ANOMALY CASE and other cases
APPEAL FILED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TELECOM AGAINST THE JUDGEMENT OF CAT PRINCIPAL BENCH IN THE CASE OF PENSION ANOMALY, FILED BY OUR ASSOCIATION AND WON BY US, CAME UP FOR HEARING IN DELHI HIGH COURT TODAY. IT CAME UP AFTER LONG TEN MONTHS. EVEN THEN, THE DEPARTMENT DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE COURT ORDERS. ADVOCATE FOR DEPARTMENT SOUGHT FURTHER TIME. A SHORT POSTPONMENT IS ALLOWED. NEXT DATE OF HEARING IS 8-2-2019.
When justice is denied by the Government we are compelled to approach the court. It is the last resort for people like pensioners. Even at that stage the Government departments can play games and delay the justice further. Latest instance is the Pension Anomaly Case that came up before Delhi high court. Last time, the high court gave a long period of ten months to the Department of Telecom to file their counter. But after ten months, when the case was taken up the Department lawyer wants more time. Of course, this time it is only 4 months’ time is given. But there is no guarantee that Department will file their counter before that date.
THE TWO OTHER CASES
Our Association has filed two cases in Ernakulam CAT.
1. For getting arrears on account of 78.2% IDA revision from 1-1-2007 instead of 10.6.2013.
2. To get pension re-fixed @ 50% of last pay drawn to all BSNL retirees who retired before 1-1-2006.
CAT admitted both the cases. But, a date for hearing is not yet given by the CAT.
Reason?
There is only Judge in CAT Ernakulam bench. Only when two judges are available the case will be heard.
Government is responsible for this situation. A judge had retired in December 2017. 10 months have gone. The vacancy is not yet filled up. This is the case with Chennai bench of CAT also. It is the case with many other benches of CAT.
CAT was introduced to ensure justice as quickly as possible to the central government employees and pensioners.The very purpose is defeated by not posting sufficient number of judges.
The government, the bureaucracy, the authorities can deny justice; they can delay the justice also. The ordinary people are helpless.
Most of the people affected by the pension anomaly have left this world. But, justice is a distant cry for their families…..EVEN THE COURT OF JUSTICE DOES NOT OPEN ITS EYES.