Bombay High Court
Santosh S/O Datta Khadse And ... vs State Of Maha. Thr. Principal ... on 13 October, 2022
Bench: A.S. Chandurkar, Urmila Sachin Phalke
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR.
WRIT PETITION NO. 1609 OF 2020
1. The State of Maharashtra
Through its Principal Secretary,
Higher & Technical Education Department,
Mantralaya, Mumbai - 32
2. Directorate of Art,
State of Maharashtra,
Through its Director,
J. J. School of Art Campus,
Dr D. N. Road, Mumbai-1
3. Shashkiya Chitrakala Mahavidyalaya,
Through its Dean,
Opposite Deekshabhoomi,
Laxmi Nagar, Nagpur - 22 ... PETITIONERS
Versus
1. Santosh s/o Datta Khadse,
Aged about 45 years, Occ. Service,
Sangam Developer Building,
Vijayanand Society, Narendra Nagar,
Nagpur - 15
2. Mrunal d/o Vinod Joharapurkar
Mrunal w/o Nitin Dange (after marriage)
Aged 37 years, Occ. Service, North Park Avenue,
R/o 47/A Dr Bhiwapurkar Marg, Dhantoli,
Nagpur-12 ... RESPONDENTS
with
WRIT PETITION NO. 1592/2020
1. The State of Maharashtra,
through its Principal Secretary,
Higher and Technical Education Department,
Mantralaya, Mumbai-32.
2. Directorate of Art, State of Maharashtra,
Though its Director, J.J.School of Art Campus,
Dr.D.N.Road, Mumbai-1.
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3. Shaskiya Chitrakala Mahavidyalaya,
Through its Dean,
Opposite Deekshabhoomi,
Laxminagar, Nagpur-22. ... PETITIONERS
Versus
Deepali d/o Suresh Vyawahare
(Now Sau Deepali w/o Milind Limbekar)
Aged about 36 years, Occ. Service,
R/o.57, A/2 Kanchangeet,
Shivaji Nagar, Nagpur-440010. .. RESPONDENT
with
WRIT PETITION NO. 2371/2020
1. The State of Maharashtra,
through its Principal Secretary,
Higher and Technical Education Department,
Mantralaya, Mumbai-32.
2. Directorate of Art, State of Maharashtra,
Though its Director, J.J.School of Art Campus,
Dr.D.N.Road, Mumbai-1.
3. Shaskiya Chitrakala Mahavidyalaya,
Through its Dean,
Opposite Deekshabhoomi,
Laxminagar, Nagpur-22. ... PETITIONERS
Versus
1. Kishor s/o Dagambar Ingale,
Aged about 31 years, Occ. Service,
R/o Near Shrikrishna Mandir,
At P.O.Bori Arab, Tq. Darvha,
District Yavatmal-445201.
2. Prafulla S/o Sheshrao Nayse,
Aged about 35 years, Occ. Service,
R/o C/o. Jaydeeo G.Nayse,
163, S-1 Anand-5, Pandye Layout,
Khamla Road, Nagpur-440015.
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3. Pankaj s/o Ashok Itkelwar,
Aged about 32 years, Occ. Service,
R/o. Ward No.1, Bothli,
Near Gram Panchayat, Tq.Saoli
District Chandrapur-441 225. ... RESPONDENTS
with
WRIT PETITION NO. 2372/2020
1. The State of Maharashtra,
through its Principal Secretary,
Higher and Technical Education Department,
Mantralaya, Mumbai-32.
2. Directorate of Art, State of Maharashtra,
Though its Director, J.J.School of Art Campus,
Dr.D.N.Road, Mumbai-1.
3. Sir J. J. Institute of applied Art,
Through its Dean,
Dr.D.N.Road, Fort, Mumbai-400001. ... PETITIONERS
Versus
1. Chetan s/o Ramakant Jagtap,
Aged about 38 years, Occ. Service,
R/o Jagtap Complex, Post Devgad,
Tq. Devgad, District Sindhudurg-416612.
2. Rahul s/o Dhondioram Thorat,
Aged about 38 years, Occ. Service,
R/o. N-11, F-5/8, Navjivan Colony,
Hudco, Aurangabad-431003.
3. Hemant s/o Bharat Ravandale,
Aged about 35 years, Occ. Service,
R/o Plot No.57, Bholebaba Nagar,
Near Kolwale Nagar, Behind Nisarg Upchar Kendra,
Malegaon Road, Dhule-424001.
4. Sailesh s/o Daulatrao Sautkar,
Aged about 43 years, Occ. Service,
R/o 80, Gajanan Nagar,
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Raghukul-5, 3rd floor, Wardha Road,
Nagpur-440015.
