Further, this arbitrary imposition under Clause 11 is in the teeth of the provisos to Sub Section (4) of Section 20 of the 2016 Act which read as under :
“Provided that, if an employee after acquiring disability is
not suitable for the post he was holding, shall be shifted to
some other post with the same pay scale and service benefits:
Provided further that if it is not possible to adjust the
employee against any post, he may be kept on a
supernumerary post until a suitable post is available or he
attains the age of superannuation, whichever is earlier.”
{Para 17}
18. The above provisos mandate that the Petitioners ought to be shifted to an alternative post with MSRTC with the same pay scale and service benefits and if it is not possible for MSRTC to adjust the Petitioners against any post immediately, they have to be kept on supernumerary posts until suitable posts are available or they attain the age of superannuation, whichever is earlier. This is a mandate under the 2016 Act and a statutory right granted to the Petitioners. This right cannot be violated by Clause 11 of the Impugned Circular. MSRTC has no right and is in fact prohibited from treating the intervening period between the medical examination and a decision thereon as leave without pay. The very idea of restoring an employee to a position with the same pay scale and service benefits which he or she held before dismissal or removal or termination of service implies that the employee will be put in the same position in which he would have been but for the action of termination taken by the employer.
19. In our opinion, the Petitioners’ reinstatement by MSRTC entitles the Petitioners to claim back wages in their entirety. The denial of back wages to the Petitioners who have suffered due
to their disability would amount to indirectly punishing the Petitioners concerned and rewarding MSRTC by relieving them of their obligation to pay back wages. This would be wholly inequitable and unjust. This would be in contravention of the 2016 Act, as also in contravention of the Constitution of India. As a result, we are of the considered opinion that Clause 11 of the Impugned Circular is ultra vires the 2016 Act, as also violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India. Therefore, we hereby quash and set-aside Clause 11 of the Impugned Circular.
20. Keeping in line with the mandate of Section 20 of the 2016 Act, we order and direct MSRTC to provide each one of the Petitioners with alternative posts having the same pay scale and service benefits as their earlier position.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
WRIT PETITION NO. 9762 OF 2019
Vikas Khanderao Keng, Vs The State of Maharashtra
CORAM: S.J. KATHAWALLA &
R.I.CHAGLA, JJ.
Dated : 16th JULY, 2020
Citation: 2021(2) MHLJ 131
JUDGMENT : ( PER S.J. KATHAWALLA, J.) :
1. These 14 Writ Petitions have been filed by 14 drivers of the Maharashtra
State Road Transport Corporation (“MSRTC”) whose services were discontinued by
MSRTC on the ground that they had been diagnosed with ‘colour blindness’. It is the
Petitioners’ grievance that subsequent to their discontinuance, they have neither been
provided with alternative jobs nor have they received any salaries for the last more
than 02 years, i.e. since 26th April, 2018.
2. The facts leading to the filing of the Petitions, are as under :
2.1. The Petitioners were appointed as drivers with MSRTC.
2.2. On 21st December, 2017, Respondent No.3 issued a letter to Bapaye Hospital
directing a routine check-up of the Petitioners.
2.3. Pursuant to the aforesaid check-up, Bapaye Hospital issued reports
recording that the Petitioners are diagnosed with Colour Vision Defect.
2.4. Following the above Reports issued by Bapaye Hospital, Respondent No.4
issued letters in 2018 to the Petitioners directing them to appear before J.J. Hospital
for a further eye examination.
2.5. Thereafter, tests were conducted at J.J. Hospital and reports came to be
issued.
2.6. In the Reports issued by J.J. Hospital, the Petitioners were once again stated
to be diagnosed with Colour Vision Defect along with a further statement that the
Petitioners’ are unfit to perform services with MSRTC as drivers.
2.7. All of the above led to various letters being issued by the Respondents to the
Petitioners terminating their services as a result of the Petitioners having been
diagnosed with colour blindness.
2.8. Following their termination, various letters were addressed by the
Petitioners to the Respondents requesting that they be provided with alternative
employment within MSRTC. The Petitioners pleaded that they have carried out their
services until date with an unblemished record and that their families depend upon the
Petitioners for their livelihood. The Petitioners further recorded that they have no
other source of income barring their employment by MSRTC.
2.9. The aforesaid requests for alternative service / employment came to be
rejected by MSRTC, which placed reliance upon a Circular dated 29th July, 2016
issued by MSRTC (“2016 Impugned Circular”). Under the 2016 Impugned
Circular, once a driver has been declared unfit by reason of colour blindness, such
driver is not entitled to an alternative service or job with MSRTC.
2.10. The 2016 Impugned Circular was therefore assailed by the Petitioners in the
Writ Petitions. It was the Petitioners’ case that the 2016 Impugned Circular was
unconstitutional and violated the Petitioners’ rights under the Constitution of India,
whilst also being ultra vires the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities,
Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 ("1995 Act") and the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ("2016 Act").
2.11. During the pendency of these Writ Petitions, recognizing the defect in the
2016 Impugned Circular, MSRTC, by an Office Order dated 7th October, 2019,
constituted a Committee to submit a report and prescribe guidelines for compliance
with the provisions of Section 47 of the 1995 Act.
2.12. During the pendency of the Writ Petitions, on 25th November, 2019, whilst
noting that MSRTC had taken sufficient time in formulating its new guidelines, this
Court passed the following Order :
“1. The above 13 Writ Petitions are filed by the drivers of the
Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation ( for short
“MSRTC”) whose services have been discontinued by the
MSRTC on the ground that they are suffering from colour
blindness and are neither given any alternate jobs nor any
payment towards salary since 26th April, 2018. It appears that
MSRTC is taking its own time in forming guidelines with
regard to offering alternate jobs to these drivers. In view thereof,
these employee's have no income since 26th April,2018 because of
which they are unable to take care of themselves as well as the
members of their respective families.
2. The Respondent MSRTC needs to be sensitive towards the
problems faced by these drivers and their dependents by offering
alternate jobs to them and start paying them their monthly salary
to enable them to take care of their family members including old
parents and their children who are still attending schools/colleges.
The Managing Director of the MSRTC shall himself file his
affidavit on 2nd December, 2019 and inform the Court as to what
steps MSRTC has decided to take in the matter and as to when
these drivers shall get alternate jobs / their monthly salary. The
Divisional Controller shall remain present in this Court on 2nd
December, 2019 so that an amicable arrangement can be worked
out.
3. Stand over to 2nd December, 2019, High on Board.”.
2.13. On 2nd December, 2019, the following Order came to be passed :
“1. The learned Advocate appearing for the MSRTC states that
he has spoken to Mr. Ranjit Singh Deol, Vice Chairman and
Managing Director of MSRTC and Mr. Deol has asked him to
convey his undertaking to this Court that the report will be
finalized by the Committee and placed before the Board of
Directors of MSRTC within a period of four weeks from today
and no further extension will be sought on any ground
whatsoever. The undertaking is accepted.
2. The learned Advocate appearing for the Petitioners states
that Mr. Kailas Sudam Kale – Petitioner in Writ Petition (L)
No.23225 of 2019 has made an application to MSRTC to allow
him to withdraw 50% of his provident fund amount since the
marriage of his daughter is fixed on 11th December, 2019. The
said application shall be sympathetically considered by the
MSRTC and the decision shall be conveyed to Mr. Kailas S.
Kale on or before 5th December, 2019. If the Application of Mr.
Kale is allowed, the amount shall be forthwith paid to him i.e.
by 6th December, 2019.
3. Stand over to 3rd January, 2020.”
2.14. Again on 10th January 2020, the following Order was passed :
“xxx
2. Thereafter, on 2nd December, 2019 an Undertaking was
given to the Court on behalf of the MSRTC that the Committee,
which is formed to look into the issues pertaining to problems
faced by the employee of the MSRTC will be placed before the
Board of Directors within a period of four weeks. The Report was
filed with the Managing Director of MSRTC on 19th December,
2019. The Transport Minister is the Chairman of the Board of
the MSRTC. It is submitted that since the Government is
recently formed in the State, the Board shall now take a call on
the report submitted to the Board. We therefore direct the Board
of Directors of the MSRTC to consider the report and convey its
decision to this Court within a period of four weeks from today.
