jammu, May 21: Central Administrative Tribunal quashed the order whereby the salary of an employee namely, Firdous Ahmad Mir was stopped by the bosses of JKUT on the basis of letter issued by a religious authority.

Firdous chalanged the impugned order dated 29.01.2020 by which it was ordered to stop salary till further orders.

After hearing both the sides, the CAT bench comprising of Judicial Member Rakesh Sagar Jain and Administrative Member Anand Mathur observed that Government servants are governed by Service Conduct Rules as well as other rules and regulations issued by the Government regarding the conduct of employees & there is no place for any outside authority such as religious heads, social heads etc to exercise control over the conduct of Government servants.

The CAT said that in the instant case, the records indicate that disciplinary action has been initiated by the office on the basis of a letter issued by a religious authority & such an action is not tenable as per Civil Services Regulations adding “the action of the respondents does not stand the scrutiny of rules and regulations governing Government employees.

It shows lack of application of mind as well as knowledge of rules and regulations”. With these observations, CAT set-aside the order and directed to release the pay of the petitioner.