5. Deepa d/o Ashok Shegaonkar,
Aged about 31 years, Occ. Service,
R/o Sai Deep Residence, Khanda Colony,
Sector 4, 2nd Floor, Room No. 201,
New Panvel, Mumbai.
6. Rahul s/o Ravindra Meshram,
Aged about 37 years, Occ. Service,
R/o. Shakambari, CHS Flat No.02,
Plot No.82, Ground Floor, Kansal,
Bhidewadi, Ambarnath (East),
District Thane-421501. .. .. RESPONDENTS
with
WRIT PETITION NO. 2373 OF 2020
1. The State of Maharashtra,
Through its Principal Secretary,
Higher and Technical Education Department,
Mantralaya, Mumbai-32.
2. Directorate of Art, State of Maharashtra,
Though its Director, J.J.School of Art Campus,
Dr.D.N.Road, Mumbai-1.
3. Sir J. J. School of Art,
Through its Dean, Sir J. J. School of Art Campus,
Dr.D.N.Road, Fort, Mumbai-400 001. ....... PETITIONERS
Versus
1. Vijay s/o Vishnu Bondar,
Aged about 33 years, Occ. Service,
R/o. Parth Sadan, Mahasul Colony,
Behind Tashil Office, Kallam,
Tq. Kallam, District Osmanabad-413507.
2. Abhijeet s/o Baban Salunke,
Aged about 33 years, Occ. Service,
R/o. Mali Galli, Tajgaon,
Tq. Tajgaon, District Sangli-416312.
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3. Yashwant s/o Bhagwan Bhavsar,
Aged about 33 years, Occ. Service,
R/o. F/101, Laxmi Nagar (Kardal),
Saphale, Tq. and District Palghar-401102.
4. Shreekant s/o Tumadu Khairnar,
Aged about 36 years, Occ. Service,
R/o Mukund Co-operative Housing Society,
Godavari Building, 2nd Floor, Room No.11,
Thane (West) 400601.
5. Shardul s/o Sambhaji Kadam,
Aged about 32 years, Occ. Service,
R/o. C/o Sujata Thombre,
101, Nageshwar Kripa Society,
Opposite KBMC, Kulgaon,
Badlapur(East), Thane-421503.
6. Shailesh s/o Ramrao Dudhalkar,
Aged about 38 years, Occ. Service,
R/o. Shivaji Ward, Warora, Tq. Warora
District Chandrapur-442907.
7. Shashank s/o Balram Mhashilkar,
Aged about 29 years, Occ. Service,
R/o. 001-B/Wing Building No.2,
Morya Nagari, Manera Road,
Ulhas Nagar-421004.
8. Prafulla s/o Pramod Satokar,
Aged about 39 years, Occ. Service,
R/o.401, Divyakshi Co-operative Housing Society,
Near Mayuresh Park, Pakhadi Road,
Khadegaon, Kalwa (West), Thane-400605.
9. Prakash s/o Hari Sonawane,
Aged about 36 years, Occ. Service,
R/o 601, A-4, Sukur Residency,
Near Saibaba Complex, Anand Nagar,
G.B.Road, Thane (West) -400 601. ....... RESPONDENTS
with
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WRIT PETITION NO. 2374/2020
1. The State of Maharashtra,
through its Principal Secretary,
Higher and Technical Education Department,
Mantralaya, Mumbai-32.
2. Directorate of Art, State of Maharashtra,
Though its Director, J.J.School of Art Campus,
Dr.D.N.Road, Mumbai-1.
3. Government School of Art,
Through its Dean,
Janana Mahal, Kile Ark
Aurangabad-431001. ... PETITIONERS
Versus
1. Pradip s/o Jankiram Kumavat,
Aged about 39 years, Occ. Service,
R/o Tilak Nagar, Silod,
Near Kalika Mata Mandir,
Tah. Sillod, District Aurangabad-431001.
2. Narayan s/o Punjaram Sonawane,
Aged about 34 years, Occ. Service,
R/o. Sector No. 155, Plot No.46,
Gokul Nagar, Surewadi, Aurangabad-431001.
3. Sharad s/o Vitthalrao Mahure,
Aged about 51 years, Occ. Service,
R/o. 9, Shri Swami Vivekanand Puram,
Peer Bazar, Usmanpura,
Aurangabad-431001.
