IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.SURENDRA MOHAN TUESDAY, THE 27TH JANUARY 2009 / 7TH MAGHA 1930 WP(C).No. 1943 of 2009(S) ------------------------- OA.49/2008 of CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL,ERNAKULAM BENCH .................... PETITIONER(S): --------------- V.A.RAGHU PRASAD, ASSISTANT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, PANAMPILLY NAGAR KOCHI, RESIDING AT VELUTHEDATH HOUSE, PACHALAM, KOCHI 12. BY ADV. SRI.P.RAMAKRISHNAN SMT.PREETHI RAMAKRISHNAN RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. UNION OF INDIA, REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, MINISTRY OF EXTRNAL AFFAIRS, NEW DELHI-110 001. 2. THE JOINT SECRETARY (CPV) AND CHIEF PASSPORT OFFICER, MINISTRY OF EXTRNAL AFFAIRS, NEW DELHI-110 001. 3. THE REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICER REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, PANAMPILLY NAGAR COCHIN 682 036. 4. SHRI GHANSHYAM KANSRA, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE,HUDCO TRIKOOT -III BUILIDNG, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, RK PURAM, NEW DELHI 110 066. 5. SMT. MAMTA KOTIA, SUPERINTENDENT PASSPORT OFFICE, JIWAN PRAKASH BUILDING MODEL TOWN ROAD, JALANDHAR 144 001, PUNJAB 6. SMT. ANIL GROVER, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE,HUDCO TRIKOOT -III BUILIDNG, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, RK PURAM NEW DELHI 110 066. WPC 1943/09 7. SMT. GURJEET KAUR, SUPERINTENDENT PASSPORT OFFICE, JIWAN PRAKASH BUILDING MODEL TOWN ROAD, JALANDHAR 144 001, PUNJAB 8. SHRI N.C. MITRA, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE,HUDCO TRIKOOT -III BUILIDNG, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, RK PURAM NEW DELHI 110 066. 9. SHRI N.K.KAUSHIK, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, NAVACHETNA KENDRA, 10 ASHOK MARG, LUCKNOW-226 018, UTTAR PRADESH. 10. SMT. K.K.MANI, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, MUNCIPAL WATER TANK BUILDING, WEST BOULE ROAD TIRUCHIRPPALLI 620 008, TAMILNADU. 11. SHRI KRISHAN CHANDER SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, HUDCO TRIKOOT -III BUILIDNG, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, RK PURAM NEW DELHI 110 066. 12. SMT. KIRAN MITTAL, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, HUDCO TRIKOOT -III BUILIDNG, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, RK PURAM NEW DELHI 110 066. 13. SHRI.RAJINDER PAL, SUPERINTENDENT, PASSPORT OFFICE SRINAGAR 190 002, JAMMU & KASHMIR. 14. SHRI N.K.VERMA, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, HUDCO TRIKOOT -III BUILIDNG, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, RK PURAM NEW DELHI 110 066. 15. SHRI MADAN S RAWAT, SUPERINTENDET PASSPORT OFFICE, VIKAS JYOTHI COMMERCIAL COMPLEX PRIYADHARSHINI NAGAR, BAREILLY, UTTAR PRADESH. 16. SMT. SASHI B SADHANA, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, NAVACHETNA KENDRA, 10 ASHOK MARG, LUCKNOW-226 018, UTTAR PRADESH. 17. SHRI RAJINDER PRASAD, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, NAVACHETNA KENDRA, 10 ASHOK MARG, LUCKNOW-226 018, UTTAR PRADESH. 18. SHRI K.VASANTH KUMAR, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, KUMMARGUDA, SECUNDERABAD - 500 003 ANDHRA PRADESH. WPC 1943/09 19. SHRI K.S. SAPEHIA, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, SUKHIM UNIVERSITY MARG, TONK ROAD, JAIPUR - 302 015, RAJASTHAN. 20. SHRI V.K.SHARMA, SUPERINTENDENT, PASSPORT OFFICE, JIWAN PRAKESH BUILDING. MODEL TOWN ROAD, JALANDHAR 144 001 PUNJAB. 21. SHRI P.PONNAIYAN, SUPERINTENDENT, PASSPORT OFFICE, WATER TANK BUILDING, WEST BOULE ROAD TIRUCHIRPPALLI 620 008. TAMILNADU. 22. SHRI B BOOPATHY, SUPERINTENDENT,REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE 8TH BLOCK, 80 FT ROAD, KORAMANGALA, BANGALORE 560 095. 