3. A copy of this order shall be forthwith served to the Minister of
Transport who is the Chairman of the Board of MSRTC.
4. Stand over to 31st January, 2020”.
2.15. As recorded hereinabove, the Committee constituted by MSRTC
submitted / filed its Report with the Managing Director of MSRTC on 19th December,
2019 (“MSRTC Report”). Based upon the said Report, MSRTC issued a Circular
on 23rd January 2020 (“Impugned Circular”) superseding the 2016 Impugned
Circular.
2.16. The Impugned Circular broadly provides as under :
a. Disabilities are of two categories, viz. (i) colour blindness and; (ii) being medically unfit.
b. The Impugned Circular provides for the procedure for conducting tests
to identify the category of colour blindness. The Impugned Circular additionally
provides whether or not the person diagnosed with a particular category of colour
blindness is fit to continue and carry out his task as a driver with MSRTC.
c. The guidelines further provide that after such examination, a person
who can continue and a person who is not eligible to continue to work as a driver,
would be accommodated by MSRTC in another position viz. a labourer, peon, guesthouse
attendant, cook etc.
d. Clause 11 of the Impugned Circular and the one which is germane to
these Writ Petitions, provides that after an employee is diagnosed with a disability, the
matter would be examined and until such examination is complete and a decision is
taken about the fitness of the employee or his alternate employment, the intervening
period would be treated as leave without pay and the earned leave on the earlier job
would be carried forward to the new job.
2.17. Considering that the scope of the Writ Petitions had expanded as a result
of the Impugned Circular, at the hearing of the Petitions on 31st January, 2020, this
Court passed the following Order :
“The Learned Advocate appearing for the Petitioners states
that he has instructions to impugn only clause 11 of the new
Circular dated 23rd January, 2020. He is therefore allowed to
amend the above Writ Petitions to that extent within a period of
two weeks from today. The tests of all the fourteen Petitioners
shall be carried out within a period of two weeks from today, as
per the Circular dated 23rd January, 2020. Stand over to 14th
February, 2020.”
2.18. Pursuant to the aforesaid liberty granted by this Court, the Writ Petitions
came to be amended to incorporate a challenge to Clause 11 of the Impugned Circular,
inter alia on the ground that Clause 11 of the Impugned Circular is ultra vires Section
20 of the 2016 Act.
3. Appearing for the Petitioners, Ld. Advocate Mr. K.N. Shermale
submitted that the Impugned Circular is (i) unconstitutional and violative of Articles
14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution of India; and (ii) ultra vires the provisions of the 2016
Act and particularly Section 20 thereof (Section 47 of the 1995 Act). Therefore,
according to Mr. Shermale, the Petitioners are entitled to a writ ordering and declaring
that Clause 11 of the Impugned Circular is arbitrary and illegal. Further, that MSRTC
ought to be ordered and directed to pay back wages to the Petitioners from the date
their services were terminated until such time that the Petitioners are provided with
alternative jobs by MSRTC in compliance with the 2016 Act.
4. Appearing for MSRTC, Mr. Nitesh Bhutekar submitted that under
Clause No.4 of the 2016 Impugned Circular, once a driver has been declared unfit by
reason of colour blindness, such driver is not entitled to an alternative service or job
with MSRTC. Therefore, the Petitioners’ services were terminated by MSRTC. He
further submitted that in or around 2019, it became necessary for MSRTC to frame a
policy which is without ambiguity and vagueness, on the basis of which policy,
MSRTC can take decisions with respect to the disabled employees whilst safeguarding
the interests of MSRTC. That on 7th October, 2019, a committee was constituted to
suggest a proper procedure to be followed by MSRTC in respect of the disabled
employees mainly to implement Section 47 of the 1995 Act (Section 20 of the 2016
Act). During the pendency of the Writ Petitions, MSRTC came out with the
Impugned Circular, pursuant to which the Writ Petitions were amended to assail
Clause 11 of the Impugned Circular.
5. It is noted that MSRTC has not filed an additional Affidavit in Reply to
the amended Writ Petitions to deal with the challenge to Clause 11 of the Impugned
Circular.
6. Dr. Milind Sathe, the Learned Senior Advocate appearing as amicuscuriae
took this Court through the 1995 Act and the 2016 Act. He also took us through
various decisions of the Supreme Court of India, this Court, the Delhi High Court,
the Madras High Court and the Allahabad High Court, which Courts have had the
occasion to consider the aforesaid legislations. On the basis of the law laid down in
these decisions and in the facts of the present matter, Dr. Sathe put forth the following
submissions :
6.1. Clause 11 of the Impugned Circular is ultra vires the 2016 Act as well as
violative of Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
6.2. The orders of termination of services of the Petitioners are liable to be
set aside.
6.3. MSRTC ought to be directed to reinstate the Petitioners in service with
alternate jobs, as indicated in the Disability Certificates issued to the Petitioners,
within a period of 4 weeks.
6.4. MSRTC ought to be directed to pay back wages from the date of
discontinuation of services of the Petitioners as drivers, till they resume as employees
of MSRTC on the new / alternate jobs.
7. Prior to dealing with the legality and/or validity of the Impugned
Circular, we propose to first deal with the legal framework relevant to the present
matter. This would be the 2016 Act and the 1995 Act. Firstly, it is pertinent to note
that prior to the enactment of the 2016 Act, the issue of providing equal opportunities
and protection of rights to persons with disabilities was covered under the 1995 Act.
Section 47 of the 1995 Act under Chapter VII with the heading “non-discrimination”,
provided that there shall be no discrimination in Government employment. Section 47
reads thus :
"47. Non-discrimination in Government
employment.- (1) No establishment shall dispense with
or reduce in rank, an employee who acquires a disability
during his service.
Provided that, if an employee, after acquiring disability
is not suitable for the post he was holding, could be
shifted to some other post with the same pay scale and
service benefits.
Provided further that if it is not possible to adjust the
employee against any post, he may be kept on a
supernumerary post until a suitable post is available or
he attains the age of superannuation, whichever is
earlier.
(2) No promotion shall be denied to a person merely on
the ground of his disability:
Provided that the appropriate Government may, having
regard to the type of work carried on in any
establishment, by notification and subject to such
conditions, if any, as may be specified in such
notification, exempt any establishment from the
provisions of this section.”
8. On 13th December, 2006, the United Nations General Assembly adopted
a Convention on "Rights of Persons with Disabilities". India is a signatory to this
Convention which it ratified on 1st October 2007. Realizing the requirement to protect
the rights of the persons with disabilities and India’s commitment to the Convention
of the United Nations General Assembly, the Legislature repealed the 1995 Act and
brought in the 2016 Act to give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
9. Considering the scope of these Writ Petitions, we deem it appropriate to
reproduce the Preamble of the 2016 Act, which reads thus :
“An Act to give effect to the United Nations Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and for
matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Whereas the United Nations General Assembly adopted
its Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
on the 13th day of December, 2006;
And whereas the aforesaid Convention lays down the
following principles for empowerment of persons with
disabilities,
(a) respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy
including the freedom to make one's own choices, and
independence of persons;
(b) non-discrimination;
(c) full and effective participation and inclusion in
society;
(d) respect for difference and acceptance of persons with
disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity;
(e) equality of opportunity;
( f ) accessibility;
(g) equality between men and women;
(h) respect for the evolving capacities of children with
disabilities and respect for the right of children with
disabilities to preserve their identities;
And whereas India is a signatory to the said
Convention;
And whereas India ratified the said Convention on the
1st day of October, 2007;
And whereas it is considered necessary to implement the
Convention aforesaid.
Be it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-seventh Year of
the Republic of India as follows:”
As can be discerned from the aforesaid Preamble, the 2016 Act is a beneficial
Legislation that prioritizes and recognizes the benefits provided for under the 2016
Act. As compared to the 1995 Act, the 2016 Act confers higher benefits and provides
for additional categories of disability that it seeks to protect. In addition, it emphasises
the right to equality of opportunity, access to justice and various other rights such as
free education, etc. In our opinion, the interpretation and construction of any
provisions of the 2016 Act would therefore have to be in aid of and in furtherance of
this legislative intent.