4. Ashwini d/o Ramesh Salodkar,
Aged about 31 years, Occ. Service,
C/o. V.S.Kulkarni, Block No.11,
Municipal Colony, Kile Ark,
Aurangabad-431001. .. RESPONDENTS
with
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WRIT PETITION NO.2411 OF 2021
1. Santosh s/o Datta Khadse,
Aged about 47 years, Occ. Service,
R/o. 302, Shobha Apartment ,
Sangam Developer Building, Vijayanand Society,
Narendra Nagar, Nagpur - 15
2. Mrunal d/o Vinod Joharapurkar
Mrunal w/o Nitin Dange (after marriage)
Aged about 39 years, Occ. Service,
R/o Dr Bhiwapurkar Marg, Dhantoli,
Nagpur- 12 ... PETITIONERS
Versus
1. The State of Maharashtra,
Through its Principal Secretary,
Higher & Technical Education Department,
Mantralaya, Mumbai - 32
2. Directorate of Art,
State of Maharashtra,
Through its Director,
J. J. School of Art Campus,
Dr D. N. Road, Mumbai-1
3. Shaskiya Chitrakala Mahavidyalaya,
(Now Govt. College of Art and Design)
Through its Dean,
Opposite Deekshabhoomi,
Laxmi Nagar, Nagpur - 22
4. Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal,
Nagpur, Through its Vice Chairman ... RESPONDENTS
with
WRIT PETITION NO.2412 OF 2021
1. Kishor S/o Digambar Ingale,
Aged about 38 yrs., Occ. Service,
R/o Near Shrikrishna Mandir,
At & Po Bori Arab, Tq. Darvha,
Dist. Yavatmal 445201.
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 8/50
2. Prafulla S/o Sheshrao Nayse,
Aged about 43 yrs. Occ. Service,
R/o C/o Jaydeep G. Nayse,
163, S-1, Anand-5, Pandye Layout,
Khamla Road, Nagpur 440015.
3. Pankaj S/o Ashok Itkelwar,
Aged about 39 yrs., Occ. Service,
R/o Ward No.1, Bothli,
Near Gram Panchayat, Tah. Saoli,
Distt. Chandrapur-441225 ... PETITIONERS
versus
1. The State of Maharashtra,
Through its Principal Secretary,
Higher & Technical Education Department,
Mantralaya, Mumbai - 32.
2. Directorate of Art, State of Maharashtra,
Through its Director,
J. J. School of Art Campus,
Dr D. N. Road, Mumbai-1.
3. Shaskiya Chitrakala Mahavidyalaya,
(Now Govt. College of Art and Design)
Through its Dean,
Opposite Deekshabhoomi,
Laxmi Nagar, Nagpur - 22.
4. Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal,
Nagpur, Through its Vice Chairman ... RESPONDENTS
with
WRIT PETITION NO.2413 OF 2021
1. Pradip S/o Jankiram Kumavat,
Aged about 44 yrs., Occ. Service,
R/o Tilak Nagar, Sillod, Near Kalika Mata Mandir,
Tah. Sillod, Dist. Aurangabad-431001.
2. Narayan S/o Punjaram Sonawane,
Aged about 40 yrs. Occ. Service,
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R/o Sector No.155, Plot No.46,
Gokul Nagar, Surewadi, Aurangabad 431 001.
3. Sharad S/o Vitthalrao Mahure,
Aged about 57 yrs., Occ. Service,
R/o Plot No.9, Shri Swami Vivekanand Puram Society,
Peer Bazar, Osmanpura, Aurangabad-431 005.
4. Ashwini D/o Ramesh Salodkar,
Aged about 36 years, Occu: Service,
C/o V. S. Kulkarni, Block No.11,
Municipal Colony, Kile Ark,
Aurangabad-431 001 ... PETITIONERS
Versus
1. The State of Maharashtra,
Through its Principal Secretary,
Higher & Technical Education Department,
Mantralaya, Mumbai - 32.
2. Directorate of Art, State of Maharashtra,
Through its Director,
J. J. School of Art Campus,
Dr D. N. Road, Mumbai-1.
3. Government School of Art,
Through its Dean, Janana Mahal,
Kile Ark, Aurangabad-431 001.
4. Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal,
Nagpur, Through its Vice Chairman ... RESPONDENTS
with
WRIT PETITION NO.2414 OF 2021
1. Rahul S/o Dhondiram Thorat,
Aged about 43 yrs., Occ. Service,
R/o N-11, F-5/8, Navjivan Colony,
HUDCO, Aurangabad-431 003.
2. Hemant S/o Bharat Ravandale,
Aged about 40 yrs. Occ. Service,
R/o Plot No.57, Bholebaba Nagar,
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Near Kolwale Nagar, Behind Nisarg Upchar Kendra,
Malegaon Road, Dhule-424001.
