CAT Rules In Favour Of MES Workers In Prolonged Allowance Case
Tribunal decision grants long-pending dress allowance relief to Military Engineer Services employees.
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has ruled in favour of employees of the Military Engineer Services (MES), bringing to an end a nine-year legal battle over the payment of dress allowance. The order directs authorities to extend the benefit to eligible civilian staff, marking a significant relief for workers who had long contested their exclusion from the scheme.
The dispute dates back to the implementation of the Seventh Central Pay Commission recommendations, under which dress allowance replaced earlier uniform-related reimbursements for central government employees. While several departments began disbursing the allowance, MES personnel argued that similarly placed staff were denied the benefit without clear justification, prompting them to seek legal remedy.
In its judgment, the tribunal observed that denying dress allowance to eligible MES employees amounted to discriminatory treatment, particularly when comparable categories of government workers were receiving the benefit. CAT directed the concerned authorities to process the claims and ensure compliance within a stipulated timeframe, reinforcing the principle of parity in service conditions.
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Employee representatives welcomed the decision, stating that the prolonged delay had caused financial strain and eroded morale among staff engaged in critical infrastructure and defence-related maintenance work. The MES functions under the Ministry of Defence and is responsible for construction and upkeep of facilities for the armed forces across the country.
The ruling is expected to have administrative and financial implications, as authorities assess arrears and the broader scope of implementation. For MES workers, however, the order represents closure to a nearly decade-long dispute and reaffirms their entitlement to benefits aligned with central government norms.
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