10. In order to assess the scope and intent of the 2016 Act, it would also be
necessary to reproduce the following definitions and provisions from the 2016 Act :
"2(k) ‘Government establishment' means a
corporation established by or under a Central Act or
State Act or an authority or a body owned or controlled
or aided by the Government or a local authority or a
Government company as defined in section 2 of the
Companies Act, 2013 and includes a Department of the
Government."
"2(r) 'Person with benchmark disability' means a
person with not less than forty per cent of a specified
disability where specified disability has not been defined
in measurable terms and includes a person with
disability where specified disability has been defined in
measurable terms, as certified by the certifying
authority."
“2(s) 'Person with disability' means a person with
long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory
impairment which, in interaction with barriers, hinders
his full and effective participation in society equally
with others."
"2(t) 'Person with disability having high support
needs' means a person with benchmark disability
certified under clause (a) of sub-section (2) of section 58
who needs high support"
"2( y) 'Reasonable accommodation' means necessary
and appropriate modification and adjustments, without
imposing a disproportionate or undue burden in a
particular case, to ensure to persons with disabilities the
enjoyment or exercise of rights equally with others."
"2(za) 'Rehabilitation' refers to a process aimed at
enabling persons with disabilities to attain and
maintain optimal, physical, sensory, intellectual,
psychological environmental or social function levels."
"20. Non-discrimination in employment.- (1) No
Government establishment shall discriminate
against any person with disability in any matter
relating to employment:
Provided that the appropriate Government may, having
regard to the type of work carried on in any
establishment, by notification and subject to such
conditions, if any, exempt any establishment from the
provisions of this section.
(2) Every Government establishment shall provide
reasonable accommodation and appropriate barrier
free and conducive environment to employees with
disability.
(3) No promotion shall be denied to a person merely
on the ground of disability.
(4) No Government establishment shall dispense
with or reduce in rank, an employee who acquires a
disability during his or her service:
Provided that, if an employee after acquiring
disability is not suitable for the post he was
holding, shall be shifted to some other post with the
same pay scale and service benefits:
Provided further that if it is not possible to adjust
the employee against any post, he may be kept on a
supernumerary post until a suitable post is
available or he attains the age of superannuation,
whichever is earlier.
(5) The appropriate Government may frame policies for
posting and transfer of employees with disabilities. "
(emphasis supplied)
As can be seen from the aforesaid provisions, a person diagnosed with a disability
cannot be subjected to discrimination, if such disability was acquired during the course
of employment. If a person suffers from disability acquired during the course of
employment, the Government establishment is required to provide reasonable
accommodation and also an appropriate barrier free and conducive environment to the
employee. The person diagnosed with a disability shall not be denied any promotion
merely on the ground of such disability, nor shall the services of such a person be
dispensed with, or he be reduced in rank on account of such disability. On acquiring
such disability, if the person is considered to be unsuitable for the job he was employed
for, such person is to be employed/absorbed in any other post and if no such post is
available, he is to be kept on supernumerary post, until a suitable post is made
available or until he attains the age of superannuation, whichever is earlier.
11. The 1995 Act as well as the 2016 Act have been discussed and analysed
in a series of decisions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, as well as in the
decisions of the various High Courts.
i. In the case of Nandkumar Narayanrao Godhmare V/s. State of
Maharashtra & Ors.1, the Appellant was handicapped because of colour blindness.
Though he was selected by the Public Service Commission his appointment was not
made on account of his handicap. He approached the Maharashtra Administrative
Tribunal (‘MAT’) by filing Original Application No. 884 of 1993, which was disposed
off against him by a Judgment and Order dated 20 th February, 1994. In the Civil
Appeal filed by him, the Hon’ble Supreme Court granted him relief by directing the
Respondents to provide him with an alternative post. The Order of the Hon’ble
Supreme Court is reproduced hereunder :
“1. Leave granted.
2. Admittedly, the appellant is handicapped because of colourblindness.
He was admittedly selected by the Public Service
Commission but appointment could not be made on account of
his handicap. When the matter came up on 27-3-1995, this
Court, while issuing notice, passed order as follows :
“Petitioner should also give the nature of the duties he has to
perform and whether his colour-blindness would interfere with
the discharge of his duties. Respondents also would state in this
behalf of their stand. If it is needed, they can also send the
petitioner for medical examination by an expert Government
Ophthalmologist or Board.”
Despite the order, the Government took no action in that behalf.
On the other hand, the appellant had filed on 2-5-1995 an
affidavit detailing that as per the information he had secured,
there were 35 posts in the Department and only five posts
1 (1995) 6 Supreme Court Cases 720
required perfect vision without colour-blindness. Those five posts
are mentioned in the affidavit. In other posts, colour-blindness
was not an impediment for him to be appointed.
3. Under these circumstances, we deem it just and proper that
the Government should consider the case of the appellant to be
appointed to any of the posts of Agricultural Officer of Class II
Service other than the 5 posts mentioned by him in his affidavit.
The appellant should enclose a copy of this affidavit filed before
us to the Department concerned for considering his case.
Appointment should be made within two months from the date
of the receipt of this order.
4. The appeal is allowed. No costs.”
ii. In the case of Kunal Singh V/s. Union of India & Anr.2 , the Appellant
was recruited as a constable in the Special Service Bureau (‘SSB’). When he was on
duty, he suffered an injury in his left leg which had to be amputated on account of
gangrene, which had developed from the injury. By an Order dated 20th November,
1998, he was invalidated from service by the Respondents on the basis of the report of
the Medical Board, Kullu, under which he was declared permanently incapacitated for
further service. He therefore filed the Writ Petition before the High Court of H.P. at
Shimla, challenging the validity and correctness of the said Order. The said Writ
Petition was dismissed by the High Court by its Judgment and Order dated 21st April,
1999, holding that he had been permanently invalidated on the basis of the medical
2 (2003) 4 Supreme Court Cases 524
opinion and as such there was no scope for him to continue any further in service of
any kind in SSB. The Appellant impugned the Judgment and Order of the High Court
by filing Civil Appeal No. 1789 of 2000 before the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The said
Civil Appeal was allowed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court on 13th February, 2003 with a
direction to the Respondent employer to give reliefs to the Appellant in terms of
Section 47 of the 1995 Act. The relevant extracts of paragraphs 9 and 12 of the
Judgment and Order dated 13th February, 2003 are reproduced hereunder :
“9…………..An employee, who acquires disability during his
service, is sought to be protected under Section 47 of the Act
specifically. Such employee, acquiring disability, if not
protected, would not only suffer himself, but possibly all those
who depend on him would also suffer. The very frame and
contents of Section 47 clearly indicate its mandatory nature.
The very opening part of the section reads “no establishment
shall dispense with, or reduce in rank, an employee who acquires
a disability during his service”. The section further provides
that if an employee after acquiring disability is not suitable for
the post he was holding, could be shifted to some other post with
the same pay scale and service benefits; if it is not possible to
adjust the employee against any post he will be kept on a
supernumerary post until a suitable post is available or he
attains the age of superannuation, whichever is earlier. Added
to this no promotion shall be denied to a person merely on the
ground of his disability as is evident from sub-section (2) of
Section 47. Section 47 contains a clear directive that the
employer shall not dispense with or reduce in rank an employee
who acquires a disability during the service. In construing a
provision of a social beneficial enactment that too dealing with
disabled persons intended to give them equal opportunities,
protection of rights and full participation, the view that
advances the object of the Act and serves its purpose must be
preferred to the one which obstructs the object and paralyses the
purpose of the Act. Language of Section 47 is plain and certain
casting statutory obligation on the employer to protect an
employee acquiring disability during service.
