Railway Guards’ Seniority Dispute: Supreme Court Upholds Seniority Rules for Surplus Railway Employees
The Supreme Court upheld the Railway Board's policy under Paragraph 313A of the Indian Railway Establishment Manual, 1989, ruling that surplus employees absorbed in a new division lose past service benefits for seniority and are treated as fresh entrants. Those who voluntarily opted for transfer were also placed at the bottom of the recruitment grade, affirming the Tribunal and High Court's decisions. The Court rejected arguments challenging the retrospective application of the circular, clarifying that redeployed staff cannot claim seniority based on prior service.
Facts Of The Case:
The case involved railway employees (guards and senior guards) from Bhavnagar Division of Western Railway who were affected by operational changes due to the conversion of meter gauge to broad g...