(1.) Heard Mrs. S.S. Wandile, learned Counsel for the petitioners, Shri A.P. Thakre, learned Counsel for the respondent no.1 and Shri N.R. Patil, learned Assistant Government Pleader for the respondent nos.2 to 5.
(2.) The petitioners are working as contractual drivers having been appointed on contract basis in the year 2004-05 on the establishment of the respondent no.1. Now, the petitioners are seeking their regularization on the grounds that they have put in more than 10 years of continuous service and they have been appointed against the permanent posts. The petitioners are also drawing support from the recommendations of the Standing Committee, resolution to which effect was passed in its meeting dated 11/04/2008.
(3.) The claim of the petitioners for regularization has been opposed by the respondents. According to the respondents, the petitioners were appointed only against the vacancies, which were to be filled in on contract basis and thus, they were temporary drivers. It is submitted that their appointments were not against any permanent posts. It is also submitted that in any case no vacancies in the permanent posts are available as of today. Additionally, it is submitted that no procedure prescribed in the recruitment rules has been followed in making appointments of the petitioners.