1.5mn government employees cleared to get two higher-grade benefits

A 2016 finance ministry notification that restricted promotions has been declared invalid

The Supreme Court’s Appellate Division has removed a longstanding prohibition to higher-grade promotions for government and autonomous institution employees who received a time scale or selection grade before 2015.

The full 18-page verdict, delivered by a bench headed by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, was released on Tuesday.

It struck down a 2016 clarification notification from the finance ministry, which had blocked further grade upgrades for employees holding the same post after receiving two or more higher time scales or selection grades.

Issued a year after the introduction of the 2015 National Pay Scale, the notification drew strong objections from public servants.

Several challenged its legality in the High Court, which, in one ruling, declared it void.

The state appealed, and on Apr 30 this year, the Appellate Division settled the matter.

While partly revising the High Court’s decision, it declared Paragraph “Gha” of the ministry’s notification unlawful.

As a result, Paragraph 7 of the 2015 pay scale -- confirming eligibility for higher-grade entitlements -- remains unchanged.

With the restriction removed, employees who received a time scale or selection grade before 2015 can now obtain a second higher-grade promotion without limitation.

Petitioners’ lawyer Ibrahim Khalil said the ruling clears the path for around 1.5 million officials and staff to access long-delayed benefits.