UNION OF INDIA vs K.R.THAMPI

The Supreme Court held that the Central Administrative Tribunal's decision to grant the respondent a higher pay scale of Rs.2200-4000/- was illegal, as the respondent was reassigned to the Geological Department as an Administrative Officer with the same pay scale of Rs.2000-3500/- that he was drawing in the Dandakaranya Project. The Court clarified that mere assignment to a post without actual duties does not entitle one to the higher salary associated with that post. The appeal was allowed, affirming the pay scale of Rs.2000-3500/- for the respondent in the Geological Department.