In view of the aforesaid circumstances, since the decision of the respondents to downgrade Hyderabad-GPO with allied consequences, was found to be contrary to Articles 14 & 16 of the Constitution and the relevant rules/law, we declare the said decision as unjust, arbitrary, irrational, unreasonable and illegal.
Consequently, the impugned Circular/ Letter/ Memo/ Office Notes dated 24.05.2019, 27.04.2020, 06.05.2020, 09.05.2020 and 26.05.2020 of the respondents respectively are set aside and quashed. The respondents are granted liberty to proceed with the exercise of establishment review, as early as they can, after developing regular CSI norms by following due procedures and taking the relevant aspects into consideration, in accordance with rules and law.
Till then, Hyderabad-GPO will continue to enjoy the status of Group ‘A’ and redeployment of posts/ staff shall be done only after review with regular CSI norms as directed. XX. With the above directions, the OA is allowed with no order as to costs. MAs stand disposed of accordingly.
