IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
Shekhar Kumar Yadav, J.
Virendra Kumar Singh – Petitioner
Versus
State of U.P. and Others – Respondents
Writ A No.52451 of 2009
Decided On : 08-01-2021
Employment and service matter - Posts of Class-III and Class-IV - Government Order – Disciplinary proceeding - Payment of salary - Seeking to issue direction to respondents to pay the salary to petitioner with arrears w.e.f. 01.03.2006 and month to month as and when falls due in accordance with law or order or direction in the nature of mandamus commanding the respondents not to interfere in peaceful functioning as Class IV employee (peon) - it appears that the appointment of the petitioner was made during the tenure of officiating Principal Sri Surya Bali Dwivedi, against whom a disciplinary action was taken. In the order, it has not been denied that there were sanctioned posts and they were advertised in the widely circulated newspaper “Dainik Jagran”. The fact that the posts were sanctioned and the petitioner possessed the essential qualification, has not been adverted to by the Director.
Facts of the case: State Government vide a Government Order created 145 posts of Class-III and Class-IV in the Government Degree/Post Graduate Colleges - Four posts each in category of Lab Attendant and Lab Assistant were created in College - Director of Education (Higher), U.P., Allahabad (hereinafter referred to as "Director") vide order dated 21st November, 2005 directed Principal of all Government Degree Colleges to initiate recruitment process for filling up vacancies of Class-III and Class-IV posts in their colleges - It is stated that It is claimed that Committee of Management of College issued an advertisement was published in daily newspaper “Dainik Jagran” on 17.12.2005 inviting vacancy of four posts in category of Lab Attendant (Class-IV) in Goswami Tulsi Das Rajkiya Snatakottar Mahavidyalaya Karvi, Chittrakoot (hereinafter referred to as “Institution”) calling applications from eligible candidates against four posts of Lab Attendant (Class-IV posts) .
Findings of the court: Court opinion that order of the Director as is impugned in the present writ petition, is unsustainable and it is hereby set aside - The matter is remitted to the Director to pass a fresh order after affording opportunity to the petitioner - The petitioner is at liberty to file a fresh representation along with supporting documents within three weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The Director shall consider the representation and the material filed by the petitioner and pass the appropriate order in accordance with law expeditiously.
Result: Writ petitions allowed.
JUDGMENT :
1. The instant writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been filed, interalia, praying for the following reliefs:
i) Issue a writ order or direction in the nature of certiorari quashing the order dated 22.06.2009 (Annexure No.10) to the writ petition passed by Director Higher Education U.P. Lucknow, respondent no.2.
(ii) Issue a writ order or direction in the nature of mandamus commanding the respondents to pay the salary to petitioner with arrears w.e.f. 01.03.2006 and month to month as and when falls due in accordance with law.
(iii) Issue a writ order or direction in the nature of mandamus commanding the respondents not to interfere in peaceful functioning as Class IV employee (peon).
2. The facts, in brief, are that the State Government vide a Government Order dated 14th September, 2005 created 145 posts of Class-III and Class-IV in the Government Degree/Post Graduate Colleges. Four posts each in the category of Lab Attendant and Lab Assistant were created in the College. The Director of Education (Higher), U.P., Allahabad (hereinafter referred to as the "Director") vide order dated 21st November, 2005 directed the Principal of all the Government Degree Colleges to initiate the recruitment process for filling up the vacancies of Class-III and Class-IV posts in their colleges. It is stated that It is claimed that the Committee of Management of the College issued an advertisement was published in daily newspaper “Dainik Jagran” on 17.12.2005 inviting vacancy of four posts in the category of Lab Attendant (Class-IV) in Goswami Tulsi Das Rajkiya Snatakottar Mahavidyalaya Karvi, Chittrakoot (hereinafter referred to as the “Institution”) calling applications from the eligible candidates against the four posts of Lab Attendant (Class-IV posts). The petitioner made application in pursuance of the said advertisement and they were found suitable by the Selection Committee and, accordingly, the Principal of the Institution issued appointment letters in favour of the petitioner on 28th February, 2006, in pursuance thereof the petitioner joined on 1st March, 2006 on the post of Peon and since then he is working in the Institution. It is alleged that despite the fact that the petitioner has been continuously working and discharging his duties, the payment of salary was withheld from March, 2006 without specifying any reason. Despite repeated representations having been filed by the petitioner before the respondent-authorities, the payment of salary of the petitioner continued to be withheld.
3. Aggrieved with the said action of the respondent-authorities, the petitioner filed Civil Misc. Writ Petition No.57104 of 2008 (Virendra Kumar Singh vs. State of U.P. and others) before this Court and vide order dated 12.11.2008, the writ petition has been disposed off. The order dated 12.11.2008 is quoted below:
“Contention of petitioner that he has been validly appointed, but no step is being undertaken for ensuring his remuneration since February, 2006.
Grievance raised by the petitioner can be very well looked into, examined and remedied by Director of Higher Education, U.P. Allahabad as such liberty is given to petitioner to represent his claim before the aforesaid authority within three weeks from today alongwith certified copy of this order. In this event of any such representation being made, the same shall be looked into, considered and appropriate decision be taken, in accordance with law, within next eight weeks, and the decision so taken shall be communicated to the petitioner.
In terms of above observation, present writ petition is disposed of.”
4. In compliance of the above order of this Court, the Director vide impugned order dated 22.06.2009 has rejected the claim of the petitioner, interalia, on the ground that the incumbent, who had made appointment of the petitioner, had under gone some disciplinary proceeding, which is said to have been taken against him for irregularity committed in the appointment o
SupremeToday
The court emphasized the need for a detailed enquiry into the appointment of the petitioners and highlighted the importance of compliance with rules for salary release and eligibility determination.
Utilizing services for a prolonged period, even without a sanctioned post, creates a legitimate expectation for remuneration. Non-payment for such services is unconstitutional and violates fundamenta....
The State Government's liability for salary payments to college staff as per Section 60-E of the U.P. State Universities Act, 1973, and the inability of government orders to override statutory rules.
Point of Law : Probation appointment - Appointment of the petitioner was not made on the said post of lecturer after following the requisite procedure under Statute 417 framed by the University.
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.