DR. KUMAR ASHUTOSH Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Since all the writ applications have raised identical questions of law and fact with minor variation, on a mention being made by counsel representing the petitioners in the present writ applications, they have been listed and heard together.

(2.) The common thread of grievance which runs through all these writ applications is that the respondent authorities, who are functionaries of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) have arbitrarily brought to an end the engagement of these petitioners even before the period of contract expired. The engagements are on the post of Dental Officers, Physiotherapist, Drivers, Lab Technicians, Lab Attendant etc.

(3.) One thing, however, is not and cannot be a matter of dispute that all the engagements have been made on contract for a fixed period of one year, may be extendable by another year. It is the decision of the respondents to disengage the petitioners and engage some other persons on contract, which led to filing of the writ applications and challenging the orders/ notices for disengagement.