LAISHRAM SARATCHANDRA SINGH Vs. STATE OF MANIPUR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. Y. Nirmolchand, learned senior counsel assisted by Mr. L. Raju, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Th. Sukumar, learned G.A. for the State respondents.

(2.) The brief facts of the case are that the petitioner was initially appointed as Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (now redesignated as Veterinary Officer Grade-IV) on 1/3/1999 on ad-hoc basis in Manipur Zoological Garden, Iroisemba under the Department of Forest and Environment, Government of Manipur and vide order dtd. 24/11/2011 issued by the Principal Secretary (For. and Envt.), Government of Manipur, the petitioner's service was regularized. By Manipur Gazette Notification No. 248 dtd. 8/10/2018 in pursuance of the Cabinet decision taken on 30/7/2018, the Governor of Manipur is pleased to enhance the age of superannuation of the Officers of Manipur Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Service (MV and AHS) from 60 years to 62 years. Vide another notification dtd. 12/2/2020 issued in pursuance of the Cabinet Decision taken on 24/1/2020 and U.O. dtd. 11/2/2020 allotted by the Department of Personnel, Government of Manipur, the age of the superannuation was enhanced from 60 years to 62 years in respect of 6 (six) Medical Officers and 6 (six) Veterinary Officers working under Six Autonomous District Councils, Manipur w.e.f. 24/1/2020. However, the petitioner was left out and the petitioner's date of superannuation was not extended from 60 years to 62 years.

(3.) Being aggrieved, the petitioner submitted 2 (two) representations dtd. 10/8/2021 and 5/9/2023 to the Director, Manipur Zoological Garden and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest for enhancement of age of superannuation for Veterinary Doctors from 60 years to 62 years. Since the representations submitted by the petitioner were not considered by the authorities, the petitioner approached this Court by way of the present writ petition. It is submitted that the petitioner is retiring in the month of June, 2024 on attaining the age of superannuation.