Authorities must consider service-benefit representations on merits and pass orders within eight weeks.

The petitioner, a Checking Inspector, sought annual increments, revised pay-review dates, promotion consideration, pay refixation, correction of provident-fund contributions, and consequential benefits.

He stated that he had made representations, including a legal notice dated 16 September 2020 and a further representation dated 10 August 2022, but no action had been taken; he attributed the denial of his entitlements to the alleged misplacement of his records.

The respondents’ counsel agreed that the notice and representation could be considered on their merits and in accordance with law.

Whether the respondents should be directed to consider the petitioner’s legal notice dated 16 September 2020 and representation dated 10 August 2022 and pass appropriate orders

Whether the petitioner was entitled in this writ petition to a determination of his claims for increments, pay revision, promotion, and consequential benefits

The petition was brought under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

The Court relied on the respondents’ undertaking to consider the petitioner’s notice and representation in accordance with law.

The Court expressly refrained from deciding the merits of those claims.

In light of the respondents’ fair submission that they would consider the petitioner’s notice and representation on their merits and in accordance with law, the Court found it appropriate to direct that consideration rather than adjudicate the disputed service claims.

It therefore left the petitioner’s substantive entitlements undecided.

The Court directed the respondents to consider the legal notice dated 16 September 2020 and representation dated 10 August 2022 on their merits and in accordance with law, and to pass appropriate orders within eight weeks of receiving a copy of the order.

No costs were awarded.