Facts
The applicant, a Technician-III in Northern Railway, filed this Original Application (OA) seeking interest on delayed payment of salary arrears
Source reference: p. 2-3Earlier, in OA No. 4473/2017 and MA No. 902/2024, the Tribunal had directed the respondents to release pay and allowances
Source reference: p. 2The arrears were eventually paid in December 2025; however, the applicant sought interest for the period of delay
Source reference: p. 2The Registry initially raised objections regarding the exhaustion of remedies and limitation
Source reference: p. 2Issues
1. Whether the Registry's objections regarding limitation and non-exhaustion of remedies are sustainable in light of the recurring nature of the cause of action
Source reference: p. 2, para. 3-42. Whether the applicant is entitled to interest on the delayed payment of salary arrears
Source reference: p. 3, para. 5Law Applied
The Tribunal applied Section 19 and Section 21 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, which govern the jurisdiction and the limitation periods for filing applications
Source reference: p. 2It also applied principles of natural justice, which allow for a directive to the administration to consider a citizen's grievance via a reasoned representation before full judicial adjudication
Source reference: p. 3, para. 10Reasoning
The Tribunal first addressed the Registry’s objections, ruling that because the payment of arrears occurred in December 2025, the claim for interest arose then, making the OA well within the limitation period prescribed under Section 21
Source reference: p. 2, para. 4Regarding the substantive relief, the applicant requested liberty to submit a comprehensive representation to the respondents instead of immediate adjudication by the Tribunal
Source reference: p. 3, para. 8The respondents noted that the applicant had not yet provided proof of non-payment but agreed to consider a representation after verification
Source reference: p. 3, para. 9The Tribunal determined that the ends of justice would be met by directing the administrative authorities to perform a fact-based review of the delay and the claim for interest
Source reference: p. 3, para. 10Holding
The Tribunal overruled the Registry’s objections and directed the assignment of an OA number
The OA was disposed of at the admission stage with a direction granting the applicant liberty to file a fresh comprehensive representation within two weeks
Source reference: p. 3, para. 10The competent authority among the respondents is directed to decide the said representation by passing a reasoned and speaking order within four weeks of receipt
Source reference: p. 3-4, para. 10-11No order as to costs was made
Source reference: p. 4, para. 13Original Court PDF
VIJAY SHANKAR YADAVvsNORTHERN RAILWAY
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