CAT - Delhi

Direction to decide pending representations for Cycle Maintenance Allowance through a reasoned and speaking order.

Uttrakhand m e s karmachari sangathan dehradun acting through rakesh Kumar vs M/O DEFENCE

CAT - DelhiJUDGMENT: March 16, 20262 MIN READSOURCE JUDGMENT
THE ORIGINAL LAWLENS SUMMARY
01

Facts

The applicants, a registered union and an individual employee (FGM HS-I) under the Military Engineer Services (MES), filed an Original Application (OA) seeking the release of Cycle Maintenance Allowance (CMA) for the periods 01.07.2017 to 30.06.2021 and from 01.07.2022 onwards

Source reference: p. 3, para 1

They contended that CMA is sanctioned based on the post rather than the individual, as per the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) and Office Memorandum (OM) dated 14.07.2017

Source reference: p. 3, para 2

Despite submitting representations on 12.08.2025 and 10.02.2026, the respondents failed to act

Source reference: p. 4, para 3

Procedurally, the Tribunal allowed Miscellaneous Applications for exemption from filing certain documents and for permission to contest the matter jointly

Source reference: p. 2
02

Issues

1. Whether the applicants are entitled to the grant of Cycle Maintenance Allowance (CMA) for the specified periods in terms of the 7th CPC recommendations and OM dated 14.07.2017

Source reference: p. 3, para 2

2. Whether the Tribunal should direct the respondents to decide the applicants' pending representations in a time-bound manner in light of earlier judicial precedents

Source reference: p. 4, para 3
03

Law Applied

Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunal Act, 1985, which provides the right to aggrieved persons to apply to the Tribunal for redressal of grievances

Source reference: p. 3

Central Administrative Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 1987, regarding the maintainability of joint applications

Source reference: p. 2

OM dated 14.07.2017 regarding 7th CPC recommendations for Cycle Maintenance Allowance

Source reference: p. 3

Principles of natural justice and the precedent established in the Tribunal’s order dated 23.12.2024 in OA No. 1600/2024, which directed the consideration of similar representations

Source reference: p. 4, para 5
04

Reasoning

The Tribunal focused on the procedural remedy rather than the merits of the allowance claim. It noted that the applicants’ representations remained pending before the competent authority

Source reference: p. 4

During the hearing, the applicants limited their request to a direction for the respondents to consider these representations in a time-bound manner, citing a similar previous order by the Tribunal

Source reference: p. 4, para 3

The respondents’ counsel did not object to this limited direction but requested that the issue of limitation (delay in filing) remain open

Source reference: p. 4, para 4

The Tribunal determined that the interests of justice would be served by requiring the respondents to pass a "reasoned and speaking order," thereby ensuring the administration applies its mind to the statutory/policy claims of the employees while preserving the respondents' right to contest based on limitation

Source reference: p. 5, para 5-6
05

Holding

The Tribunal disposed of the OA at the admission stage without expressing an opinion on the merits of the case

It directed the competent authority among the respondents to consider and decide the pending representations dated 12.08.2025 and 10.02.2026 by passing a reasoned and speaking order within eight weeks from the receipt of the certified copy of the order

Source reference: p. 4-5, para 5

The holding specified that this consideration is subject to the respondents' right to raise contentions regarding limitation

Source reference: p. 5, para 6

All pending MAs were disposed of, and no costs were awarded

Source reference: p. 5, para 8-9
CAT - Delhi

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Uttrakhand m e s karmachari sangathan dehradun acting through rakesh KumarvsM/O DEFENCE

CAT - Delhi · March 16, 2026

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