CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL CHANDIGARH BENCH Reserved on: 26.11.2025 Pronounced on: 19.12.2025 CORAM : HON’BLE SH. SURESH KUMAR BATRA, MEMBER (J)

HON’BLE MRS. ANJALI BHAWRA, MEMBER (A)

1. Ritika Bhumra D/o Sh. Ajit Singh Bhumrah, aged 32 years, working as Telephone Operator, O/o Commandant, 9 FOD, Kandrori (Pathankot)-

144001.

2. Charu Sharma D/o Sh. Vijay Sharma, aged 27 years, working as Telephone Operator, O/o Commandant, 17 FAD, Ludhiana (Punjab) 141001.

3. Sukhjinder Singh S/o Sh. Jagtar Singh, aged 35 years, working as Telephone Operator, O/o Commandant, 223, Advance Base Ordnance Depot-

909718.

4. Binay Kumar S/o Sh. Kirhu Ram Chaudhary, working as Telephone Operator O/o Commandant, 18 Field Ammunition Depot FAD, 56 APO-

909718.

…Applicants (BY ADVOCATE: MR. K.B. SHARMA)

VERSUS

1. Union of India through the Secretary, Ministry of Defence, South Block, New Delhi-110001.

2. The Director General of Ord Services (OS-8C), MGO’s Branch, IHQ of MoD (Army), New Delhi-110001.

3. The OIC Records, AOC Records, PIN-900453 C/o 56 APO.

4. Commandant, 9 FOD, Kandrori (Pathankot)-144001.

...Respondents (BY ADVOCATE: MS. SWATI ARORA)

O R D E R Per: HON’BLE MRS. ANJALI BHAWRA, MEMBER (A):

1. This O.A has been filed under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 seeking the following reliefs:

“(a) Directing the respondents to place the relevant records pertaining to the present OA before their Lordships for the proper adjudication in the matter in the interest of justice.

(b) Quash and setting aside the impugned order dated 06.08.2019 (Annexure A/11), Annexure A/9 dated 22.05.2019 and Annexure A/10 dated 25.07.2019 and the respondents be directed to restore the revised pay scale and designation that had already been granted to the applicants, Telephone Operator in AOC vide respondents order dated 12.06.2013 with all consequential benefits.

(c) That it be declared that the applicants are entitled to pay scale of Rs.5200-20,200 + GP of Rs.2000/- (Pre-revised Rs.3200- 4900/-) in view of judicial pronouncements titled as Swaran Kaur & Ors. Vs. UOI & Ors., OA No.675/PB/2005 decided on 31.08.2006 Yoginder Kumar & Ors. Vs. UOI & Ors. OA No.3443/2009, dated 24.09.2010, Vinod Kumar Vs. UOI & Ors., OA No.3709/2011, dated 30.03.2013, Mohd. Ismail & Ors. Vs. UOI & Ors. OA No.393/PB/2010 decided on

26.07.2010.

(d) Allowing the OA of the applicants with cost etc.”

2. The brief facts of the case as submitted by the applicants are as follows:

I. The applicants on initial appointment of the Civilian Switch Board Operator were granted the pay scale of Rs.260-480/-, only the nomenclature of the post was given as Civilian Switch Board Operator but they were similarly placed as that of Telephone Operators working in the Post & Telegraph Department. Earlier the respondents had tried to withdraw the pay scale of Rs.260-480/- which was granted to CSBOs vide letter dated 22.08.1972 of Ministry of Defence as their work and duties were similar to those performed by the Telephone Operators in the Posts and Telegraphs Department.

II. Some CSBOs had filed O.A.No.239/HR/1993 and the Tribunal vide order dated 23.08.1993 had dismissed the O.A. The matter went upto the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and vide Order dated 27.04.2000 (Annexure A/1) the CAT order dated 23.08.1993 was quashed and set-aside pursuant to statement given by the learned Additional Solicitor General on the basis of office letter dated 25.04.2000 that the benefit of decision of Jodhpur and Allahabad Benchs of the Tribunal was allowed to the CSBOS. The scale of Rs.260-480/- was revised to the scale of Rs.975-1660/- w.e.f. 01.01.1986 and to Rs.3200-4900/- w.ef. 01.01.1996. The Department further introduced Time Bound Scale Promotions Scheme on completion of 16 years service in the scale of Rs.5000-8000/- and after 26 years service in the scale of Rs.5500-9000/- respectively.

III. Another O.A. No.450/HR/2002 was filed before this Tribunal by the CSBO when the department tried to withdraw the scale of Rs.3200-490