Limbu and Bichappa vs The State, The Chief Conservator of Forest, The Deputy Conservator of Forest and The Range Forest Officer

Mohan M. Shantanagoudar, J.—Petitioners have sought for a direction to the respondents to consider their representation vide Annexure-E dated 16.08.2012 for regularization of services in the Forest Department.

Petitioners are stated to be working as watchers in the Forest Department on daily wage basis since 1992-93; according to them, they have already completed more than 20 years of service continuously as watchers, despite the same, their cases for regularization are not considered by the respondents as per law keeping in mind the views of the Apex Court on the subject.

Sri. N. Krishnacharya, learned counsel for the petitioners heavily relies upon the judgment of the Apex Court in the case of Secretary, State of Karnataka and Others Vs. Umadevi and Others, .

Learned Additional Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the respondents submits that the respondents will take decision in accordance with law.

Since the petitioners are stated to be working for more than 20 years as daily wagers and if they are entitled for regularization as per the dictum laid down by the Apex Court in the judgment mentioned supra, their cases shall be considered for regularization as early as possible but not later than the outer limit of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. By the said process, no prejudice or injustice will be caused to either of the parties. The employees who have been working for a long period on daily wage basis may have to be shown sympathy.

Accordingly, the writ petitions stand disposed of with a direction to the respondents to consider the prayer of the petitioners as per their representation dated 16.08.2012 vide Annexure-E for regularization of their services keeping in mind the observations of the Apex Court in the judgment mentioned supra within four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.