One of
the Service Association has filed CAT case in Madras Bench in connection with
the revision of Overtime Allowance.
The 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 4thCPC 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".
