Dear Umakanthan Sir & Madhu Sir, In the Conduct, Discipline & Appeal (CDA) Rules of major PSUs one of the punishments listed is "Reduction to a lower grade of pay with or without annual increment accruing during the period of reduction" as major penalty and "withholding of increment with or without cumulative effect" as a minor penalty. The interpretation is that, unless the punishment order specifies so the increment in the reduced grade is not withheld. In this case the intention appears to be reduced to the lower grade and pay for the period of reduction, i.e. , no increment in the meanwhile.