12. Merely because under Rule 38 of the CCS (Pension) Rules,
1972, the appellant got invalidity pension is no ground to deny
the protection mandatorily made available to the appellant
under Section 47 of the Act. Once it is held that the appellant
has acquired disability during his service and if found not
suitable for the post he was holding, he could be shifted to some
other post with same pay scale and service benefits; if it was not
possible to adjust him against any post, he could be kept on a
supernumerary post until a suitable post was available or he
attains the age of superannuation, whichever is earlier. It
appears no such efforts were made by the respondents. They have
proceeded to hold that he was permanently incapacitated to
continue in service without considering the effect of other
provisions of Section 47 of the Act.”
iii. In the case of Anil Kumar Mahajan V/s. Union of India & Ors.3, the
Appellant, an IAS Officer, was appointed in the service of Government of Bihar on 12th
3 (2013) 7 Supreme Court Cases 243
July, 1977. From 17th February, 1988 to 20th February, 1988, whilst he was posted as
Additional Secretary – cum – Editor of the State Gazetteer, Bihar at Patna, he was
placed under suspension and thereafter by an Order dated 24th February, 1988, his
suspension was continued till further orders. The Order of suspension was revoked
only on 24th February, 1990. He had moved the Central Administrative Tribunal,
Patna Bench in Original Application No. 288 of 1991 and Original Application No. 238
of 1991, seeking various reliefs, which were granted in his favour, by orders dated 22nd
June, 1992 and 10th October, 1992 respectively. He was again placed under suspension
on 20th May, 1993 and subjected to departmental enquiry by the Member, Board of
Revenue and Enquiry Officer, who framed charges against him. In the departmental
enquiry, an allegation was made that the Appellant was mentally sick. Allegations of
indiscipline, being irresponsible and misbehaviour were also made against him. The
finding given in the enquiry which went on for about 11 years, was that the Appellant
was insane and an Order of compulsory retirement was passed on 15th October, 2007.
The Appellant filed a Writ Petition before the Delhi High Court, which was dismissed
as withdrawn by his Advocate. The Appellant had also preferred an application being
OA No. 2784 of 2008 before the Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench,
New Delhi, wherein he challenged the departmental proceedings. No reliefs were
granted therein in favour of the Appellant. In the SLP filed by the Appellant before
the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the Supreme Court whilst analyzing the various
provisions of the 1995 Act, more particularly Section 47, interalia held that there is
prohibition imposed under Section 47 to dispense with, or reduce in rank, an
employee who acquires a disability during his service. The Hon’ble Supreme Court
also held that even if it is presumed that the Appellant had become insane, as held by
the Enquiry Officer, mental illness being one of the disabilities under Section 2(i) of
the 1995 Act, under Section 47 it was not open to the Respondents to dispense with, or
reduce in rank, the Appellant who acquired a disability during his service. Since at the
time of hearing the matter before the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the year 2013, the
Appellant was superannuated from service (i.e. on 31st July, 2012), the Hon’ble
Supreme Court observed that there was no question of reinstatement of the Appellant.
However, the Hon’ble Supreme Court proceeded to set aside the Order of compulsory
retirement of the Appellant dated 15th October, 2007, passed by the Respondent; the
Order dated 22nd December, 2008 passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal,
Principal Bench, New Delhi in O.A. No. 2784 of 2008 and the Order dated 20th April,
2010 passed by the High Court of Delhi, and remitted the case to the Respondents,
with a direction to treat the Appellant as continued in service till the date of his
superannuation and to pay him his full salary minus the subsistence allowance already
received for the period from the date of initiation of departmental proceedings till the
date of compulsory retirement. Further, the Respondents were directed to pay to the
Appellant his full salary from the date of compulsory retirement till the date of
superannuation in view of the first and second provisos to Section 47 of the 1995 Act.
Paragraphs 20, 21 and 22 of the said decision are relevant and reproduced hereunder :
“20. The appellant was appointed in the service of the
respondents as an IAS Officer and joined in the year 1977. He
served for 30 years till the order of his compulsory retirement
was issued on 15-10-2007. It is not the case of the respondents
that the appellant was insane and in spite of that he was
appointed as an IAS Officer in 1977. Therefore, even if it is
presumed that the appellant became insane, as held by the
enquiry officer, mental illness being one of the disabilities under
Section 2(i) of the 1995 Act, under Section 47 it was not open to
the respondents to dispense with, or reduce in rank of the
appellant, who acquired a disability during his service. If the
appellant, after acquiring disability was not suitable for the post
he was holding, should have been shifted to some other post with
the same pay scale and service benefits. Further, if it was not
possible to adjust the appellant against any post, the respondents
ought to have kept the appellant on a supernumerary post until
a suitable post is available or, until the appellant attained the
age of superannuation whichever was earlier.
21. In view of the aforesaid finding, we are of the view that it
was not open to the authorities to dispense with the service of the
appellant or to compulsorily retire him from service. The High
Court also failed to notice the relevant facts and without going
into the merits allowed the counsel to withdraw the writ petition
merely on the basis of the finding of the enquiry officer. In fact
the High Court ought to have referred the matter to a Medical
Board to find out whether the appellant was insane and if so
found, in that case instead of dismissing the case as withdrawn,
the matter should have been decided on merits by appointing an
advocate as amicus curiae.
22. It is informed at the Bar that in normal course the appellant
would have superannuated from service on 31-7-2012. In that
view of the matter, now there is no question of reinstatement of
the appellant though he may be entitled for consequential
benefits including arrears of pay. Having regard to the facts and
finding given above, we have no other option but to set aside the
order of compulsory retirement of the appellant dated 15-10-
2007 passed by the respondents; the order dated 22-12-2008
passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal
Bench, New Delhi in OA No. 2784 of 2008 and the impugned
order dated 20-4-2010 passed by the High Court of Delhi in
Anil Kumar Mahajan v. Union of India [Anil Kumar
Mahajan v. Union of India, WP (C) No. 2622 of 2010, decided
on 20-4-2010 (Del)] and the case is remitted to the respondents
with a direction to treat the appellant as continued in the service
till the date of his superannuation. The appellant shall be paid
full salary minus the subsistence allowance already received for
the period from the date of initiation of departmental proceeding
on the ground that he was suffering from mental illness till the
date of compulsory retirement. The appellant shall also be
provided with full salary from the date of compulsory retirement
till the date of superannuation in view of the first and second
provisos to Section 47 of the 1995 Act. If the appellant has
already been superannuated, he will also be entitled to full
retiral benefits counting the total period in service. The benefits
shall be paid to the appellant within three months, else the
respondents will be liable to pay interest at the rate of 6% per
annum from the date the amount was due, till the actual
payment.”
iv. In the case of Vishnu s/o. Shahurao Bangar V/s. The Divisional
Controller & Ors.4 the Petitioner, a Bus Conductor, was on duty when he met with an
accident and lost both his legs. By communication dated 24th January, 2008, the
MSRTC Management concluded that the Petitioner was unfit to perform his duties
and his service was terminated. Thereafter, the MSRTC issued a letter dated 2nd
February, 2009 stating that the Petitioner would be considered to be on leave without
pay from 25th January, 2008 to 13th January, 2009 and he would be re-employed by the
said Order to work as a Peon. The Petitioner was considered to be in employment only
with effect from 14th February, 2009. The Petitioner approached the Labour Court
interalia contending that he was not paid his wages from 24th January, 2008 till 13th
January, 2009, on the ground that the said period was treated as leave without pay.
The Labour Court by its Judgment dated 26th December, 2018 held that the claim of
the Petitioner was not maintainable, as there was no pre-existing right and there was
no pre-adjudication. The Petitioner impugned the Judgment passed by the Labour
Court before this Court at its Aurangabad Bench, when the Advocate for the MSTRC
strenuously submitted on instructions that the MSTRC had issued a Circular dated
10th September, 2008, clause (3) of which provides that an employee who had suffered
disability would be deemed to be on leave without wages for the period during which
4 Writ Petition No. 3772 of 2019
he was out of employment. The Learned Single Judge whilst recording the insensitive
conduct of the MSRTC towards its employee and his anguish qua the Circular of
MSRTC dated 10th September, 2008, interalia directed the MSRTC to pay to the
Petitioner wages due to him for the period 24th January, 2008 to 13th January, 2009.
Paragraphs 3, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are relevant and reproduced hereunder :
“3. This case is an example of the MSRTC showing
insensitivity and apathy towards an employee, who has suffered
an accident while on duty, arising out of and in the course of his
employment, squarely covered by the Employee's Compensation
Act, 1923, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and
the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection
of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (1 of 1996).
