One of the service Association has filed CAT case in Madras
Bench in connection with the revision of Overtime Allowance.
Hon’ble CAT Madras Bench in their judgement dated 9th April
2013 stated that ''prior to 5th CPC, all Non-Gazetted employees in
receipt of monthly basic pay of upto Rs. 2200/- were entitled to OTA for
performing duties beyond the designated working hours. The 5th CPC
had recommended abolition of OTA for all categories except the Staff Car
Driver, Operational Staff and Industrial employees. But, it recommended that
the staff deployed on weekly off days should be given a compensatory leave
rather than any cash compensation in the form of OTA or otherwise. However, the
said recommendations were not accepted and status-quo was maintained as per the
recommendations of the 4th CPC. It is also seen that the rate of OTA
fixed and the ceiling by the Nodal Ministry viz. Department of Personnel and
Training, consequent on the recommendation of 4th CPC have not been
revised by the said Ministry. As rightly contended by the respondents, unless
the said Nodal Ministry approves the proposal sent by the Department of Posts
for revision of OTA rate, they are not in position to revise the OTA rates on
its own and it is a policy decision of the Government. In other words, the Department Posts cannot
take an independent decision on the issue raised by the respondents".
