No Valid Reason to Grant Higher Pay Scale Only to a Specific Category: Supreme Court Upholds Recovery of Pay Scale Benefits from Ayurvedic and Unani Medical Officers
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India dismissed appeals challenging the withdrawal of special pay scale benefits granted to Ayurvedic and Unani Medical Officers in the State of Uttarakhand. The Court, led by Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Pankaj Mithal, upheld the decision for recovery of these benefits from officers who had superannuated.
The crux of the judgment revolved around the legality of various government orders that initially extended enhanced pay scale benefits to a particular group of government employees. The decision, dated January 10, 2024, critically examined the administrative and policy decisions taken by different government departments over the years concerning the pay scales of State Ayurvedic and Unani Medical Service Cadre.
In their observation, the apex court stated, “We find no error in the view taken by the State Government as there was no valid reason to grant a higher pay scale only to the Ayurvedic and Unani Medical Officers after continuous satisfactory service of 8 years, whereas, for all other Government servants, satisfactory continuous service of 10 years was required.” This statement became a pivotal point in the Court’s decision to uphold the State Government’s action of recovery.
The case was closely watched due to its implications on government service regulations and the treatment of different employee cadres within the state machinery. The Supreme Court’s decision sends a clear message on the uniform application of government policies and the need for equitable treatment across different sectors of the government workforce.
The judgment also referenced the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000, specifically Section 86, and various other government orders, highlighting the intricate legal framework governing such administrative decisions.
Date of Decision: 10th January 2024
Dr. Balbir Singh Bhandari VS The State of Uttarakhand & Ors.
