Court may recall an order and rehear a matter where implementation significantly impacts the public exchequer.

The Original Applicants (respondents in this RA) had previously filed OA No. 387/2024 seeking a revision of pay scales effective from 01.01.1996 rather than 21.04.2004.

On 09.01.2026, the Tribunal allowed the OA, directing the Department to grant upgraded pay scales from 01.01.1996 with full consequential benefits, including arrears and pension revisions

The Union of India (Review Applicants) subsequently filed RA No. 45/2026 along with an application for condonation of delay (MA No. 1736/2026).

They contended that the delay occurred due to inter-departmental consultations

that the previous order contradicted government policy, which only allowed for 01.01.1996 benefits on a "notional basis" with actual financial benefits starting from 21.04.2004

1. Whether the delay in filing the Review Application on account of administrative coordination warrants condonation.

2. Whether the direction to grant actual financial arrears from 01.01.1996 constitutes a "circumstance" requiring a review and recall of the original order due to its impact on the public exchequer and conflict with established policy.

The Tribunal applied the principles governing the condonation of delay, requiring that such delay must not be "intentional or deliberate"

Tribunal exercised its power to recall orders in the interest of justice where substantial financial implications for the public exchequer are involved or where a "relook" is necessary to align the judicial directive with broader fiscal policy and administrative precedents, such as those upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in SLP (Diary No. 59005/2024)

The Tribunal first condoned the filing delay, accepting the Review Applicants' explanation that the time taken was due to the involvement of various agencies and Directorates in verifying records

Upon examining the grounds for review, the Tribunal noted the Department's argument that the previous order dated 09.01.2026 granted actual arrears from 1996, whereas the prevailing policy/precedent (upheld by the High Court of Telangana and the Supreme Court) limited such retrospective benefits to a "notional basis"

While the Tribunal expressed skepticism regarding the Department's reasons for non-implementation, it granted "indulgence" based on the potential "substantial outgo of resources from the public exchequer"

It reasoned that the scale of financial impact justified a fresh hearing to balance the applicants' rights against fiscal responsibility.

The Tribunal ordered the recall of the original judgment dated 09.01.2026 passed in OA No. 387/2024 (and the connected OA No. 1428/2024)

The Registry was directed to list both Original Applications for a fresh hearing on the merits on 21.05.2026