REGIONAL FOREST CONSERVATOR Vs. K.AMMANALINGAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The order dated 28.03.2013 passed in C.P.Nos.257 to 260, 262 to 273, 275 to 277 and 279 to 288 of 2008 is under challenge in the present writ petitions.

(2.) The writ petitioners are the Regional Forest Conservator and the Division Forest Officer of the Forest Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The contention of the writ petitioners is that the Government in G.O.Ms.No.222, Environment and Forests Department dated 10.06.1992 have ordered that all the eligible Plot Watchers and Social Forestry Workers employed both in territorial as well as Social Forestry Divisions who were appointed after 08.07.1980 without reference to the employment exchanges, shall be considered for regular appointment in vacancies which may arise in posts like Forest Watchers, Malis, Office Assistant etc., who are otherwise fully qualified for the post and within their age limits on the date of first appointment as Plot Watcher or Social Forestry Worker as the case may be.

(3.) In G.O.Ms.No.25, Environment Forest Department dated 11.06.1992 Government has regularized the services of certain persons who were appointed temporarily as Forest Watchers from 1980 to 1983. In G.O.Ms.No.297, Environment and Forest Department dated 28.01.1994, Government have issued amendment to rule 5 of Tamil Nadu Forest Subordinate Service rules fixing "Minimum general education qualification for the direct recruitment for the post of Forest Watchers instead of the qualification "ability to read and write in Tamil". In G.O.Ms.No.332, Environment and Forests(FR-VI) Department dated 22.14.1994 Government have ordered the Plot Watchers/Villages Social Forestry workers be appointed as Office Assistant and Watchman in existing and future vacancies in Forest Department in relaxation of rule No.3(a) of Special Rules for Tamil Nadu Basic Service relating to mode of recruitment.