Management of Cpwd v. Smt.Lata Singh & Anr.
Service Law / Gratuity – Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 – applicability to Muster Roll workers
Case brief
What is this about?
Delhi High Court, single judge (Manoj Kumar Ohri, J.), order dated 02.05.2025, dismissing batch writ petitions W.P.(C) 12885/2021, 6094/2022, 9412/2022, 13039/2022, 6922/2022, 9427/2022, 9694/2022, 9713/2022, 10487/2022, 11008/2022 and 1229/2023 filed by CPWD/PWD managements against Appellate Authority (Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner) orders confirming Controlling Authority gratuity awards for Muster Roll service. Key themes: Payment of Gratuity Act 1972 applicability to Muster Roll/daily-rated workers; Section 2(e) definition 'any person'; Section 4(5) non-obstante clause; Section 14 overriding effect; social welfare legislation; Central Civil Service (Pension) Rules 1972; O.M. No. 22/47/2018-EC-X dated 22.04.2022 and 50% counting argument rejected; Directorate General CPWD circular dated 26.06.2006; cases relied on: National Bal Bhawan v. Vandana 2019 SCC OnLine Del 11399; CPWD v. Ghanshyam Singh 2019 SCC OnLine Del 7229; LPA 359/2021 (judgment dated 23.08.2022). Useful for advocates litigating gratuity claims of Muster Roll/casual workmen against government departments.