7. The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities,
Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (1 of
1996) defines a disability u/s 2(t), by which a person, who is
suffering from a disability not less than 40% shall be considered
eligible for an alternate employment. The provisions of the said
Act clearly indicate that an employee, as like this petitioner,
should have been immediately granted alternate employment,
the date on which he had reported for duties after being
discharged from the hospital and declared to be fit to undertake
an alternate suitable employment. This being the law and an
obligation on the part of the MSRTC, could have been
considered by the Labour Court purely for calculating the nonpayment
of wages.
11. It is, therefore, obvious that the Management has refused to
give work to the petitioner
for the period 24/01/2008 till 13/01/2009 and he was deemed
to have been reinstated on 14/01/2009. He would be entitled for
his last drawn wage as would have been payable to him as a Bus
Conductor, had he been in employment in January 2008.
Under the 1996 Act, his last pay has to be protected. This also
was lost sight of by the Labour Court.
12.In view of the above, this petition is partly allowed.
Application (IDA) No.2/2012 is partly allowed. The
respondent/Corporation is liable to pay an amount of
Rs.2,74,534/- by way of compensation for the period
11/11/2002 up to 24/01/2008, by adjusting the amounts which
have already been paid to the petitioner. This amount shall be
paid within 8 (eight) weeks from today.
13. In so far as his termination from 24/01/2008 and
subsequent re-employment is concerned, it would presume that
there is continuity of service and he is entitled to his salary as
was payable to him in January 2008. The
respondent/Corporation shall therefore calculate his salary from
24/01/2008 till 13/01/2009 and shall pay the said amount
within 8 weeks from today, failing which, the Vice Chairman
and Managing Director, Mumbai/respondent No.2 shall pay
interest @ 6% from January 2009 till the amount is paid, from
his own salary account, since he is the sanctioning authority.
14. Before I part with this matter, I am recording my anguish
about the Corporation having relied upon a circular dated
10/9/2008. The policy devised by the Corporation, concerning
the unfortunate employees who have suffered disabilities on
account of the act of nature or by way of an accident and for
which they cannot be held personally liable, demonstrates
insensitivity on the part of the Corporation. I can understand a
case wherein an employee is a drunkard or is addicted to vices
and on account of his own conduct, has invited illness. He can
be treated differently without showing any sympathy. However,
the employees who have suffered disabilities for no fault on their
part or have suffered an accident leading to disabilities, will
have to be treated with more sensitivity and a human touch.
15. Considering the above, the learned Registrar (Judicial) of
this Court is directed to place a copy of this judgment before the
Hon'ble Cabinet Minister for Transport in the State of
Maharashtra, who is ex-officio Chairman of the MSRTC, to
adopt steps to ensure that the said policy is properly devised in
order to take care of such employees, who have suffered accidents
and disabilities, more so, keeping in view the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities Act, 2016.”
v. In the case of Union of India and Ors. V/s. Pramod Sadashiv Thakre5,
the Respondent was appointed as Civil Mechanical Transport Driver by the
Petitioner – employer, after being found fit by the Authority on the basis of a medical
certificate issued by the Civil Surgeon. On 29th August, 2005, his services were
terminated on the ground that he was found to be suffering from colour blindness.
Aggrieved by the said Order, the Respondent approached the Central Administrative
Tribunal. The Tribunal vide its Order dated 24th February, 2011, held that the
5 2012 (1) Mh. L.J. ) 738
impugned order of termination passed by the Petitioner – employer is in violation of
the provisions of the Section 47 of the 1995 Act. The Petitioners impugned the Order
of the Tribunal before this Court at its Nagpur Bench. It was argued before the Court
by the Learned Advocate appearing for the Petitioners, that the services of the
Respondent cannot be said to be protected by Section 47 of the 1995 Act, since that
Section protects only a person who has acquired disability during the course of his
employment. It was submitted that the Respondent’s colour blindness is congenital,
as colour blindness is, and must have been there even when the Respondent was
initially appointed. This Court rejected the aforesaid contention of the Advocate
appearing for the Petitioners and held that the Respondent incurred disability during
the course of his employment and his services are liable to be protected and dismissed
the Writ Petition. Paragraphs 5 and 6 of the Judgment dated 19th October, 2011 are
relevant and reproduced hereunder :
“5. We have no doubt that if the respondent was Colour Blind
from birth and continued to be so when he was employed, he
could not have been said to be a person who acquired any
disability in the course of his employment. However, in the
present case, there is no evidence to that effect. In the first place,
no medical evidence is placed on record to establish that colour
blindness can only be congenital and cannot be acquired.
Secondly, there is no evidence that the respondent was Colour
Blind when he was employed. On the other hand, the petitioners
accepted the respondent's fitness by relying on the certificate
granted to him by Civil Surgeon, Nagpur who certified him as
normal. The certificate that he was normal must be taken to
refer to every functional aspect of the respondent including his
eyesight. We are informed that the petitioners do not and in any
case did not insist for a proforma in which medical fitness
entries to be recorded and do not appear to have referred back
the respondent's case for considering whether his vision was
normal or he is Colour Blind neither did the petitioners
administer any test to the respondent for determining whether
he is Colour Blind. The petitioners can hardly claim to have
established that the respondent was Colour Blind from birth
and, therefore, also Colour Blind on the date of employment.
We are, therefore, of the view that respondent is entitled to
protection by the Act. It was, however, urged by Mr. Sundaram,
learned counsel for the petitioners, that the respondent's services
cannot be protected by section 47 of the Act since the respondent
was a temporary employee on probation. Section 47 of the Act,
reproduced above, protects the services of an employee and
makes no distinction between the nature of the services it
protects. The purpose and intention of the provisions is to protect
an employee from unemployment on the ground that he has
incurred disability. Parliament has in its wisdom accommodated
the possibility that an employee may not be able to discharge the
duties of office prescribed for him and to that effect a provision
has been made that an employee shall be employed in some other
post with same benefits.
6. In the circumstances, we are of the view that the respondent
incurred disability during the course of his employment and his
services are liable to be protected. The order of termination,
which is made only on the ground that the respondent has been
found to be Colour Blind is rightly quashed and set aside by the
Central Administrative Tribunal.
We Find no merit in the petition. The same is, therefore,
dismissed.”
vi. In the case of Arvind S/o. Shankarrao Khodke V/s. The Regional Director
of Municipal Administration, Nagpur Division, Nagpur6, the Petitioner was qualified
for appointment to the post of Assistant Teacher and was appointed as such by the
Respondent Municipal Council on 2nd August, 1985. The Petitioner had a fall on 19th
October, 2002 and suffered brain injury. He resumed service on 2nd May, 2003, after
he was declared ‘fit’ by the Medical Board. Thereafter, on two occasions he was
declared ‘medically fit’ to perform his duties. The Petitioner was thereafter
suspended from service by an Order dated 19th - 25th April, 2005 and was again
referred to the Medical Board. The Medical Board in October-November, 2005
certified that the Petitioner was not fit to carry out his duties as Assistant Teacher but
was fit to carry out duties of a clerical nature. Thereupon the Petitioner was
compulsorily retired from service by an Order dated 2nd December, 2005. After his
suspension and before he was compulsorily retired, the Petitioner had filed a revision
Application before the Regional Director of the Municipal Administration. The
Revision filed by the Petitioner was dismissed. The Petitioner challenged the order of
dismissal passed by the Regional Director of the Municipal Administration and the
6 Judgment dated 10th January, 2017 passed in Writ Petition No. 3496 of 2007
Order dated 2nd December, 2005, whereby he was compulsorily retired before this
Court at its Nagpur Bench. This Court after referring to the provisions of Section 47
of the 1995 Act, set aside the Order of compulsory retirement and directed the
Municipal Council to reinstate the Petitioner in service and grant him an alternate job
which he could effectively attend. This Court also made it clear that if the
Respondent Municipal Council had no vacancy, the Petitioner shall be adjusted
against a post which may be supernumerary, until a suitable post is available or till he
attains the age of superannuation, in terms of the second proviso to Section 47 (1) of
the 1995 Act. However, the Court declined to accept the submission made on behalf
of the Petitioner that the Petitioner would be entitled to the entire arrears of salary and
other monetary benefits for the period during which he was out of service, on the
ground that the Petitioner had at no point of time requested any of the authorities to
permit him to perform a clerical job and to protect the pay / wages of the Petitioner.
