Slamming the Delhi Transport Corporation for terminating the services of a driver on medical grounds despite the fact that he had performed his job in the corporation for more than 23 years without an index figure, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has rapped the DTC and asked it to take him back.
Munshi Lal had a clean track record despite driving the vehicle without an index finger.
The CAT, comprising members R.C. Panda and S. Raju, also wondered how the DTC could terminate the services of Lal.
The tribunal observed, “It is very strange that the driver whose injured index finger (which was amputated) has not come in the way of efficient discharge of duties from 1982 to 2005 for which there is no complaint...On record... Yet on the same alleged disability, holding him unfit to perform duty on re-employment upto 60 years, when the position has not been altered, the DTC has not acted fairly.”
According to the DTC rules, drivers after attaining the age of 55 years are subjected to a fresh medical test to check their fitness level, so as to continue in their service till the superannuation age of 60 years. In Mr Lal’s case, the medical board held him unfit when he attained 55 years and accordingly the corporation terminated his services.
Seeking for reinstatement in job, Munshi Lal, aggrieved by the DTC order, has approached the CAT for relief.