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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 25.01.2023

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESH

W.P

No.6948 of 2021

1. G.Malathy

2. P.Purusotharaj

3. Sangeetha.B

4. Athithan

5. S.Selvamuthu

6. RupaAllampalli

7. Subisha.T.K

8. A.Bactavatchalou

9. P.Kumaran

10.P.Arumugam

11.T.Kannan

12.S.Ramesh

13.L.Jayachandran

14.S.Siranjeevi

15.Palepu Chinababu

16.P.Parthiban

17.R.Umadevi

18.U.Sivaraj

19.N.Thayabaran

Petitioners

vs.

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1.Union of India

Rep by its Secretary,

Ministry of Agriculture Department and Co-Operation,

Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi- 110 001.

2.The Secretary to Government of Puducherry,

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department

New light House Road,

Vembakeerapalayam, Puducherry- 605 001.

3.The Government of Puducherry

Rep. by Director of Agriculture

Department of Agriculture

Puducherry.

4.The Additional Director of Agriculture (T and V)- Cum- Project Director

ATMA, Puducherry

Agricultural Complex, Thattanchavady

Puducheery- 605 009.

5.The Additional Director of Agriculture Cum- Project Director

ATMA , Karaikal,

Thalatheru,

Karaikal- 609 605.

Respondents

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for

issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to desist from

giving artificial breaks in the petitioners service and engage the petitioners in

the same post till the existence of the ATMA Scheme as Block Technology

Manager, Assistant Technology Manager, Computer Programmer, as the case

may be and thereby grant 10% enhancement in the salary annually, including

arrears and other consequential benefits flowing thereof.

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For Petitioners

: Mr.B.Kumar

Senior Counsel for

Mr.B.Shruthan

For Respondents

: Mr.Pazhani Raja

Central Government Standing Counsel

for R1

Mr.Syed Mustafa

Special Government Pleader

for R2 to R5

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed for the issue of writ of mandamus

directing the respondents to desist from giving artificial breaks in the services

of the petitioners and to engage the petitioners in the ATMA Scheme in the

same post and grant 10% enhancement in the salary annually and for a further

direction to the respondents to pay the arrears of salary and other benefits.

2.The petitioners are contractual employees working under Agricultural

Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme. The particulars of the

appointment of the petitioners is tabulated hereunder:

S.No

NAME

DESIGNATION

DoA

1

G.Malathy

BTM

19.12.2013

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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S.No

NAME

DESIGNATION

DoA

2

P.Purusotharaj

BTM

02.06.2014

3

B.Sangeetha

BTM

11.06.2014

4

A.Athithan

BTM

19.12.2013

5

S.Selvamuthu

BTM

26.02.2014

6

RupaAllampalli

BTM

19.12.2013

7

Subisha.T.K

BTM

26.06.2014

8

A.Bactavatchalou

BTM

26.02.2014

9

P.Kumaran

BTM

02.06.2014

10

P.Arumugam

BTM

26.10.2017

11

T.Kannan

BTM

02.11.2017

12

S.Ramesh

BTM

05.03.2020

13

L.Jayachandran

ATM

26.02.2014

14

S.Siranjeevi

ATM

26.02.2014

15

Palepu Chinababu

ATM

26.02.2014

16

P.Parthiban

ATM

03.11.2017

17

R.Umadevi

ATM

08.03.2019

18

U.Sivaraj

ATM

08.03.2019

19

N.Thayabaran

CP

12.01.2018

3.The petitioners were recruited by the contractors, nominated by the 2^nd

respondent. Initially, the petitioners underwent training conducted by ATMA

and on completion of the training, the petitioners have been appointed to their

respective posts.

4.The ATMA Scheme is completely funded by the Government of India

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insofar as the Union Territory of Puduchery is concerned. The Scheme itself

provides that the implementing authority of the Scheme shall be the concerned

State Government or the Union Territory, as the case may be. The Contractors

who receive the funds from the Government of India, should credit the salary of

the employees and it forms part of the expenses incurred by the contractors.

5.As per the ATMA guidelines, the remuneration is