Removed from service for un authorised absence from duites - claim for pension etc., = can be considered as per rule 65(1) of Railway services rules =
A perusal of Rule 65(1) of the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993 indicates that the competent authority is empowered to sanction compassionate allowance not exceeding 2/3rd of pension or gratuity or both, in deserving cases. It also indicates that the discretionary power is conferred upon the competent authority to sanction compassionate allowance while passing an order of dismissal or removal. Further, as per proceedings, dated 04.11.2005, issued by the Government of India in File No.F(E)III/2003/PN1/5, if entitlement of compassionate allowance is not considered while passing an order of removal or dismissal, the same can be considered at a later point of time. Whether the petitioner is entitled to compassionate allowance or not is a matter which is required to be considered by the respondents as per the Rules. It is to be noticed that the petitioner submitted representation to the fourth respondent on 13.07.2012, seeking to sanction compassionate allowance.
In view of pendency of such representation of the petitioner and further, as it is clarified by the Government of India in File No.F(E)III/2003/PN1/5, dated 04.11.2008, that compassionate allowance also can be sanctioned on an application filed by the railway servant subsequent to the passing of an order of removal/dismissal, we deem it appropriate to direct the fourth respondent to consider representation, dated 13.07.2012, submitted by the petitioner for grant of compassionate allowance, and communicate the decision taken thereon to him, as expeditiously as possible, preferably, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that such consideration shall be in accordance with the Rules and other Circular instructions, if any issued on the said aspect.
| WP 11344 / 2013 | WPSR 60845 / 2013 |
|
THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE R.SUBHASH REDDY
and
THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE A.V.SESHA SAI
WRIT PETITION No.11344 of 2013
ORDER: (per RSR, J)
Petitioner was initially, recruited as Ticket Collector in the services of South Central Railway, Secunderabad, in 1976. He was promoted as Travelling Ticket Examiner in 1978. Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him on the allegation of unauthorized absence and the disciplinary authority issued Memo bearing No.C/C/568/P/449/91, dated 11.10.1993, removing him from service. The said Memo was confirmed by the appellate authority vide order, dated 08.11.1995. The said order of the appellate authority and also the memo issued by the disciplinary authority were approved by the revisional authority vide order, dated 01.08.2000. Challenging the orders passed by the appellate and revisional authorities, the petitioner approached the Central Administrative Tribunal, Hyderabad
In this Writ Petition, it is contended by the learned counsel for the petitioner that as the petitioner has attained the age of superannuation, his claim is only with reference to the compassionate allowance as contemplated under Rule 65(1) of Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993. It is submitted that as per the aforesaid Rule, the authority competent to dismiss or remove the railway servant, in deserving cases, is empowered to sanction compassionate allowance not exceeding 2/3rd of pension or gratuity or both which would have been admissible to him if he had retired on compensation pension. It is further submitted that neither the disciplinary authority nor the appellate authority had considered the case of the petitioner. It is also submitted that the petitioner had already submitted representation to the fourth respondent - General Manager, South Central Railway, Secunderabad, seeking to sanction compassionate allowance. In spite of the same, his request has not been considered.
On the other hand, it is submitted by the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents that in view of proven misconduct, the petitioner was removed from service vide Memo, dated 11.10.1993 and the said Memo was also confirmed by the appellate and revisional authorities, as such, the matter does not deserve any consideration by this Court.
As much as the petitioner is only pressing for consideration of his claim for compassionate allowance as contemplated under Rule 65(1) of the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993, it is not necessary to go into the merits of the matter with reference to the order of removal passed by the disciplinary authority, as confirmed by the appellate and revisional authorities. A perusal of Rule 65(1) of the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993 indicates that the competent authority is empowered to sanction compassionate allowance not exceeding 2/3rd of pension or gratuity or both, in deserving cases. It also indicates that the discretionary power is conferred upon the competent authority to sanction compassionate allowance while passing an order of dismissal or removal. Further, as per proceedings, dated 04.11.2005, issued by the Government of India in File No.F(E)III/2003/PN1/5, if entitlement of compassionate allowance is not considered while passing an order of removal or dismissal, the same can be considered at a later point of time. Whether the petitioner is entitled to compassionate allowance or not is a matter which is required to be considered by the respondents as per the Rules. It is to be noticed that the petitioner submitted representation to the fourth respondent on 13.07.2012, seeking to sanction compassionate allowance.
In view of pendency of such representation of the petitioner and further, as it is clarified by the Government of India in File No.F(E)III/2003/PN1/5, dated 04.11.2008, that compassionate allowance also can be sanctioned on an application filed by the railway servant subsequent to the passing of an order of removal/dismissal, we deem it appropriate to direct the fourth respondent to consider representation, dated 13.07.2012, submitted by the petitioner for grant of compassionate allowance, and communicate the decision taken thereon to him, as expeditiously as possible, preferably, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that such consideration shall be in accordance with the Rules and other Circular instructions, if any issued on the said aspect.
Subject to the above, the Writ Petition is disposed of. No order as to costs.
Miscellaneous Petitions, if any pending in this Writ Petition shall stand closed.
______________________
R.SUBHASH REDDY, J
6th JUNE, 2013.
_________________
A.V.SESHA SAI, J
kvni
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