(1.) THE petitioners joined the third respondent-Municipality as Nominal Muster-Roll employees on 19.12.1996. THEy worked as NMR workers in Water Supply and also for maintenance work, such as repairing of water pipes, hand pumps, and also for maintenance of street lights.
(2.) WHILE so, the Government issued G.O.198, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, dated 26.10.1998 regularising the services of the workmen employed in water supply works. Like wise, Government Orders were issued regularising the services of workers employed in sanitation, street light maintenance and driving. As far as G.O.198 is concerned that exclusively deals with the regularisation of the N.M.R. workmen employed in water supply work. As per the G.O.198, the workmen who joined prior to 31.12.1996 in the Municipalities have to be regularised.
(3.) THE respondents filed reply affidavit refuting the allegations.