JAMMU, Aug. 18 -- The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Srinagar Bench, has castigated the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department (PDD) for withholding gratuity dues of a retired officer for over a decade, while reiterating that pension is a vested right and not a matter of generosity on the part of the State.
The case pertained to Ghulam Nabi Shah, 72, a retired Section Officer from Budgam, who superannuated in January 2012. Despite obtaining a "No Dues Certificate" in June 2012, his gratuity of ?50,000 was not released, compelling him to approach the Tribunal after 12 years of delay.
Delivering the order, Member (Judicial) M.S. Latif underscored that pensionary benefits are constitutionally protected under Article 300A, and...