Leeladhar Prasad Sahu v. State of Chhattisgarh
Case brief
What is this about?
The Court addressed multiple writ petitions concerning the denial of pension benefits to employees who served as Shikshakarmis prior to absorption into regular government service. Acknowledging that policy formulation on pension cutoff dates lies with the executive, the Court found a vacuum due to inconsistent executive treatment and the absence of a definitive policy regarding pre-absorption service. Consequently, the Court refrained from adjudicating individual pension claims or modifying the existing policy but directed the State Government to finalize a clear, uniform policy within 120 days.
What did the court decide?
Directed the respondent-State to formulate a clear, categorical, and uniform policy on the determinative date of appointment for pensionary purposes, considering pre-absorption service, and communicate the decision in a speaking order within 120 days.