S.BABU Vs. PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The grievances of the writ petitioners are that the Special Grade benefits granted to the writ petitioners are sought to be recovered by way of letter dated 19.12.2017, without even issuing a show cause notice and opportunity to the writ petitioners.

(2.) Though the learned counsel for the writ petitioners made a submission in respect of the merits of the case, this Court is of an opinion that the same ought to be adjudicated by the Competent Authorities only after receiving the explanation / objections from the aggrieved employees. It is an established principle that an order effecting the service rights and conditions of the employees cannot be issued without providing an opportunity to all such employees.

(3.) In the present case on hand, the respondents are unable to establish that such an opportunity was provided or show cause notice was issued to these writ petitioners and therefore, it is a fit case for remand. Accordingly, the impugned order passed by the first respondent in Letter No.2928/F1/2016-8 dated 19.12.2017 is quashed.