S. HARIHARAN PILLAI AND OTHERS Vs. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, FOOD AND CIVIL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, GOVT. SECRETARIAT, TRIVANDRUM AND OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) As the issue involved in both these cases is the same, they are taken up together for consideration and disposed by this common judgment.

(2.) The petitioners, who are stated to be salesman, who were working for various Authorised Wholesale Distributors in the district of Kollam, are aggrieved by the taking over of the Authorised Wholesale Distribution business by the State Government. In these writ petitions, it is the case of the petitioners that, pursuant to the implementation of the National Food Security Act, the State Government has taken over the business of the Authorised Wholesale Distributors in Kollam district with effect from 01.02.2017, thereby rendering the petitioners redundant, and out of employment. In these writ petitions, it is the case of the petitioners that, since they were discharging duties under the erstwhile Authorised Wholesale Distributors in Kollam district, the State Government ought to engage them in connection with the wholesale distribution business that is now carried on by the State Government through the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation.

(3.) I have heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners in both the writ petitions, the learned Standing counsel appearing for the respondent Corporation and also the learned Government Pleader for the 1st respondent in both the writ petitions.