Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, June 17

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in Srinagar has said government employees have the right to submit representations regarding service-related grievances and that competent authorities are legally required to consider and decide such requests in accordance with the law.

The observation came while the tribunal granted interim relief to a senior Jammu and Kashmir government employee who challenged a recent deployment order issued months before his retirement.

Judicial Member M S Latif directed authorities not to implement the order against Jawid Ahmad Bhat, an examiner posted in the General Provident Fund Police Move Cell at Police Headquarters, until his representation is considered.

Bhat challenged a June 11 deployment order, arguing that after more than 35 years of service and with retirement due on November 30, shifting him from his current posting would serve little administrative purpose and could affect preparation of pension-related documentation.

The tribunal noted that the order amounted to a deployment rather than a transfer and could be modified or withdrawn by the administration at any stage.

While reiterating that courts generally exercise limited jurisdiction in matters relating to postings and transfers, the tribunal said employees retain the right to seek redressal of legitimate grievances through appropriate administrative channels.

Considering Bhat’s impending retirement, the tribunal said it appeared fair that he should not be shifted from his present posting at such a late stage of service.

The tribunal directed him to submit a formal representation by June 18 and ordered the competent authority to decide the matter within two weeks.

As an interim measure, it ordered that the deployment directive should not be acted upon during that period insofar as it concerned Bhat.