KAS Officers call on LG, Hail UT Government’s Decision to Implement CAT judgement on KAS Seniority

Jammu,April 09: A delegation of KAS officers called on Sh Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor Jammu & Kashmir to express gratitude for speedy implementation of the judgement pronounced by the CAT relating to the seniority dispute of the Jammu & Kashmir Administrative Service and release of Special Scale in favour of the officers of 99 Batch. The delegation of KAS officers met the Lieutenant Governor in presence of the Sh. B. V. R Subrahmanyam Chief Secretary J&K, Sh Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary (Home) and Sh Manoj Kumar Diwedi, Commissioner, Secretary, General Administration Department.

The UT Government’s decision of handling the long pending dispute in a deft and swift manner soon after the pronouncement of judgment by the CAT on 2nd April, so as to bring an end to a long pending legal controversy was hailed and appreciated by the officers who met the lieutenant Governor, saying that it exhibited the seriousness and sensitivity to address the issues plaguing the premier service of the UT.

The delegation hailed the noteworthy contributions and efforts of Sh. B. V. R. Subrahmanyam Chief Secretary, J&K at this crucial juncture and said that his keen interest and dextrous approach paved way for speedy implementation of the judgment of the CAT, aimed to bring an end to the legal tangle in the larger interest of KAS Cadre. The role played by the Sh Manoj Diwedi, Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department and other stakeholders in the speedy finalization of the revised seniority list was also lauded.

It is pertinent to mention that the seniority dispute of KAS officers was subject matter of a legal dispute since 2011 in the J&k High Court till the establishment of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) Bench at Jammu in the year 2020.

A fresh application titled Anoo Malhotra & Oter Vs State and Others was also filed by a group of officers after the publication of draft redrawn seniority list by the General Administration Department on 05.08.2020 on the recommendations of report submitted by the Hirdesh Committee. The CAT ordered day to day hearing in the case and after culmination of the arguments decided the matter in a record time of less than 06 months, on 28th march, 2021 which led to revision of final seniority list of KAS officers, notifed by the UT Government on 7th April, 2021. The pendency of the seniority dispute had created extreme sense of despair and demoralization amongst all ranks of KAS officers due to stagnation and delayed promotions.

However, the resolution of the seniority dispute will open the path for induction of KAS officers into IAS which had got stalled for about a decade due to non finalization of seniority.

The delegation also raised various other issues concerning welfare and strengthening of the Kashmir Administrative Service in the meeting.

The Lieutenant Governor J&K assured favourable consideration of issues relating to further improvement of career progression avenues for officers and strengthening of KAS cadre.