Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 10: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Jammu Bench, has directed the Jammu and Kashmir Government to pass a reasoned order on the grievance of Special Secretary, Tribal Affairs Department, Mohammad Latif, against his deputation to the Union Territory of Ladakh.
A Bench comprising Judicial Member Sanjeev Gupta and Administrative Member Pragya Sahay Saksena further ordered that no coercive action shall be taken against the officer to compel him to join his new place of posting until his representation is decided.
Latif challenged Government Order No. 1443-JK (GAD) of 2026 dated August 25, 2026, under which his services were placed at the disposal of the Ladakh administration on deputation for two years or until recalled.
Appearing for the applicant, Advocate Sudershan Sharma submitted that Latif had already served a complete tenure in Ladakh as Assistant Labour Commissioner, Kargil, from 2003 to 2005. He contended that Clause 4.1 of Government Order No. 1458-JK (GAD) of 2022 bars the deputation of an employee to Ladakh for a second term after completing the prescribed two-year tenure.
The Tribunal was informed that the officer had submitted a representation on August 27, 2026, but no decision had been taken. Additional Advocate General Sudesh Magotra, appearing for the Government, sought time to file a reply.
Disposing of the application at the admission stage without entering into its merits, the CAT directed the respondents to treat the original application as the officer's representation and decide it through a reasoned and speaking order within two weeks. The decision shall also be communicated to the applicant. (JNF) |
