In Brief
R.D. Kaushal and others were Assistant Foreign Language Examiners (AFLEs) in the Cabinet Secretariat. Following the 5th Central Pay Commission, the Government merged the AFLE cadre with the Deputy Foreign Language Examiner (DFLE) cadre and redesignated both as Senior Interpreters in March 2008. However, a footnote preserved DFLEs' distinct identity until promotion. The CAT directed the Government to reconsider the merger without adverse impact on DFLEs. The Cabinet Secretariat later contradicted the CAT's direction. The CAT quashed this contradictory order; the High Court reversed the CAT. The Supreme Court held that since all appellants have retired, the issue is limited to terminal benefits. The Court directed benefits be calculated under the CAT's finalised directions, payable from January 2023, with interest at 6% per annum on terminal benefits from superannuation till payment, but no arrears of pension.
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