The following are the relevant extracts from the said Judgment :
“5………..Though the petitioner was not 'fit' for doing the job of
Assistant Teacher, according to the opinion of the Medical Board,
the petitioner was 'fit' to perform the duties of clerical nature.
The Municipal Council was obliged, in view of the provisions of
Section 47 of the Act to give an alternate job to the petitioner and
protect his pay scale. Instead of complying with the provisions of
section 47 of the Act, the Municipal Council illegally dispensed
with the services of the petitioner solely on the ground that the
petitioner was not 'fit' for performing his duties as an Assistant
Teacher. It is rightly submitted on behalf of the petitioner that the
services of an employee cannot be dispensed with, and if an
employee is not suitable for performance of the duties of the post
that he is holding after acquiring the disability, he should be
shifted to some other post with the same pay scale and service
benefits. Instead of asking the petitioner to perform the duties of a
clerk or any other job which the petitioner could have performed,
the Chief Officer of the Municipal Council illegally terminated
the services of the petitioner by passing the order of compulsory
retirement. Unfortunately, the petitioner did not canvass before
the Regional Director of Municipal Administration that he was
entitled to remain in service, if not as an Assistant Teacher on
some other post, in view of the provisions of section 47 of the Act.
The provisions of the Act were not brought to the notice of the
authority and hence without considering the provisions of the
Act, the authority dismissed the revision filed by the petitioner by
considering the other submissions made on behalf of the parties.
6. Though in the circumstances of the case, a direction to the
respondent - Municipal Council to reinstate the petitioner on
some other post would be necessary, we are not inclined to accept
the submission made on behalf of the petitioner that the
petitioner would be entitled to the entire arrears of salary and the
other monetary benefits for the period during which he was out of
service. On a reading of the documents annexed to the petition
and the affidavit-in-reply, we find that it was not the case of the
petitioner at any point of time before any of the Authorities that
the petitioner should be permitted by the Municipal Council to
perform a clerical job and the pay of the petitioner should be
protected. This was not the case canvassed by the petitioner even
before the Regional Director of Municipal Administration and
for the first time in this writ petition, the petitioner has relied on
the provisions of section 47 of the Act for protection of his services.
Had the petitioner referred to the provisions of section 47 of the
Act and had asked the respondent-Municipal Council to absorb
the petitioner on some other post or job, which the petitioner could
have performed and protect his pay, the Municipal Council may
have applied its mind to the said provisions and the submission of
the petitioner. However, this was not done. In fact, in some of the
communications, it is the case of the petitioner that the petitioner
was 'fit' to perform his job as an Assistant Teacher and his
services should not be dispensed with. Admittedly the petitioner
has not worked for a period of more than ten years and
considering the weak financial condition of the Municipal
Council, where even the salary of the regular employees is not
paid regularly, it would not be proper to direct the Municipal
Council to pay the entire arrears of salary to the petitioner. In the
circumstances of the case and in the interest of justice, in our
view, the Municipal Council could be directed to pay 50% of the
arrears of salary and the other monetary benefits to the petitioner
for the period during which he was out of service.
7. Hence, for the reasons aforesaid, the writ petition is partly
allowed. The impugned orders are quashed and set aside. The
Municipal Council is directed to reinstate the petitioner in service
within two weeks and grant him an alternate job on which he can
effectively work. If the respondent-Municipal Council does not
have a vacancy, the respondent-Municipal Council should adjust
the petitioner against a post, which may be supernumerary, until
a suitable post is available or till he attains the age of
superannuation in terms of the second proviso to section 47 (1) of
the Act. It is needless to mention that the petitioner would be
entitled to the regular salary on the expiry of period of fifteen
days even if he is not reinstated. The petitioner would be entitled
to only 50% of the arrears of salary. The Municipal Council is
directed to pay the arrears of salary to the petitioner within ten
weeks. The pension paid to the petitioner should be adjusted
towards the amount payable to the petitioner towards the arrears
of salary. Rule is made absolute in the aforesaid terms with no
order as to costs.”
vii. In the case of Managing Director, UPSRTC V/s. Suresh Singh7, the
Allahabad High Court whilst dealing with the interplay between the 1995 Act and the
2016 Act and the contractual obligations between employers and employees, held as
under :
“32.Therefore, according to us, all contracts entered into
between the parties, including the present contract, are, in the
first place, law governing the rights and obligations between
them. However, that law is always subject to any modification
or alteration that may be made by the statutory law. Thus, once
the legislature stepped in and provided certain protections to all
employees of ‘establishment’, that too on fundamental and
cherished Constitutional principle of equality irrespective of
7 2019 SCC Online All 4538
their status as permanent or temporary employees or contract
employees etc., the private contract between the parties stood
modified to that extent, by operation of law. No plea/objection as
to re-writing of the contract may be sustained as may result in
defeating that statutory law. For that reason, we respectfully
disagree with the view taken by the Delhi High Court in the
above noted decisions.
33.Thus, for reasons given above, the ‘Old Act’ and the ‘New
Act’ apply to the benefit of all classes of employees in an
‘establishment’. However, while giving effect to the provisions of
those enactments, the equality may be enforced and established
between two employees - one with physical disability and
another without, both belonging to same ‘class of service’. The
equality sought may never transcend the otherwise pre-existing
valid ‘class categorization’ or ‘status’ of the employee
concerned, neither to his benefit not to his prejudice.
34.Thus, in the case of the ‘petitioner-employee’ having suffered
physical disability during his engagement by the ‘corporation’,
the non-discrimination clause introduced and enforced, first by
‘Old Act’ and now by the ‘New Act’, modified the contractual
obligation of the ‘corporation’ under the contract pre-existing
between the parties so as to oblige the latter to continue to engage
the ‘petitioner-employee’ and to not dispense with his services as
a contract employee for the surviving contract period. In other
words, even as a contract employee, the ‘petitioner-employee’
continued to be an employee of the ‘corporation’ and the benefit
of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities,
Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 and The
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, enured to him
keeping intact his status as a contract employee.
35.Consequently, the present appeal is partly allowed with an
observation that the ‘corporation’ shall pass a fresh order, in
accordance with the directions issued by the learned Single
Judge, within a period of one month from today treating the
petitioner-employee Suresh Singh to be an existing contract
employee. He may accordingly be assigned such other job on
contract basis, for such period, as may be available with the
‘corporation’ in view of his 40% permanent physical disability.
The ‘corporation’ would pass a reasoned and speaking order in
that regard, within a period of two months from today.
36.Appeal allowed in part.”
viii. In G. Muthu V/s. MTNSTC (Madhurai) Limited8, the Appellant had joined
the service of the Respondent as a Driver on 26th August, 1993. His services were
regularized from 24th July, 1994. Thereafter, he was promoted as Senior Driver. The
Respondent by its Order dated 4th February, 2002 directed the Appellant to appear
before the Regional Medical Board, Madurai, to ascertain whether he is fit to work as a
driver. He appeared before the Medical Board on 19th February, 2002. The Medical
Board examined his physical fitness and submitted its report dated 19th February,
2002, wherein it was stated that since he has colour blindness he is unfit to work as a
driver. Based upon the report of the Medical Board, the Respondent issued him a
show cause notice dated 7th March, 2002 calling upon him to submit his explanation as
8 2007 (1) L.W. 146
to why he should not be discharged from the post of driver on medical ground. He
submitted his explanation on 7th March, 2002, wherein he requested the Respondent
to provide suitable alternative employment with continuity of service and pay
protection. The Respondent by its Order dated 26th March, 2020 discharged him
from service on medical grounds. He submitted his representation to the Respondent
on 26th March, 2002 requesting the Respondent to sympathetically consider his case
for suitable alternative employment. Since there was no response from the
Respondent, he once again submitted a representation on 30th August, 2004 stating
that his discharge from the service is contrary to the provisions of the 1995 Act. Since
the Appellant did not receive any response from the Respondent, the Appellant, in the
year 2004, challenged the Order of the Respondent dated 26th March, 2002, before the
Single Judge of the Madras High Court, which challenge was rejected by an Order
dated 6th January, 2005 on the sole ground of latches. The Appellant filed an Appeal
before the Division Bench of the Madras High Court. Before the Appeal Court, the
Learned Counsel for the Respondent vehemently argued that the Appellant had not
properly explained the delay in the matter. The Learned Counsel for the Respondent
also contended that the Parliament has chosen only seven illnesses under the category
of disability under Section 2(i) of the Act and hence the intention of the Parliament is
that a person with any disability cannot claim benefit under the Disability Act, but only
the persons affected with illnesses enumerated in Section 2(i) of the Act can claim
disability and protection under the Act. The Division Bench of the Madras High
Court rejected the submissions made by the Respondent and allowed the Appeal.
