STATE OF MANIPUR Vs. TAKHELMAYUM KHELENDRO MEITEI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) The Department of Electricity, Government of Manipur initiated the process of selection for filling up the posts of Assistant Lineman in the Department of Electricity. Before the process could be completed, a complete ban on direct recruitment was imposed on 6th November, 1999. The declaration of results of DPC (Selections) already held was also frozen by the said order. According to the State Government, the ban was imposed in view of the financial stringency in the State.

(3.) The Respondents filed Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1040 of 2000 for a direction to the Appellant to declare the result of the DPC held from 19th August, 1999 to 13th September, 1999 for selection to the posts of Assistant Lineman. The Writ Petition was disposed of by the Imphal Bench of the Gauhati High Court on 11th August, 2000. The result of the selection in respect of 155 posts of Assistant Lineman conducted in the year 1999 was directed to be declared not later than one month after lifting of the ban. A policy decision was taken by the Appellant to downsize the strength of government employees to control the financial crisis in the State. The services of persons appointed on direct recruitment, part-time, contract, ad hoc, substitute and casual basis since 1999 were terminated. No direct recruitment, permanent and ad hoc could be made till further orders. Results of DPCs which have not been announced were directed to be treated as cancelled.