Respondents Directed to Decide Pending Representations Against Reduction of Cadre Strength and Stagnation via Reasoned Order

The applicants, comprising a Welfare Association and individual technical staff members of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, challenged the reduction of the sanctioned strength of the Operation Theatre (OT) technical cadre as per Recruitment Rules dated 14.03.2016.

They alleged that this reduction adversely affected promotional avenues and caused stagnation despite the hospital’s own proposal dated 10.11.2022 to revive posts due to workload requirements.

The applicants submitted multiple representations, the last being dated 17.03.2026, which remained unaddressed by the respondents.

Consequently, they approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) seeking a direction for the respondents to review the cadre strength and dispose of their pending representations.

1. Whether the applicants are entitled to a time-bound direction for the disposal of their pending representations regarding the restoration of sanctioned cadre strength and promotional avenues.

Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, which empowers aggrieved persons to seek redressal of grievances related to service matters.

The principle of administrative responsiveness, which dictates that competent authorities must consider and decide employees' representations through reasoned and speaking orders within a reasonable timeframe to prevent unnecessary litigation.

The Tribunal did not delve into the merits of the cadre restructuring or the validity of the 2016 Recruitment Rules.

It focused on the procedural lapse by the respondents in failing to adjudicate the applicants' representations.

Given the applicants' limited prayer to have their grievances considered by the executive, and the respondents' "no objection" to this request, the Tribunal found it appropriate to direct the competent authority to discharge its administrative duty.

The court linked the necessity of a "reasoned and speaking order" to the principles of natural justice and administrative law, ensuring the applicants receive a formal response to their claims regarding manpower shortages and stagnation.

It directed the competent authority among the respondents to consider the applicants' representations, specifically the one dated 17.03.2026, and pass a reasoned and speaking order within ten weeks from the receipt of the certified copy of the order.

No order as to costs was made.