Judgment

SHIVA KIRTI SINGH, J.

1. The Respondents in these Appeals were applicants before the Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi (for short, ‘the Tribunal’). They preferred O.A. No.579 of 2002 against the Appellants seeking quashing of the order dated 10.8.2001 and also sought a direction to grant the scale of Rs.10000-325-15200/-to them and all other members of Grade-I (DASS) Officers’ Association from the date they had completed 24 years of regular service or 9.8.1999, whichever is later.

2. The aforesaid claim was founded upon the Assured Career Progression Scheme (for short, ‘ACPS’) introduced w.e.f. 9.8.1999 which, inter alia, provides for benefit of second financial upgradation on completion of 24 years of regular service to such Central Government civilian employees who faced stagnation and had not been granted two promotions during their service tenure. The controversy or the dispute arose in the background of some relevant facts which are as follows.

3. The Respondents were appointed as Grade-II in the Delhi Administration Subordinate Service (fo