Fourth Kramonnati in Madhya Pradesh: the 01.07.2023 cut-off and the date of entitlement
Kramonnati, or samayman vetanman, is the time-bound higher pay scale given to employees who have stagnated in the same post. In Madhya Pradesh, the Fourth Kramonnati (chaturth samayman vetanman) is linked to the completion of 35 years of service.
The cut-off date
By the Finance Department order dated 14.08.2023, the Fourth Kramonnati was made effective from 01.07.2023. As a result, employees who had completed 35 years of service before that date, including many who had already retired, either received the benefit only from 01.07.2023 or did not receive it at all.
The grievance
The claim of these employees is that the benefit should run from the date on which each of them completed the qualifying service, and that a cut-off date which excludes employees with the same length of service raises a question of equality under Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. Retired employees also claim revision of pension on that basis, and family pensioners claim it on the late employee's qualifying service.
What the High Court has been doing
In a number of writ petitions at the Indore Bench, the High Court has directed the competent authorities to examine the claims of petitioners for the Fourth Kramonnati from the date of entitlement and to pass reasoned orders. The outcome then depends on the decision taken by the department, which can itself be challenged if it is unreasoned or contrary to the direction.
Documents needed
- appointment order and the date of first joining;
- orders granting the earlier kramonnati or time scales;
- retirement order and PPO, for retired employees;
- any representation already made and its reply.
This article is general information on the law as it stood when written. It is not legal advice. Every service matter turns on its own service record, rules and orders, which should be examined before any step is taken.