C.L. RAMMUANAWMA Vs. ACCOUNTANT GENERAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. J.C. Lalnunsanga, the learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr. C. Lalfakzuala, the learned counsel for all the respondents.

(2.) As many as 30 writ petitioners who claim to have a common cause of action have joined hands in filing the present writ petition. Brief facts of the case is that the respondent No. 1 on 23.04.2010 floated an Advertisement (Annexure-2) in the local daily 'Vanglaini', inviting applications from Indian Nationals, who are Commerce/Economics graduates for Training-cum-Contract appointment in the Office of the Accountant General, Mizoram. The total numbers of persons that was required as per the Advertisement was 50. The period of contract was to be for 11 months, extendable by further 11 months on mutual agreement of both the parties and the method of selection will be by written examination followed by an interview.

(3.) The petitioners accordingly responded to the Advertisement and were selected for appointment. The modalities for appointment, including the terms and conditions was earlier drawn up in a meeting held between the Office of the Accountant General, Mizoram and the Director of Higher and Technical Education on 14.04.2010. According to the petitioners, they were appointed in 2 batches. The first batch was appointed in the year 2010, while the other batch was appointed in the year 2016. As per the decision taken in the Meeting Minutes dated 14.04.2010 and also as per the Advertisement dated 23.04.2010, the petitioners have been engaged beyond their initial engagement of the 11 months. The last offer of engagement was issued on 1.9.2017 (Annexure - 7) whereby, it was again provided that the period of contract would be initially for 11 months, which is extendable by further terms of 11 months each on mutual agreement of both the parties and quarterly satisfactory performance.