S RAVI Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) SINCE the issue raised in all these writ petitions is one and the same and identical, they are being disposed of by the following common order.

(2.) FOR convenience, we shall refer the petitioners in W.P.No.22111 of 2004. According to them, all of them were initially appointed in the Central Industrial Security FORce as Constables and all of them have now put in more than 15 years of continuous service in the FORce since the date of their initial appointment. The Government of India had issued orders dated 09.08.1999 providing Assured Career Progression (ACP) Scheme for the Central Government employees, whereby it was decided to grant two financial upgradations, as recommended by the Fifth Central Pay Commission, to the employees, on completion of 12 years and 24 years of regular service respectively. The ACP Scheme was to become operational from the date of issue of the said order. The financial upgradation was to be granted from the date of completion of the eligibility period prescribed under the Scheme or from the date of issue of the said instructions whichever is later. It was stipulated that the financial upgradation shall be available only, if no regular promotions during the prescribed periods (12 years and 24 years) have been availed by an employee. It was further stipulated that fulfillment of the normal promotion norms shall be ensured for grant of benefits under the ACP Scheme.

(3.) THOUGH similar averments have been made by the petitioners as well as the respondents in the form of affidavits and counter affidavits respectively, we are of the view that there is no need to refer the same separately.