K. Balaraman vs Chairman, Railway Board & Ors

The Supreme Court held that the additional increments granted to Stock Verifiers for passing the qualifying examination should be considered part of the basic pay for the purpose of calculating Dearness Allowance. The Court emphasized that the Railway Board's communication stating otherwise was inconsistent with the principles of promotion and pay fixation as recommended by the Fifth Pay Commission. The Court upheld the Central Administrative Tribunal's decision, thereby allowing the appellant's claim for the inclusion of additional increments in the basic pay.