23. SHRI MALIK KHAN, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE 8TH BLOCK, 80 FT ROAD,KOAMANGALA,BANGALORE 560 095 24. SHRI BUDHI SAGAR, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE BISCMAUN TOWER, BANK ROAD, PATNA 800 001 BIHAR. 25. SHRI TULSI DAS, SUPERINTENDENT,REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE HUDCO TRIKOOT -11I, BUILDING, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE RK PURAM , NEW DELHI 110 066. 26. SHRI SOHAN LALA KAHLAT SUPERINTENDENT,PASSPORT OFFICE JIWAN PRAKASH BUILDING, MODEL TOWN ROAD JALANDHAR 144 001, PUNJAB. 27. SHRI V.SEKAR, SUPERINTENDENT,REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE 8TH BLOCK, 80 FT ROAD, KORAMANGALA, BANGALORE 560 095. 28. SMT. S.VIJAYA LAKSHMI, SUPERINTENDENT, PASSPORT OFFICE MUNCIPAL WATER TANK BUILDING, WEST BOULE ROAD TIRUCHIRPPALLI 620 008, TAMILNADU. 29. SHRI T.N.JAYARAM, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE 8TH BLOCK, 80 FT ROAD, KORAMANGALA, BANGALORE 560 095. WPC 1943/09 30. SHRI A.G.NALAWADE SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE MANISH COMMERICAL CENTRE, ANNIE BASANT ROAD, WORLI, MUMBAI 400 025, MAHARASHTRA. 31. SHRI RAJ SINGH, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE HUDCO TRIKOOT-III BUILDING, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE RK PURAM NEW DELHI 110 066. 32. SHRI M.NARAYANAN, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE 8TH BLOCK, 80 FT ROAD, KORAMANGALA, BANGALORE 560 095. 33. SMT KSHAMA SARIN, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE HUDCO TRIKOOT-111 BUILDING BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE RK PURAM NEW DELHI 110 066. 34. SMT. ASHA BHATNAGAR, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE CGO BUILDING, KAMALA NEHRU NAGAR, GHAZIABAD, UTTAR PRADESH. 35. SHRI R.D. SHARMA SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE SUKHIM, UNIVERSITY MARG, TONK ROAD, JAIPUR 302 015, RAJASTHAN. 36. SMT.KAMLESH SETH, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE HUDCO TRIKOOT -111 BUILDING, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE RK PURAM, NEW DELHI 110 066. 37. SHRI DAYA KRISHNAN SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE HUDCO TRIKOOT -111 BUILDING, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, RK PURAM, NEW DELHI 110 066. 38. SHRI SUSHIL BHALLA SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE NAVACHETNA KENDRA, 10 ASHOK MARG, LUCKNOW 226 018, UTTAR PRADESH. 39. SHRI.J.K.SRIVASTAVA, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE NAVACHETNA KENDRA, 10 ASHOK MARG, LUCKNOW-226 018. UTTAR PRADESH. 40. SHRI SUDHAKAR RASTOGI SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE NAVACHETNA KENDRA, 10 ASHOK MARG, LUCKNOW 226 018, UTTAR PRADESH. WPC 1943/09 41. SHRI SARAD KUMAR, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE NAVACHETNA KENDRA, 10 ASHOK MARG, LUCKNOW 226 018, UTTAR PRADESH. 42. SMT GEETA N. BHAGAT, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE HUDCO TRIKOOT-III BUILDING, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE RK PURAM, NEW DELHI 110 066. 43. SHRI K.S. SHAH, SUPERINTENDENT PASSPORT OFFICE APMC BUILDINGS, PUNE KUMBARIA ROAD DHUMBAL PO, SURAT, GUJARAT. 44. SHRI A.A. PATEL SUPERINTENDENT , REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE GULBAI TEKRA, AHMEDABAD - 380 006, GUJARAT. 45. SHRI M.P.JAISWAL, SUPERINTENDENT REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE NAVACHETNA KENDRA, 10 ASHOK MARG LUCKNOW 226 018, UTTAR PRADESH. 46. SRI. V.R. GANDHI, SUPERINTENDENT, PASSPORT OFFICE, APMC BUILDINGS, PUNE KUMBARIA ROAD, DHUMBAL.P.O, SURAT, GUJARAT. 