Merits-based adjudication required where claim for scheme extension was rejected without reasoned finding on entitlement.

The Tribunal's dismissal of the claim for extension of the Non-Functional Financial Upgradation Scheme to Group-B officers was unsustainable because it rejected the application without adjudicating the entitlement issue on merits. Its reasoning was limited to the fact that the benefit had been extended to Group-A officers and that any extension to other categories lay within government domain, without examining the claimant's submissions or recording a reasoned finding. The Delhi HC quashed the order and remitted the matter to the Tribunal for fresh decision in accordance with law after hearing all parties.

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Issues: Whether the dismissal of the original application seeking extension of the Non-Functional Financial Upgradation Scheme to Group-B officers could be sustained without adjudication of the claim on merits.

Analysis: The Tribunal had dismissed the original application only on the ground that the benefit of the scheme had been extended to Group-A officers and that extension to any other category was within the Government's domain. The challenged order did not examine the contentions raised in support of the prayer or return a reasoned finding on entitlement.

Conclusion: The dismissal could not be sustained. The order was quashed and the matter remitted to the Tribunal for fresh decision in accordance with law after hearing all parties.

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