Paragraphs 14, 15, 19, 21, 22, 26 and 27 of the Judgment are relevant and therefore
reproduced hereunder :
“14. Having heard the learned counsel for the appellant as well
as the respondent on the above referred to contentions, namely,
as regards the distinctive application of S. 47 de hors the
definition of “disability” as found in S. 2(i), we find force in the
submission of the learned counsel for the appellant. As pointed
out by the learned counsel for the appellant, the law makers
have used a different set of expressions in S. 47, which deals
with an employee who “acquires a disability” in contradistinction
to the expression “with disability” which has been
used in the various provisions falling under Chaps, IV to VII of
the Act. On a close reading of such provisions contained in
Chaps. IV to VII, we could discern that the benefits which are
conferred under those provisions are to be made available to
persons who already suffer a disability. In other words, the two
categories, namely, a person “with a disability” is always
distinguishable from a person who later on “acquires a
disability”. Viewed in that respect, it will have to be held that
the expression “disability” used in S. 47 of the Act can, by no
stretch of imagination, be equated with a case of a person “with
the disability”. Once the said distinction as between S. 47 and
the various other provisions of the Act, in particular the
provisions falling under Chaps. IV to VII, is understood, then
the stand of the appellant can be better appreciated. A close
reading of S. 47 of the Act would show that the benefit granted
under the said provision was to be conferred on a serving
employee in an establishment who acquires a “disability”
during such service. When such “disability” was acquired by
him during his service, the Parliament thought it fit to ensure
that his service is not in any way affected because of acquisition
of such a “disability” and with that view, directed that he
should be shifted to some other post with the same pay-scale and
service benefits and in the event of such alternate post not being
available, to create a supernumerary post until a suitable post is
available or till he attains the age of superannuation. Subsection
(2) of S. 47 goes one step further and stipulates that no
promotion should also be denied to a person merely on the
ground of his disability. A further reading of the last proviso to
S. 47 disclose that it is for the appropriate Government to take
note of the type of work carried on in any establishment and
issue a notification exempting such establishment from the
provisions of the said S. 47, subject to such conditions if any.
Therefore, unless and otherwise such a specific notification
exempting an establishment depending upon the nature and
type of work of that establishment is issued, no other
establishment covered by the provisions of the Act can take a
different stand.
15. Having regard to the special features contained in the said
S. 47, providing for such a special benefit to an existing
employee in an establishment when he acquires a “disability” as
held by us earlier, the application and implementation of the
said provision will have to be ensured independent of various
other benefits provided under the various other provisions
falling under Chaps. IV to VII of the Act whicn are meant for
persons “with disability”. Having regard to the said distinctive
features contained in S. 47 of the Act, as compared to the other
provisions, we are of the considered opinion that the context in
which the benefit has been conferred under S. 47 stands apart
from the context of all other provisions where various other
benefits have been conferred. In other words, we are of the firm
view that the opening set of expressions contained in the
definition clause, namely S. 2, which denotes “unless the context
otherwise requires” squarely gets attracted to S. 47 and
therefore the definition of “disability” as defined under S. 2(i)
cannot be blindly applied to the term “disability” which has
been used in S. 47 of the Act. In other words, the term
“disability” used in S. 47 can draw support not only in respect
of the defined “disabilities” as contained in S. 2(i) of the Act
but will also encompass such other “disabilities” which would
disable a person from performing the work which he held
immediately prior to acquisition of such “disability” and
thereby entitle him to avail the benefits conferred under the said
provision for having acquired such a “disability.”
19. Therefore, as argued by the learned counsel for the
appellant, while the provisions contained in Chaps. IV to VII of
the Act deals with “persons with disability” S. 47 alone deals
with “an employee who acquires a disability during his service”.
The said provision clearly says that no establishment shall
dispense with or reduce in rank, an employee who acquires a
disability during his service which means that the person who is
employed in an establishment when he acquires a disability, his
services cannot be dispensed with or there should be any
reduction in rank. Further, the proviso to the said section clearly
states that if he is not suitable for the post he could be shifted to
some other post with the same scale of pay and benefits. If it is
not possible, he could be kept on a supernumerary post until a
post is available or he attains the age of superannuation
whichever is earlier. The said provision further states that no
promotion shall be denied to any person merely on the ground of
his disability. Thus, if we apply S. 47 of the said Act, the order
of discharge passed by the respondent, dated 26 March, 2002,
has no leg to stand.
21. Thus, according to the learned counsel for the appellant, if
there is any anomaly or injustice, then the Court has to look into
the purpose for which the statute has been brought and should
try to give a meaning, which would adhere to the purpose of the
statute. We find full force in the submission of the learned
counsel for the appellant. The object which S. 47 of the Act
purports to achieve is that appropriate provision should be made
for the employees employed in the establishments who acquire a
disability during their service. While having this in mind, in
construing the material provisions of such an Act, if two views
are reasonably possible, the Courts should prefer the view which
helps the achievement of the object. If the words used in the
provisions of the Act are capable of a narrow or broad
construction, each construction is being reasonably possible, and
it appears that the broad construction would help the
furtherance of the object, then it would be necessary to prefer
such construction. The other circumstance which has to be borne
in mind in interpreting the provisions of the Act is that the
interpretation should not concentrate on the word used therein.
In construing the relevant provisions of the Act what the Courts
have to ask themselves is, “is the object for which the Act has
been introduced, achieved?” Thus, the interpretation shall fit in
with the object for which the Act has been introduced and it
should be considered in the light of the object intended to be
achieved.
22. Welfare legislations are meant to ensure benefits to the
needy. They should be interpreted in such a way so that the
purpose of the legislation is allowed to be achieved. Even
assuming that there is any ambiguity in the provisions of the
Act, in view of the object underlying the Act, it requires a
reasonable interpretation of S. 2(i) of the said Act so as to make
it applicable to the case on hand. The legislative purpose must be
noted and the statute must be read as a whole.
26. After analysing the entire provisions of the Act and also
various decisions cited above, we feel that the Court cannot shut
its eyes if a person knocks at its door claiming relief under the
Act. In a welfare State like India, benefits of benevolent
legislation cannot be denied on the ground of mere hypertechnicalities.
When the law makers have conferred certain
privileges on a class of persons, like in this case to a disabled
person, the duty is cast upon the judiciary to oversee that the
authorities or the persons to whom such a power is conferred,
enforce the same in letter and spirit for which such enactment
has been made. In the present case on hand, the appellant has
been discharged on the ground of “colour blindness” without
providing alternative job as per S. 47 of the Act, which is
unjustified and unreasonable. Hence, the order of the
respondent dated 26 March, 2002 discharging the appellant on
medical grounds has no leg to stand. The appellant is entitled to
the protection under S. 47 of the Act. He should have been given
a suitable alternative employment with pay protection, instead
of discharging him from service on the ground of “colour
blindness.” Viewed from any angle, the order of the learned
Single Judge dismissing the writ petition on the mere ground of
laches without considering the claim of the appellant on merits
is liable to be set aside.
27. In fine, the writ appeal is allowed setting aside the order of
the learned Single Judge in W.P. No. 70 of 2005, dated 6
January, 2005, thereby we set aside the order of the respondent,
dated 26 March, 2002, discharging the appellant from service
on medical grounds. During the pendency of the writ appeal, by
an interim order, dated 29 April, 2005, the appellant was given
employment as helper based on G.O. Ms. No. 746, Transport
Department, dated 2 July, 1981. Since we have held that the
appellant is entitled for the benefit of alternate employment as
provided under S. 47 of the Act, we direct the respondent to
provide such alternate employment to the appellant from the
date of his discharge with pay protection, continuity of service,
back-wages and all other attendant benefits for which he is
legally entitled to. No costs.
