IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION APPELLATE SIDE Present:

The Hon’ble Justice Ananya Bandyopadhyay WPA 8847 of 2009 With CAN 3 of 2023 CAN 4 of 2023 Ganesh Kumbhakar & Ors.

-Vs.-

The West Bengal Power Development Corporation Ltd. & Ors.

For the Petitioners : Mr. Amitava Mukherjee, Ms. Arpita Saha For the Respondents : Mr. Ranjay De, Mr. Basabjit Banerjee Heard on : 10.01.2025 Judgment on : 19.05.2025 Ananya Bandyopadhyay, J.:-

1. The petitioners, all unemployed residents of villages surrounding Santaldih Thermal Power Station (STPS) in Purulia, filed a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. They challenged the inaction and arbitrary conduct of the West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) and Santaldih Thermal Power Station authorities in not engaging them in the Operation & Maintenance (O&M) work of Unit No. 5 of Santaldih Thermal Power Station, despite prior assurances and policy decisions.

2. In 2004, the General Manager of Santaldih Thermal Power Station requested the District Employment Exchange to sponsor 300 unskilled labourers from nearby villages. The petitioners were duly sponsored and engaged under contractor