K. ARULMOZHI Vs. ACCOUNTS OFFICER (AUDIT)

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner joined as a Secondary Grade Teacher in the Government High School, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore District on 05.11.1976. While she was working as Secondary Grade Teacher, she was sanctioned with two sets of advance increments viz., two advance increments for passing B.Ed Degree with effect from 22.03.1986 and another two advance increments for passing M.A. Degree with effect from 16.06.1986. In total, she received 4 incentive increments for acquiring higher qualification viz., B.Ed and M.A. degrees. Thereafter, the petitioner acquired M.Ed qualification in the year 1987.

(2.) SUBSEQUENTLY , she was promoted to the post of Tamil Pandit Grade I, which is equivalent to BT Grade in 1992. After becoming Tamil Pandit Grade I, which is equivalent to BT Assistant, she claimed for two advance increments for acquiring M.Ed qualification in 1987. The said advance increments were given with effect from 07.10.1992, i.e., from the date of joining as Tamil Pandit and not from the date of acquiring the qualification in 1987.

(3.) A reply affidavit was filed by the respondents. It is stated that the petitioner is entitled to a maximum of 4 advance increments in the service and since she has already obtained 4 incentive increments, two more increments for acquiring M.Ed., is illegal and therefore, the excess amount paid was correctly sought to be recovered.