YANGLEM HEROJIT SINGH Vs. STATE OF MANIPUR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition has been filed to quash the appointment and regularization order dtd. 28/11/2016 in respect of the respondents 4 to 21 published in Manipur Gazette on 30/11/2016 and posting order dtd. 28/11/2016 issued by the Commissioner, Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Government of Manipur and to declare the cabinet decision dtd. 7/11/2016 and 21/11/2016 resulting in issuance of the impugned orders as bad in the eye of law.

(2.) The case of the petitioners are that they are all unemployed graduates in Agriculture/ Horticulture either B.Sc. Agriculture or B.Sc. Horticulture from different Universities and after obtaining degrees, they are searching for Government job commensurate with their educational qualification. The Under Secretary (H&SC) vide letter dtd. 14/4/2016 conveyed to the Director (H&SC) regarding approval of the cabinet decision for engagement of Horticulture Assistant/ Field Consultant/Data Entry Operator on contract basis under Technical Support Group Programme under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). Pursuant to the notification dtd. 20/4/2016, the third respondent issued notification dtd. 29/4/2016 declaring the result for the contractual posts of Data Entry Operator and Horticulture Assistant/Field Consultant in the MIDH Sec. of the Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation selecting 6 Data Entry Operator and 18 Horticulture Assistant/Field Consultant candidates.

(3.) The Secretariat of the Confidential and Cabinet Department issued a cabinet meeting notice dtd. 7/11/2016 to discuss 22 Agenda, including regularization of 18 Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) appointed on contract basis in respect of Horticulture Department as Agenda No.22. On 28/11/2016, the Commissioner issued an order regularizing the contract appointment of 18 Horticulture Consultant/Assistant, MIDH as AAO in Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department with their respective posting at various districts. Challenging the same, the petitioners have filed the present writ petition.