CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL AHMEDABAD BECH Original Application No. 421/2025 Dated this the16th day of December, 2025.

CORAM:

Hon’ble Shri Jayesh V Bhairavia, Member (J)

Hon’ble Dr. Hukum Singh Meena, Member (A)

Details of the Applicants:

1. Mahendrabhai B. Trivedi S/o. Bhagvanjibhai Trivedi Age: 76 Residing at - Harikesh, 6 - Ramnagar, Closed Street, Rajkot - 360004

2. Gopaldas H. Aghera S/o. Hiralal N. Aghera Age: 73 Residing at Varchas, 11-Kailash Park Society, B/h.

Natraj Nagar, University Road, Rajkot - 360005

3. Pravinchandra Dave s/o Chandulal Dave Age: 72 Residing at - Shilpan Onyx Flat No. A3-403, Gangotri Park Main Road, Opp. B.T. Savani Kidney Hospital, Rajkot-360005

4. Hasmukhbhai C. Palan S/o. Chandrakant Palan Age: 75 Residing at Anand, 1/10 Vaniya Wadi, Opp. Patel wadi, Closed Street, Rajkot-360002. 5. Parbatsinh Manubha Rana, S/o Manubha Ranubha Rana Age: 74 Residing at - "Ashirvad", 12/1 Patel Colony, Behind IDBI Bank, Jamnagar-360008

6. Ashwinkumar Nathalal Shah, S/o Nathalal Talkshibhai Shah Age: 73 Residing at -B/08, Mallinath flat, Opp. Kamal Temple, Station Road, Surendranagar - 363002.

7. Rameshwar Dave s/o Tribhuwan Dave Age: 71 years Residing at-401, Aurovilla apartment, Saru section petrol pump, Jamnagar-361002 (By Advocate- Ms. Vilas Purani)

…………..Applicants versus

1. Union of India Notice to be served through The Secretary Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue North block, New Delhi-110001.

2. The Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Room No. 76 New Delhi - 110001.

3. The Chairman Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, [Excise and customs] North block, New Delhi-

110001

4. The Commissioner of Customs [preventive], Seema Shulk Bhavan, Beside Jamnagar Rajkot Highway, Nr. Viktoria, Jamnagar Jamnagar- 361001.

5. The Commissioner Custom House, Opp-Balaji Temple, Kandla-370210.

(By Advocate: Mr. H.D. Shukla and Ms. R.R. Patel)

…………………Respondents

ORDER

Per: Hon’ble Shri Jayesh V Bhairavia, Member (J)

1. The applicant(s) being aggrieved with action on the part of the respondents to grant them the benefit of upgraded pay/enhanced pay scale w.e.f. 21.04.2004 instead of 01.01.1996, have filed the present OA, under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunal Act, 1985, seeking following reliefs: -

“VIII) Relief Sought For In the above mentioned facts and circumstances of the case the applicant pray that:

a. hat this Hon'ble Tribunal be pleased to Quash and set aside the impugned decision dated 25.07.2023, as communicated vide letter dated 27.10.2023 (Annexure A/1), whereby the proposal to grant the benefit of notional upgradation of pay scales w.e.f. 01.01.1996 to the posts of Inspector and Superintendent under CBIC was rejected;

b. That this Hon'ble Tribunal be pleased to hold and declare that the action of the respondents whereby rejecting the their claim for granting the upgraded pay scales to Inspectors and Superintendents of Central Excise/Customs only from 21.04.2004 instead of 01.01.1996 is arbitrary, illegal, and violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India as illegal, arbitrary and violative of Articles 14 & 16 of Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to grant enhanced pay-scale to of the applicants upon to the post of Inspectors and Superintendents from 01.01.1996 notionally.

c. That this Hon'ble Tribunal be pleased to direct the respondents to grant the benefit of upgraded pay scales (Rs. 6500-10500 to Inspectors and Rs. 7500-12000 to Superintendents) notionally w.e.f. 01.01.1996 and actually w.e.f. 21.04.2004, in parity with similarly placed officers in other departments such as CBDT, Railway Accounts, and Postal Accounts.

d. That this Hon'ble Tribunal may be pleased to direct the respondents to fix the pay of the applicants accordingly from 01.01.1996 notionally and thereafter to pay arrears of pay, pension, and all other consequential benefits actually from 21.04.2004 onward within a stipulated time limit, along with interest at such rate as deemed f