2008 Supreme(Raj) 2348
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT
Gopal Krishan Vyas, J.
Paras Mal Mali - Appellant
Versus
State & Ors. - Respondent
S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 4994/2005.
Decided On : 20-08-2008
Advocates:
For the Petitioner:Mr. R.P. Joshi, Advocate.
For the Respondents:Mr. N.M. Lodha, Addl. Advocate General.
Headnote:Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 – S. 102 – Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Rules 1996, Rules 266, 270 to 273 – The petitioner was engaged in the collection of octroi. The system of octroi was abolished. The state government decided to absorb all the collectors of octroi against the post of gram sewaks. The petitioner was denied such absorption on the ground that he was not in service on the date of the abolition of the octroi system. It was held that the petitioner was in the service for three years. The refusal simply on the ground that he was not in service on the relevant date ids not proper. The respondent was given direction to absorb the petitioner as a gram sewak.
JUDGMENT
1. - By way of filing the present writ petition, the petitioner has prayed for quashing the order dated 20.6.2005 (Annexure-10) passed by Secretary, Panchayati Raj Department whereby the representation of the petitioner filed in accordance with the order passed by this Court in SB Civil Writ Petition No. 2591/2003 was rejected.
2. Brief facts of the case are that initially the petitioner was appointed for collection of revenue/octroi by the Gram Panchayat, Samdari, Panchayat Samiti Siwana. Not only the petitioner but so many other persons were also appointed as 'chungi nakedar' for collection of octroi in different Gram Panchayats. The petitioner was appointed on 7.4.1995 and continued upto April, 1998. The petitioner is possessing qualification of Senior Higher Secondary acquired from Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan. The octroi collection system was abolished in the year 1998 and the persons including the petitioner were directed to be absorbed against the post of Gram Sevak. For the said purpose a circular dated 14.11.2000 was issued in which relaxation was granted under the Rules 265, 266 and 270 to 273 of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Rules, 1996 (hereinafter for short "the Rules of 1996" only).
3. In pursuance of the said circular dated 14.11.2000, the names of similarly situated persons were sent for considering their candidature for absorption on the post of Gram Sevak. Unfortunately, at that time due to mistake of Panchayat Samiti, the name of the petitioner was not sent initially but later on when this mistake was pointed out then Vikas Adhikari, Panchayati Samiti, Sivana referred the matter to the Director vide letter dated 23.11.2000. After receiving the said letter by the Government, the name of the petitioner along with other persons was forwarded to the Chief Executive Officer to absorb them on the post of Gram Sevak. The name of the petitioner was included in the letter sent by Dy. Secretary, Panchayati Raj Department dated 30.12.2000. The Addl. Chief Executive Officer, Barmer ascertained some information from the Vikas Adhikari, Panchayat Samiti, Sivana and in the report submitted by the Vikas Adhikari to the Addl. Chief Executive Officer, Barmer, it is accepted that the petitioner was initially appointed in the year 1995 and continued upto 1.4.1998, therefore, after receiving information, the petitioner was appointed as Gram Sevak vide order dated 23.3.2001 along with four other persons.
4. The case of the petitioner is that report give by Vikas Adhikari was in consonance with the letter dated 30.12.2000 in which it was ascertained whether the petitioner was appointed as "chungi nakedar" or not, so also, whether he was paid salary or not. The case of the petitioner is that after appointment, he went to Office of Vikas Adhikari, Siwana to join on the post of Gram Sewak but for the reasons best known to him, the petitioner was not permitted to join duties and after waiting for long time when no reasons were informed to him for denial of joining, then a representation was made by the petitioner before the Dy. Secretary (Group-2), Panchayati Raj Department, Jaipur. The Dy. Secretary, Panchayati Raj Department again directed the Additional Chief Executive Officer to allow the petitioner to join duties and to report immediately but unfortunately again the petitioner was not allowed to join duties and it was informed by the Vikas Adhikari vide letter dated 23.5.2003 that he was not working on the date abolition of chungi system and presently not continuing as such in the Gram Panchayat, therefore, he cannot claim absorption on the post of Gram Sevak in view of the Circular dated 14.11.2000.
5. As per petitioner, appointment order was issued as per the directions issued by the Government and after due satisfaction by the Addl. Chief Executive Officer of Zila Parishad, Barmer and upon the report given by Vikas Adhikari concerned but petitioner was not allowed to join duties, therefore, against the said ille
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