SANJAY KUMAR Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the State.

(2.) The petitioners, who are Lok Shikshaks claim parity with Shiksha Mitra who have been absorbed as Panchayat Teachers.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioners has submitted that the appointment process of Shiksha Mitra and Lok Shikshak are similar but the erstwhile Panchayat Shiksha Mitras have been absorbed as Panchayat Teachers whereas similar privilege has not been given to Lok Shikshaks who have worked for several years for the Government. Be it noted that the policy for appointment of Lok Shikshak has been put in abeyance. Some of the Lok Shikshaks who had served in that capacity under the scheme of the Government had approached this Court for a direction to rehabilitate/absorb them in regular service as has been done with the case of Panchayat Shikshaks. As far back as on 21/3/2012, a Bench of this Court in Jay Prakash vs. State of Bihar & Ors . and batch of analogous cases, rejected the contention of the petitioners therein that the cases of Lok Shikshaks and Panchayat Shiksha Mitra were similar and therefore they ought to be given parity with respect to their rehabilitation/absorption and pay.