Continuous ad-hoc service followed by regularization counts towards qualifying service for pension, and vested rights cannot be retrospectively revoked.

JUDGMENT

Order on Delay Condonation Application

Heard Sri. Neeraj Tripathi, learned Additional Advocate General assisted by Sri. Ankit Gaur, learned counsel for the State and Sri. Adarsh Singh and Sri. Ajeet Singh, learned counsels for the respondent.

2. Reasons for delay in filing the special appeal have been satisfactorily explained. Delay Condonation Application is consequently allowed. Office is directed to treat the appeal as having been filed within time. Regular Number would be allotted to the appeal.

Order on Appeal

3. Heard Sri. Tripathi in support of the appeal on merits and Sri. Adarsh Singh on behalf of the respondents.

4. Learned Single Judge vide the order under challenge has directed the appellant to process the claim of respondent/petitioner for payment of pension by counting his ad-hoc services rendered on the post of Assistant Teacher in L.T. Grade, prior to his regularization in accordance with Section 33G of the U.P. Secondary Education (Services Selection Board) Act, 1982 (hereinafter referred to as the Act of 1982).

5. Undisputed facts of this case are that the respondent/petitioner was appointed as L.T. Grade Teacher on ad-hoc basis in Kisan Inter College, Taharpur, Amroha vide order dated 14.01.1993. The ad-hoc appointment was against a short term vacancy. This appointment of respondent was approved by the District Inspector of Schools, Moradabad on 18.09.1993. The respondent was allowed to continue as L.T. Grade Teacher in the institution and all benefits of service were extended to him. The short term vacancy got converted into substantive vacancy. The Act of 1982 was amended vide U.P. Act No. 7 of 2016, as a result of which a teacher appointed in terms of the amended provision was held entitled to regularization. Section 33G of the Act of 1982, providing for such course is reproduced hereinafter:

"33-G. Regularisation of certain more appointments against short term vacancies-Any teacher, other than the Principal or the Headmaster, who-

(a) was appointed by promotion or by direct recruitment in the lecturer's grade or trained graduate grade on or after August 7, 1993, but not later than January 25, 1999 against a short term vacancy in accordance with paragraph 2 of the Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Services Commission (Removal of Difficulties) (Second) Order, 1981, as amended from time to time, and such vacancy was subsequently converted into a substantive vacancy:

(b) was appointed by promotion or by direct recruitment on or after August 7, 1993, but not later than December 30, 2000 on adhoc basis against substantive vacancy in accordance with Section 18, in the Lecturer grade or Trained Graduate grade;

(c) possesses the qualifications prescribed under, or is exempted (c from such qualification in accordance with, the provisions of the Intermediate Education Act, 1921;

(d) has been continuously serving the institution from the date of such appointment up to the date of the commencement of the Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Services Selection Board (Amendment) Act, 2016;

(e) has been found suitable for appointment in a substantive capacity by the selection committee referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (2) of Section 33-C in accordance with the procedure prescribed under clause (b) of the said sub-section; shall be given substantive appointments by the Management.

(2)(a) The names of the teachers shall be recommended for substantive appointment in order of seniority as determined from the date of their appointment;

(b) If two or more such teachers are appointed on the same date, the teacher who is elder in age shall be recommended first.

(3) Every teacher appointed in a substantive capacity under sub-section (1) shall be deemed to be on probation from the date of such substantive appointment.

(4) A teacher who is not found suitable under sub-section (1) and a teacher who is not eligible to get a substantive appointment under the said sub-section shall cease to hold the appointment on such da