Supreme Court Orders Relief for Employee in Long-standing Cadre Dispute

The Supreme Court on Wednesday criticized the Uttar Pradesh government's handling of an employee's request for a preferred posting in Uttarakhand, which has dragged on since 2011. The court ordered a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the employee and demanded immediate action for his reallocation.

A bench comprising justices Sanjay Karol and N Kotiswar Singh delivered the judgment, overturning an earlier decision by the Allahabad High Court. The employee, eligible for a posting in the hill region since 1995, faced bureaucratic hurdles that delayed his appointment until 2011 and his current appeal until 2026.

Notably, the bench highlighted the severe personal implications of the case, with the employee's son requiring special care. The top court urged the state to promptly address such cases to prevent family separations and career stagnation caused by administrative delays.