The Kerala High Court has ruled that retired CISF personnel are entitled to purchase liquor from CAPF canteens under the Central Liquor Management System, ensuring equal welfare benefits for all Central Armed Police Force veterans.
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KERALA: In a landmark judgment, the Kerala High Court has declared that retired personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) are entitled to purchase liquor through the Central Liquor Management System (CLMS) from CRPF Liquor Canteens or any other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) canteens.
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Background of the Case
The decision came after the CISF Ex-Service Welfare Association filed a petition challenging notifications that barred ex-CISF and ex-ITBP personnel from buying liquor at the Pallippuram CRPF Camp and Thiruvananthapuram BSF Camp. The petitioners argued that such restrictions were arbitrary and discriminatory.
During the proceedings, it was highlighted that welfare benefits extended to CAPF personnel by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) cannot be curtailed by the Director General of CISF once a soldier retires.
Court Observations
Justice N. Nagaresh, in a single-judge bench, noted:
“The Government of India has a consistent policy that men in uniform be provided with the best of facilities both while in service and after retirement. Canteen facility is a major facility provided by the Government to the Navy, Army, Air Force and CAPFs. The Navy, Army and Air Force personnel are allowed to purchase provisions from Defence Canteens and Canteen Store Depots across the country.”
The judgment further elaborated that in response to demands from CAPF members, the government introduced the Central Police Forces Canteen System (CPFCS) to ensure both serving and retired personnel, as well as their families, have access to essential goods, including liquor, at fair prices and high quality.
The court emphasized that denying retired CISF personnel access to liquor through these canteens while allowing other CAPF retirees to avail the benefit is discriminatory and violates Article 14 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees equality before the law.
Appearance:
The CISF Ex-Service Welfare Association: Advocates V Jayapradeep, OA Nuriya, DS Lokanathan, Alan Priyadarshi Dev and Lilin Lal.
Retired CSIF personnel: Advocates T Sanjay and Sanil Kumar G
The CSIF: Deputy Solicitor General of India OM Shalina, and central government counsel C Dinesh and Achuth Krishnan R
Case Title:
CISF Ex-Service Welfare Association v Union of India & ors and connected case
WP(C) NO. 26101 OF 2024
READ JUDGMENT