The central administrative tribunal (CAT), quashed two orders issued by the UT administration for allotment of government accommodation from the electricity pool and directed authorities to reconsider the applications of 24 employees transferred to Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL).
The employees had approached the tribunal challenging the allotment process after their applications for government accommodation were not considered on merits, while houses from the electricity pool were allotted to employees of other wings of the engineering department. The UT administration, however, maintained that employees transferred to CPDL could continue occupying government accommodation already allotted to them, subject to applicable rules, but could not claim fresh allotment, upgradation or a change of location. The tribunal held that the authorities were required to consider the applications in accordance with the applicable accommodation rules and instructions. It clarified that the decision did not confer an automatic right to government accommodation on the applicants. The UT administration authorities have been directed to assess each applicant’s eligibility, entitlement, category, seniority and other relevant parameters, and pass a reasoned order. They must also reconsider the eligibility and entitlement of employees who received allotments under the now-quashed orders, wherever required.
