Uniform MTS Cadre Mandatory For All Depts: CAT

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar – The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) here has held that the restructuring of the erstwhile Class-IV cadre through a uniform designation of Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) is binding on all departments, leaving no discretion to continue with outdated or obsolete classifications.

A Bench comprising Justice Ritu Tagore (Member Judicial) and Prasant Kumar (Member Administrative) made the observation while quashing the final seniority lists of Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) of the Sheep Husbandry Department for Budgam, Baramulla and Bandipora districts, holding them to be in violation of statutory orders governing cadre restructuring.

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The Bench set aside the rejection order on 15 May last year, along with the tentative and final seniority lists, and all related circulars that paved the way for district-level Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs).

The Tribunal observed that despite S.O. 133 of 2022, which redesignated all Class-IV posts as Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS), the department continued to reflect obsolete designations such as Assistant Stockman, Chowkidar and Fieldman while fixing seniority. This, the Bench said, defeated the very purpose of the statutory reorganisation aimed at eliminating artificial distinctions among similarly placed employees.

Terming the consideration order as“cryptic and non-speaking,” the Tribunal held that the department failed to meaningfully address the objections raised by employees or comply with earlier directions of the Tribunal.

The Bench also noted that identical relief had already been granted by the CAT Jammu Bench in similar matters, and denial of parity would amount to hostile discrimination.

Subsequently, the Tribunal directed the authorities to prepare and notify a fresh, uniform final seniority list of MTS strictly in accordance with S.O. 133 of 2022 within eight weeks.

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