Telangana Postal Circle Faces Legal Pressure to Enforce Court Orders in Retiree Benefits Case.
Hyderabad, Telangana - November 9, 2024
The Telangana Circle of the Postal Department has recently come under scrutiny from the Hon’ble High Court of Telangana over delayed implementation of a 2015 order from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Hyderabad Bench. The directive, aimed at ensuring fair treatment of retired postal employees, specifically impacts retirees like Sri K. Manohara, a former Sorting Assistant in the Secunderabad Sorting Division, and Sri V. Ravi Krishna, a retired Postal Assistant in Hyderabad City Division.
The High Court proceedings reveal ongoing legal complications surrounding CAT's orders, which were first issued on April 15, 2015, in favor of applicants under case numbers OA No. 779/2013 and OA No. 780/2013. The tribunal’s mandate was initially enforced by the Directorate's instruction on May 1, 2024, followed by another communication from the Circle Office on May 3, 2024, emphasizing immediate action. However, despite these directives, the implementation of the orders remains incomplete, leading the High Court to register a contempt case, numbered CC 2270/2023 and 45/2024.
According to the Telangana Postal Circle, the non-compliance appears linked to lapses within Regional Offices, which have yet to fulfill the mandated payments and benefits outlined for the applicants. This delay has now led to the court seeking accountability from the Postal Department, calling for an explanation regarding the actions of officials responsible for the non-compliance.
To address this, the Assistant Director (Staff) at the Telangana Postal Circle has directed immediate action, mandating accountability from the officials who failed to adhere to the tribunal's orders. These officials face possible disciplinary measures, with a compliance affidavit required to be filed with the High Court to avoid further legal repercussions.
This issue has been flagged as a matter of "Top Priority," and the Postal Department is expected to act swiftly to prevent additional adverse remarks from the court and to resolve the long-standing grievances of retired employees, whose entitlements have been unduly delayed.
In light of the court’s emphasis on adherence, the Telangana Postal Circle’s Legal Cell has been tasked with ensuring prompt resolution and compliance with tribunal orders. Observers note that this case underscores the challenges faced by retirees in securing their rightful benefits and stresses the importance of rigorous adherence to legal directives within public institutions.
