Govt to challenge all court orders favouring employees

All court orders that favour employees and quash government policies will be challenged, as per draft guidelines finalised by the Centre. The move comes as various ministries are making several references to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), seeking interpretation of existing guidelines “without exercising due diligence”.

The ministries are advised not to make any references unless there are difficulties relating to interpretation or application of these guidelines or any relaxation in rules or instructions is warranted to mitigate a genuine hardship faced the government servant, the DoPT has said in the draft guidelines. 

In case where the judgement has gone in favour of an applicant or a petitioner and a scheme or guidelines outlining government policy has been quashed, “the administrative department may take a decision to file Writ Petition or Special leave Petition (as the case may be) in consultation with DoPT and Department of Legal Affairs", it reads.