47. SRI.P.K. GHOSH, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, 4, BRABOURNE ROAD, KOLKATTA-700 001, WEST BENGAL. 48. SMT. PRABHA NAYYAR, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, SECTOR NO. 34 A, CITY CENTRE, CHANDIGARH-160 034. 49. SHRI.S. KUMARA VELU, SUPERINTENDENT, PASSPORT OFFICE, MUNICIPAL WATER TANK BUILDING, WEST BOULE ROAD, TIRUCHIRAPPALI - 620 008, TAMILNADU. 50. SMT.U.K. SANTHA, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, PANAMPILY NAGAR, COCHIN - 682 036. 51. SHRI.M.L. RAWAT, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, NAVACHETNA KENDRA, 10 ASHOK MARG, LUCKNOW-226 018, UTTAR PRADESH. WPC 1943/09 52. SHRI.S. SADANAND BHAT, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, PANAMPILLY NAGAR, COCHIN - 682 036. 53. SHRI.P.K. ASHOK KUMAR, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, PANAMPILLY NAGAR, COCHIN - 682 036. 54. SMT. J. ALIVELU, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, KUMMARGUDA, SECUNDERABAD-500 003, ANDHRA PRADESH. 55. KUM. N.J. MARY, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, PANAMPILLY NAGAR, COCHIN - 682 036. 56. SMT. EALIAMMA JULIUS, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, PANAMPILLY NAGAR, COCHIN - 682 036. 57. SRI.M. RAJAPPAN, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, PANAMPILLY NAGAR, COCHIN - 682 036. 58. SHRI.V.P. JOY, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, PANAMPILLY NAGAR, COCHIN - 682 036. 59. SRI.MOTLING, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, MANISH COMMERCIAL CENTRE, ANNIE BASANT ROAD, WORLI, MUMBAI - 400 025, MAHARASHTRA. 60. SMT. URMILA SINGH, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, NAVANCHETNA KENDRA, 10 AHSOK MARG, LUCKNOW-226 018, UTTAR PRADESH. 61. SHRI.D.R. CHOUDHARY, ASSISTANT, PASSPORT OFFICE, APMC, BUILDINGS, PUNE KUMBARIA ROAD, DHUMBAL.P.O, SURAT, GUJARAT. 62. SMT.I.S. D' MELLOW, SUPERINTENDENT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, MANISH COMMERCIAL CENTRE, ANNIE BASANT ROAD, WORLI, MUMBAI - 400 025, MAHARASTHRA. 63. SHRI.V. KUMARARAJ, ASSISTANT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, 26, HADDOWS ROAD, SHASTRI BHAVAN, CHENNAI - 600 006, TAMILNADU. WPC 1943/09 64. SRI.R.S.RAWAT, ASSISTANT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, HUDCO TRIKOT - 111 BUILDING, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, R.K. PURAM, NEW DELHI - 110 066. 65. SRI.P.R. PARMAR, ASSISTANT, PASSPORT OFFICE, APMC BUILDINGS, PUNE KUMBARIA ROAD, DHUMBAL P.O., SURAT, GUJARAT.. 66. SHRI. SITARAM VERMA, ASSISTANT, PASSPORT OFFICE, CGO BUILDING, KAMALA NEHRU NAGAR, GHAZIABAD, UTTAR PRADESH. 67. SHRI. A.K. BHATIA, ASSISTANT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, HUDCO TRIKOOT-111 BUILDING, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, R.K PURAM, NEW DELHI - 110 066. 68. SHRI.N.C. BISHT, ASSISTANT, PASSPORT OFFICE, VIKAS JYOTHI, COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, PRIYADARSHINI NAGAR, BAREILY, U.P. 69. SHRI.N.A. PAREKH, ASSISTANT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, GULBAI TEKRA, AHMEDBAD-380 006, GUJARAT. 70. SMT.N. SATHIAMMA, ASSISTANT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, PANAMPILLY NAGAR, COCHIN - 682 036. 71. SHRI.K. MICLE, ASSISTANT, REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, PANAMPILLY NAGAR, COCHIN-682 036. SRI.P.PARAMESWARAN NAIR,ASST.SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR R1-3 THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 27/01/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: K.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR & K.SURENDRA MOHAN, JJ. ----------------------------------------- W.P.