Mandatory inter-departmental cooperation for time-bound disposal of PwBD promotion representations per established DoPT guidelines.

The applicant, a Person with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) with 77% locomotor disability employed by Respondent No. 1 (SAIL), challenged his non-consideration for promotion

Having received no response from SAIL regarding his internal representations, the applicant approached the Nodal Ministry (Ministry of Steel) via a representation dated 17.02.2025

Although the Ministry issued multiple reminders to the Chairman of SAIL between March 2025 and February 2026, SAIL allegedly failed to cooperate, resulting in a prolonged delay in deciding the applicant's status

The applicant sought a direction for a time-bound disposal of his pending representation

1. Whether the applicant is entitled to a time-bound decision on his representation regarding reservation in promotion for PwBD candidates

2. Whether Respondent No. 1 (SAIL) is legally obligated to cooperate with the administrative Ministry to facilitate the disposal of personnel grievances

Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) Office Memorandum (OM) dated 17.05.2022, which mandates reservation in promotion for PwD candidates up to the lowest rung of Group ‘A’ posts in the Central Government

DoPT OMs dated 07.02.2025 and 04.04.2025, which clarify that as SAIL functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Steel, the reservation instructions for PwD are applicable to its employees

The Tribunal observed that the applicant’s grievance remained unaddressed primarily due to the "non-cooperation" of SAIL with its administrative Ministry

It reasoned that a final decision by Respondent No. 3 (Ministry of Steel) could not "fructify" without the prior input and cooperation of the employer, SAIL

Rather than adjudicating on the merits of the promotion itself, the Tribunal focused on the administrative failure to process the representation

By setting specific timelines for both the employer to respond to the Ministry and for the Ministry to pass a speaking order, the Tribunal aimed to resolve the procedural deadlock that prevented the application of DoPT’s reservation clarified instructions

It directed Respondent No. 1 (SAIL) to respond to the Ministry’s communications and extend full cooperation within 15 days

Thereafter, Respondent No. 3 (Ministry of Steel) was directed to consider and dispose of the applicant’s representation by passing a reasoned and speaking order within one month from the date of receipt of the certified copy of the order

No costs were awarded