ACP/MACP service-benefit disputes fall within Bihar’s 2019 Government Servant Grievance Redressal Rules.

The petitioner sought grant of benefits under the Assured Career Progression (ACP) and Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) schemes, consequential revision of pay and pension, and payment of arrears and other benefits.

The State objected that the grievance fell within the Bihar Government Servant Grievance Redressal Rules, 2019.

The Court considered the Rules’ definition of a service-benefit complaint and the procedure for filing one.

Whether the petitioner’s claim for ACP/MACP benefits and consequential service and retirement benefits was covered by the Bihar Government Servant Grievance Redressal Rules, 2019.

Whether the petitioner should first be permitted to pursue the complaint procedure under those Rules.

Rule 2(c) of the Bihar Government Servant Grievance Redressal Rules, 2019 defines “complaint” to include service-benefit matters concerning promotion, ACP and MACP, salary, and retirement benefits, including pension.

It excludes matters already under consideration before a court.

Rule 3 provides that serving or retired Bihar Government employees may file complaints online, generally addressing only one subject in each application.

The Court noted that the petitioner’s claims concerned ACP/MACP, pay and pension—matters expressly included within “complaint” under Rule 2(c).

In view of the State’s objection and the complaint procedure prescribed by Rule 3, the Court granted the petitioner liberty to pursue that procedure.

It did not adjudicate the petitioner’s substantive entitlement to the benefits claimed.

The concerned authority was directed to pass orders within the time specified in those Rules.