TOTA MIA Vs. STATE OF WEST BENGAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners, who are 112 in number, are all appointed as "contract labourers" for up-keeping of the forests and for prevention of damages of the trees under the Range Officers of different districts, being respondents Nos. 5 to 7 in the instant writ petition.

(2.) At the time of the admission of the writ petition on January 21, 1988, Ajit Kumar Sengupta, J. having issued the Rule directed the parties to maintain 'status quo' regarding petitioners' service until further orders and by virtue of the said order of 'status quo' the petitioners still performing their duties as "contract labourers" till this date.

(3.) Mr.. Arun Prakash Chatterjee, learned Senior Advocate appearing on behalf of the writ petitioners at the final hearing of the writ petition, has submitted the following facts for consideration of this Court.