Development in Group A Status:

The members are well aware of the judgement Pr.CAT bench Delhi Judgment regarding the Conferment of Group A Status to Sr.AOs of Indian Audit and Accounts Department. The Honourable Tribunal appears to have believed that only the cabinet can absolve the SAOs from the said classification of their posts as Group ‘B’. The Tribunal has set the target time of four months to act on the issue of classification. One of the respondent that the department has reacted within 4 months and sent a UO letter to the Finance Ministry on 7th February 2013, complying with the order. The Government of India/Finance Ministry has not taken any decision over this issue till 10th April 2013, the date contemplated in the CAT’s order. In this back ground, we had no other option but to approach the High Court Delhi on 10th April 2013 to issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ directing the Respondents to confer Group ‘A’ status on the Senior Audit and Senior Accounts Officers who are drawing the same Grade Pay as other Group A officers of the Central Civil Services with effect from 1-1-2006. Hearing was on 29th April 2013 and the High Court has directed to issue notice to Government to inform as to what steps have been taken on the direction of Honourable Pr.Central Administrative tribunal. The next hearing will be 4th July 2013.