Government must act timely on regularization requests for long-serving contract workers as per law.

J U D G M E N T

Dated this the 20^th day of February, 2026 The petitioners are workers engaged by the 2^nd respondent-Company on contract basis and have more than 15 years of uninterrupted service. Petitioners 1 and 2 are skilled workers with ITI qualification and are currently working as Carpenter and Electrician respectively. Petitioners 3 to 5 are unskilled workers. The petitioners are aggrieved by the delay in considering Ext.P5 recommendation for regularisation of service in the 2^nd respondent.

2. Although the 2^nd respondent is a profit making Company, the number of permanent employees is relatively low. The Company relies on contract employees for its daily operations. In the year 2020, as per Ext.P1, the 2^nd respondent has requested the Government to consider the regularisation of the daily wage workers, who have been working for more than 10 years continuously in the Company in permanent vacancies under skilled/unskilled worker category in a favourable manner.

3. In Ext.P1, the names of the petitioners are included as serial numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 respectively. The Government in response, requested the 3^rd respondent to furnish a copy of the Board decision to regularise daily wage employees of the Company. However, no positive action could be realised as the code of conduct in relation to the Legislative Assembly Election came into existence during that period.

4. Aggrieved, the workers again approached the 3^rd respondent and the 3^rd respondent sent Ext.P3 letter to the Government seeking instructions regarding further proceedings on regularisation of the daily waged employees as per Ext.P1. After considering Ext.P3, the Government issued Ext.P4, requesting to submit the recommendation for regularisation along with the decision of the Board of Directors of SILK on regularisation of the temporary employees and the list of such employee.

5. Subsequently, in the 22^4th meeting of the Board of Directors of the SILK held on 18.12.2025, it was resolved to continue with its earlier decision to regularise the temporary employees and forwarded Ext.P5 to the 1^st respondent on 07.01.2026. The petitioners have now crossed the age limit for seeking a permanent job. The petitioners have been working in the Company as workmen for quite a long period on contract basis without any break after their selection. However, the 1^st respondent is taking a lethargic approach towards Ext.P5, which is against the direction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in its recent judgments on regularisation of contract/daily waged employees with long service, contend the petitioners.

6. I have heard the learned Counsel for the petitioners and the learned Government Pleader representing the 1^st respondent. I have also heard the learned Standing Counsel for respondents 2 and 3. 7. The prayer of the petitioners is to direct the Government to consider Ext.P5 resolution of the Board regarding regularisation of the services of casual employees like the petitioners.

8. Ext.P5 indicates that the Board of the 2^nd respondent has taken a decision for regularisation of the service of daily wage workers who had completed 10 years of service. As the matter is pending before the 1^st respondent, it would be only just and proper that the 1^st respondent considers the same and takes a decision in accordance with law.

The writ petition is disposed of directing the 1^st respondent to consider proposal of the 2^nd respondent contained in Ext.P5 and take appropriate decision thereon within a period of three months.

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