1. The Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Govt. of India, 124C, Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi. 2. The Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Head Quarters, 18, Institutional Area, Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg, New Delhi. 3. The Deputy Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Regional Office, Chennai, IIT Campus, Chennai. 4. The Principal Kendriya Vidyalaya, CECRI, Karaikudi, Sivaganga. ...Respondents By Advocate Mr. Su Srinivasan SCGSC 2 OA No.310/00259 of 2023 ORDER (Pronounced by Hon'ble Mr. M. Swaminathan, Judicial Member) This OA has been filed by the applicant seeking the following relief: "to call for the records of the 3rd respondent made in F.17044/ 2020 21 / KVS (CHER)/ 200, dated 31.03.2021 and No.F.170230 (Pension) / 2021 2022 / KVS / (CHER)/7422, dated 17.11.2021 and set aside them as illegal, arbitrary, and nonest in law and consequently, direct the 3rd respondent to release a sum of Rs.3,47,408/ with accrued interest at the rate of 12% per annum from the respective due dates mentioned till the final payment is made, along with appropriate cost and render justice". 2. The facts leading to the filing of the OA, as submitted by the applicant, are as follows: The applicant, who worked as a Post Graduate Teacher (Biology) at Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan in CECRI Karaikudi, has a commendable service record spanning 26 years, from July 12, 1994, to February 15, 2021. She was granted Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) on February 15, 2021, following her request. She further submits that during the COVID19 pandemic in March 2020, after the academic year concluded, the applicant returned to her home in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on May 6, 2020, for the summer vacation, having obtained the necessary e pass from both the Tamil Nadu and Kerala governments. In line with government directives for educational institutions to transition to virtual classrooms, she communicated via email on June 20, 2020, with school authorities to request permission to resume her duties and conduct online 3 OA No.310/00259 of 2023 classes from home. Despite her efforts, the relevant authorities did not respond to her requests. Nevertheless, demonstrating her commitment as a teacher, she began conducting online classes using her own email and Google Suite platform on June 20, 2020. On July 7, 2020, the 5th respondent provided her with a KVS Google Suite ID and password, further facilitating her online teaching. Her performance was later positively assessed by the 5th respondent during an observed class on August 27, 2020. 3. The applicant further submits that despite fulfilling her duties and receiving feedback indicating her classes were effectively conducted, the applicant did not receive her salary for September 2020. She formally reached out to the 4th respondent to request the release of her salary, which was acknowledged but not acted upon. Meanwhile, the 4th respondent accepted her VRS application and officially relieved her from her position effective February 15, 2021. After her retirement, the applicant raised the issue of her unpaid September salary with the Regional Officer of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan on February 25, 2021. However, her attempts to resolve this matter were unsuccessful. Subsequently, she submitted another representation to the 4th respondent on March 9, 2021, seeking redress for her salary issue. In a subsequent order, the 4th respondent categorized her period of online teaching from 4 OA No.310/00259 of 2023 June 20 to September 30, 2020, as Leave of Kid due/EOL (Extra Ordinary Leave) due to a lack of sufficient documentation to regularize her absence during the pandemic. On November 17, 2021, the 4th respondent issued an order demanding the recovery of Rs.2,38,158/ for alleged excess salary payments. The order also adjusted an amount of Rs.73,809/ from her