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".
