SHRI T. AYIM LONGKUMER Vs. STATE OF NAGALAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. Supu Jamir, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. K Angami, learned Govt. Advocate, Nagaland for the respondents.

(2.) The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Mokokchung Forest Division, Govt. of Nagaland by his order dated 12.03.1973 appointed the petitioner as Forester Grade-I with his Head Quarter at Mokokchung and accordingly, he joined his service as Forester-I in the Forest Department of the State. Thereafter, the petitioner was promoted to the rank of Deputy Ranger vide order dated 30.07.1982 issued by the DFO, Mokokchung Forest Division and was posted in the Mokokchung Forest Division of the State w.e.f. 15.04.1982. Subsequently, after his said service, the Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Nagaland in the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment and Wildlife by his order dated 09.03.1991 promoted the petitioner to the post of Forest Ranger in the Forest Department of the State with immediate effect. The petitioner retired from service on 31.10.2009 on attaining the age of superannuation.

(3.) Considering the genuine stagnation and hardship faced by the State Government employees due to lack of adequate promotional avenues, the Government of Nagaland in the Finance Department formulated a scheme, namely, Assured Career Progression (ACP) Scheme and accordingly, issued an Office Memorandum vide No. FIN-ROP/19/2001 dated 28.02.2002 providing and granting 2 (two) financial up-gradations to its Group 'B' and 'C' employees on completion of their 12 years and 24 years of regular service, provided no regular promotion has been given to any of such employee during that period.