(C) NO. 1943 OF 2009-S ----------------------------------------- Dated 27th January, 2009. JUDGMENT Balakrishnan Nair, J. The petitioner is an Assistant, working in the Regional Passport Office, Kochi. He commenced service as a Daily Rated Clerk with effect from 1.7.1977. He was regularized as Lower Division Clerk with effect from 3.7.1980. The said date of regularization was pre-dated as 8.12.1978. On finding that some of his juniors were granted regularization with effect from the date of their initial engagement, the petitioner filed a representation in 2006, claiming that his regularization be pre-dated with effect from 1.7.1977. By Annexure-A7 order, the said prayer was granted. But, he was not granted consequential benefits. Therefore, O.A.No.49/2008 was filed before the Central Administrative Tribunal, Ernakulam Bench. The said O.A was allowed by the Tribunal by Ext.P5 order dated 27.8.2008. The relevant portion of the said order reads as follows: “In view of the above, the OA is allowed. It is declared WPC 1943/09 2 that regularization of the applicant's service in the grade of LDC shall be with effect from 1.7.1977 i.e., the date of his initial engagement and he is entitled to consequential seniority. However, as in the other case, he would be entitled to notional fixation of pay without any monetary benefits. On the basis of his revised seniority, if the applicant is entitled to higher promotion, the same be considered and granted from the date his immediate junior was promoted and the seniority in respective posts (UDC and Assistant as the case may be) rescheduled. His entitlement to monetary benefit on account of the advancement of the seniority would be reckoned only prospectively after the review DPC takes place and his promotion date altered. In so far as promotion to the higher grade of Superintendent is concerned, his seniority in the grade of Assistant as arrived at now would be considered. As the drill involves review of seniority right from LDC and also review of promotion to the post of UDC and Assistants, sufficient time would be required for the same, as the revised seniority has to be prepared after due notice to the affected parties. Hence, a period of 8 months is granted to implement this order. Again, it is made clear that in case the time granted falls short, respondents may move the Tribunal for further extension, before the expiry of the time allowed, by way of a Misc. Application, reflecting therein the extent of action taken, by narrating chronological sequence of events and justifying the extent of further time sought. Any inordinate delay in initiation of action etc., would not be a justification in seeking further extension of time.” The petitioner/applicant has been granted all possible reliefs, except arrears of salary. Claiming that he should be paid arrears of salary also, this Writ Petition is filed. 2. We notice that normally, arrears of pay and allowances are granted on retrospective promotion, if only the Tribunal finds that the person WPC 1943/09 3 concerned has been denied promotion/regularization in time without any justification. In all other cases, arrears are granted with effect from the date of the order and not from the date the order is given notional effect. In this case, we notice that there is no wilful omission from the part of the respondents to regularize or promote the petitioner/applicant. He claimed the relief of retrospective regularization from 1.7.1977, only in 2006. Therefore, we feel that the Tribunal has rightly declined the benefit of back wages. No ground has been made out, warranting interference with the order of the Tribunal at the instance of the writ petitioner. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is dismissed. K.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR, JUDGE. K.SURENDRA MOHAN, JUDGE. Nm/