Writ appeal allowed. ”
12. As can be seen from the aforesaid decisions, the provisions of the 1995
Act as well as the 2016 Act have been interpreted and applied in a beneficial manner
from time to time in a series of decisions delivered by the Supreme Court of India
and the various High Courts.
13. When we apply the aforesaid principles laid down by the various Courts
to the present lis, we note that the Petitioners have admittedly acquired their
disability, viz. colour blindness during the course of their employment. As a result,
the Petitioners are now entitled to alternate jobs as "reasonable accommodation"
under Section 20 of the 2016 Act. This position has been accepted by MSRTC
whilst issuing the Impugned Circular. Further, the record reflects that the
Petitioners’ services were terminated between April 2018 to June 2018 and since
then neither have the Petitioners been employed elsewhere, nor have they received
any wages and/or compensation. We are cognizant of the fact that many of the
Petitioners before us have dependants and children who may be going to school, etc.
This is in addition to the Petitioners’ daily requirement for sustenance. As
repeatedly held by the Courts from time to time, whilst construing a provision of a
social and beneficial enactment, such as the 2016 Act, that intends to provide
disabled persons with equal opportunities, protection of rights and full
participation, the Court must adopt a view that advances the intent and object of
the legislation and a view which serves its purpose must be preferred as opposed to
one which obstructs and paralyses the intent, object and purpose of such Act. In our
view, a socio-economic legislation such as the 2016 Act, ought to be interpreted
liberally. Courts ought to adopt different yardsticks and measures for interpreting
socio-economic statutes, as compared to penal or taxing statutes.
14. After having considered the provisions of the 1995 Act and the 2016 Act
in detail, we are of the considered view that the language of Section 20 is plain and
certain, and casts statutory obligations on the employer to protect an employee
acquiring disability during service.
15. Keeping in line with this construction of a beneficial legislation and also
keeping in mind the unequivocal and express provisions of Section 20 of the 2016
Act, we deem it only legal, humane and just that the Petitioners be granted alternate
jobs as also back wages from the date their services were discontinued.
16. In so far as Clause 11 of the Impugned Circular is concerned, as stated
hereinabove, Clause 11 provides that after an employee is diagnosed with a
disability, the matter would be examined and until such examination is complete
and a decision is taken about the fitness of the employee or his alternate
employment, the period would be treated as leave without pay and the earned leave
on the earlier job would be carried forward to the new job. We find that this
imposition is unjust and violates the Petitioners’ fundamental rights on various
levels. Firstly, it is clearly arbitrary and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution, in
as much as the Act mandates the State establishments to shift the employee
acquiring the disability during service to another suitable post, if he cannot be
continued in the post originally held by him; the Act does not envisage any time lag
for shifting him to such other post ; and in any event, if the employer establishment
takes time to decide on such alternative employment, the employee cannot be made
to suffer. Clause 11 of the Impugned Circular leaves it to the employer
establishment i.e. MSRTC to decide on the alternative employment at its own
sweet will and at its own leisure, leaving the employee to suffer deprivation of wages
for no fault of his.
17. Further, this arbitrary imposition under Clause 11 is in the teeth of the provisos to Sub Section (4) of Section 20 of the 2016 Act which read as under :
“Provided that, if an employee after acquiring disability is
not suitable for the post he was holding, shall be shifted to
some other post with the same pay scale and service benefits:
Provided further that if it is not possible to adjust the
employee against any post, he may be kept on a
supernumerary post until a suitable post is available or he
attains the age of superannuation, whichever is earlier.”
18. The above provisos mandate that the Petitioners ought to be shifted to
an alternative post with MSRTC with the same pay scale and service benefits and if
it is not possible for MSRTC to adjust the Petitioners against any post immediately,
they have to be kept on supernumerary posts until suitable posts are available or
they attain the age of superannuation, whichever is earlier. This is a mandate under
the 2016 Act and a statutory right granted to the Petitioners. This right cannot be
violated by Clause 11 of the Impugned Circular. MSRTC has no right and is in fact
prohibited from treating the intervening period between the medical examination
and a decision thereon as leave without pay. The very idea of restoring an employee
to a position with the same pay scale and service benefits which he or she held
before dismissal or removal or termination of service implies that the employee will
be put in the same position in which he would have been but for the action of
termination taken by the employer.
19. The financial, emotional and mental injuries suffered by the bus drivers
before us today cannot simply be measured in terms of money. As a result of the
discontinuance of their services by MSRTC, the Petitioners’ lost their source of
income with immediate effect. As a result, not only have the Petitioners suffered
economically but so have their respective families, who have been deprived of their
source of sustenance. This would include deprivation of nutritious food, education
as also general advancement in life. These sufferings will continue till the date
MSRTC provides the Petitioners with alternative positions. In our opinion, the
Petitioners’ reinstatement by MSRTC entitles the Petitioners to claim back wages
in their entirety. The denial of back wages to the Petitioners who have suffered due
to their disability would amount to indirectly punishing the Petitioners concerned
and rewarding MSRTC by relieving them of their obligation to pay back wages. This
would be wholly inequitable and unjust. This would be in contravention of the 2016
Act, as also in contravention of the Constitution of India. As a result, we are of the
considered opinion that Clause 11 of the Impugned Circular is ultra vires the 2016
Act, as also violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India. Therefore, we
hereby quash and set-aside Clause 11 of the Impugned Circular.
20. Keeping in line with the mandate of Section 20 of the 2016 Act, we order
and direct MSRTC to provide each one of the Petitioners with alternative posts
having the same pay scale and service benefits as their earlier position. This exercise
must be completed within a period of 4 weeks from the date of this Order.
21. As a result of the aforesaid decision, we order and direct MSRTC to pay
back wages to each of the Petitioners from the date that their respective services
were discontinued until the date that they have been provided with an alternative
position in compliance with Section 20 of the 2016 Act. These wages must be
credited to the Petitioners’ accounts within a period of 6 weeks from the date of
pronouncement and uploading of this Order. However, whilst computing the
amount of back wages to be paid to the Petitioners, we grant liberty to MSRTC to
ascertain whether or not any of the Petitioners were otherwise employed during this
intervening period and if so, MSRTC would be at liberty to deduct the amount of
wages that the Petitioners may have earned from their alternative employment
whilst paying out the back wages. In the event MSRTC wishes to undertake this
exercise, such exercise should be completed within a period of 4 weeks from the
date of pronouncement and uploading of this order.
22. The Writ Petitions are disposed of accordingly. We appreciate the
assistance rendered by Dr. Sathe as Amicus Curiae in the matter.
23. Whilst parting, we anticipate that the Impugned Circular albeit in the
absence of Clause 11 which we have struck down hereinabove, may still give rise to
grievances suffered by various other persons employed by MSRTC who may be
diagnosed with disabilities in the future. In order to prevent their suffering, we
propose the following measures which could be taken into consideration when
MSRTC implements the Impugned Circular:
i. Upon an employee acquiring a disability, the medical examination and
disability certification ought to be completed within a period of 4 weeks of such
disability coming to the notice of MSRTC;
ii. Within 4 weeks from the aforesaid medical examination and disability
certification, the employee shall be provided with an alternative position with
MSRTC in accordance with Section 20 of the 2016 Act;
iii. The time elapsed in conducting the medical examination, certifying the
disability and providing an alternative position shall be treated as part of the
persons’ employment and the employee shall be paid back wages for this entire
period expeditiously;
iv. MSRTC will be at liberty to test the veracity or otherwise of disability
certificates that may be furnished. However, this exercise of ascertaining the
truthfulness of these disability certificates must in any event be completed within a
period of 2 weeks from the date of submission of such disability certificates. In the
event that MSRTC fails to find any fault with the said disability certificates, the
principles enumerated hereinabove ought to apply.
24. MSRTC will have to implement these guidelines in their entirety,
keeping in mind the intent, objective and spirit of the 2016 Act.
(R.I.CHAGLA, J.) (S.J.KATHAWALLA, J.)
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