In Brief
Combatised personnel of Assam Rifles challenged the withdrawal of Special (Duty) Allowance when Risk/Hardship Allowance was introduced. The High Court held that Special (Duty) Allowance, granted by Presidential sanction, could not be withdrawn by the Director General. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, holding that Special (Duty) Allowance is a compensatory allowance included in the 'existing package' covered by the Risk/Hardship Allowance scheme. Personnel must choose one or the other, not both. The Director General's order merely implemented the scheme as clarified by Government; no separate Presidential sanction was needed for withdrawal. No recovery would be made from amounts already paid.
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