Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellants : Ashok Sharma, Ashwani Sharma.
For the Respondents: B. Nandan Vasishta, Rajnish Maniktala, Naresh K. Verma, S.S. Sood.

Based on the provided legal document, the key legal principles and considerations are as follows:

1. The fixing of a cut-off date for the implementation of pension benefits or revisions is within the authority of the government, provided that the reasons for such fixation are rational and not arbitrary or discriminatory (!) (!) (!) .

2. Financial constraints of the state are recognized as valid grounds for establishing a specific cut-off date. The government’s decision to implement benefits from a particular date, based on its financial position, is considered lawful as long as the reasons are rational and not capricious (!) (!) (!) .

3. The fixation of a cut-off date must be based on rational considerations such as economic conditions, administrative feasibility, or other relevant circumstances. Even in the absence of explicit reasons, the choice of date is not deemed arbitrary unless it is capricious or whimsical (!) (!) .

4. The law permits the government to adopt different dates for benefit implementation, especially when there are significant financial implications. Such decisions are within the executive’s domain and should be respected unless shown to be arbitrary or discriminatory (!) (!) .

5. The right to pension is recognized as a legal right, not a bounty, and is linked to the terms and rules governing the pension scheme. However, the government has the authority to determine the date from which benefits are payable, considering the state’s financial capacity (!) (!) (!) .

6. The government’s decision to fix a specific date for benefit implementation, particularly when justified by financial constraints, is lawful and does not violate constitutional principles as long as it is rationally connected to legitimate financial considerations (!) (!) (!) .

7. The courts generally exercise restraint in interfering with the government’s decision regarding the fixation of cut-off dates, recognizing the executive’s expertise and the importance of considering economic and administrative factors (!) (!) (!) .

8. In the case at hand, the government’s decision to set the cut-off date for pension benefits at a specific date (e.g., 01.04.2013) was based on valid financial considerations, and such a decision is not arbitrary or discriminatory. The government has the constitutional and statutory authority to fix such dates, and courts are unlikely to interfere unless the decision is manifestly capricious (!) (!) (!) .

In summary, the legal framework supports the government’s authority to fix cut-off dates for pension benefits, especially when justified by financial and administrative reasons, and such decisions are presumed valid unless proven to be arbitrary or irrational.