YAIKHOM JOYKUMAR SINGH Vs. STATE OF MANIPUR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition has been filed by the petitioner seeking to quash the order dated 13.7.2018 passed by the Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), Government of Manipur and to direct the respondents to regularize/absorb the contract services of the petitioner as Peon/Grade-IV of the office of the Sub Divisional Officer, Bishnupur against the existing vacancy within a stipulated period, as has been done in respect of similarly situated incumbents with consequential benefits including releasing of his unpaid wages/salary.

(2.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel for the State.

(3.) The case of the petitioner is that on 2.5.1998, he was initially engaged as Peon in the office of the Sub Divisional Officer, Bishnupur on contract basis for a period of one year on payment of consolidated pay of Rs.1500/- per month against the post available due to the retirement of one Ch. Ibopishak Singh or for a period till the post is filled up on regular basis. Subsequently, vide order dated 24.5.1999, his term of engagement was extended for a period of one year with effect from 3.4.1999 on consolidated payment of Rs.2000/- per month. Since then, the petitioner has been continuously working as Peon in the said office for almost two decades. While so, on 7.9.2016, the Sub Divisional Officer, Bishnpur wrote a letter to the Deputy Commissioner, Bishnupur for taking appropriate action for absorption of the petitioner by indicating the vacancies available in the office against which the petitioner can be absorbed. Since no action was taken, the petitioner has filed W.P.(C) No.23 of 2017 with a prayer to regularize the contract service of the petitioner as Peon/Grade IV in the said office against the available vacancy.