3. Shailesh S/o Daulat Sautkar,
Aged about 48 yrs., Occ. Service,
R/o 80, Gajanan Nagar,
"Raghukul-5", 3rd Floor,
Wardha Road, Nagpur 440015.
4. Deepa D/o Ashok Shegaonkar,
Aged about 35 years, Occ: Service,
R/o House No. Plot No.40, Sarswat Vihar,
Old Chincholi Road, At Post Taluka Shegaon,
Dist. Buldhana, Shegaon-444203.
5. Rahul S/o Ravindra Meshram,
Aged about 43 yrs., Occ: Service,
R/o Shakambhari, C.H.S. Flat No.02,
Plot No.82, Ground floor, Kansai,
Bhidewadi, Ambarnath (East),
Distt. Thane-421501 ... PETITIONERS
Versus
1. The State of Maharashtra,
Through its Principal Secretary,
Higher & Technical Education Department,
Mantralaya, Mumbai - 32.
2. Directorate of Art, State of Maharashtra,
Through its Director,
J. J. School of Art Campus,
Dr D. N. Road, Mumbai-1.
3. Sir J. J. Institute of Applied Art,
Through its Dean,
Dr D. N. Road, Fort,
Mumbai 400 001.
4. Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal,
Nagpur, Through its Vice Chairman ... RESPONDENTS
with
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WRIT PETITION NO.2415 OF 2021
1. Vijay S/o Vishnu Bondar,
Aged about 38 yrs., Occ. Service,
R/o Parth Sadan, Mahasul Colony,
Behind Tahsil Office, Kallam,
Tq-Kallam, Distt. Osmanabad - 413507
2. Abhijit S/o Baban Salunkhe,
Aged about 38 yrs. Occ. Service,
R/o Mali Galli, Tasgaon,
Tq. Tasgaon, Distt. Sangli - 416312.
3. Yashwant S/o Bhagwan Bhavsar,
Aged about 38 yrs., Occ. Service,
R/o F/101, Laxmi Nagar (Kardal),
Saphale, Tq. & Dist. Palghar-401102.
4. Shreekant S/o Tumadu Khairnar,
Aged about 41 years, Occ: Service,
R/o Mukund Co-Operative Housing Society,
Godavari Building, 2nd floor, Room No.11,
Thane (West) 400601.
5. Shardul S/o Sambhaji Kadam,
Aged about 37 yrs., Occ: Service,
R/o C/o Sujata Thombre, 101,
Nageshwar Kripa Society, Opp. KBMC, Kulgaon,
Badlapur (East), Thane 421503.
6. Shashank S/o Balram Mhashilkar,
Aged about 34 yrs., Occ: Service,
R/o 001-B/Wing Building No.2,
Morya Nagari, Manera Road,
Ulhas Nagar - 421004.
7. Prafulla S/o Pramod Satokar,
Aged about 44 years, Occ; Service,
R/o 401, Divyakshi Co-Operative Housing Society,
Near Mayuresh Park, Pakhadi Road,
Khadegaon, Kalwa (West) Thane-400605.
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8. Prakash S/o Hari Sonawane,
Aged about 41 years, Occ. Service,
R/o 601, A-4, Sukur Residency,
Near Saibaba Complex, Anand Nagar,
G. B. Road, Thane (West)-400067 .
Amended as per
9. Shailesh S/o Ramrao Dudhalkar,
Court's order Aged about 45 years, Occu. Service,
dated 25.08.2022 R/o Shivaji ward, Warora, Tq. Warora,
sd/-counsel for Distt. Chandrapur ... PETITIONERS
petitioner/
applicant
versus
1. The State of Maharashtra,
Through its Principal Secretary,
Higher & Technical Education Department,
Mantralaya, Mumbai - 32.
2. Directorate of Art,
State of Maharashtra, Through its Director,
J. J. School of Art Campus,
Dr D. N. Road, Mumbai-1.
3. Sir J. J. School of Art,
Through its Dean, Sir J. J. School of Art Campus,
Dr D. N. Road, Fort,
Mumbai 400 001.
4. Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal,
Nagpur, Through its Vice Chairman ... RESPONDENTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shri M.G.Bhangde, Senior Advocate with Ms K. R. Deshpande, Assistant
Government Pleader for Petitioners in Writ Petition Nos. 1609/2020,
1592/2020, 2371/2020, 2372/2020, 2373/2020 and 2374/2020 and for
respondents in Writ Petition Nos. 2411/2021, 2412/2021, 2413/2021,
2414/2021 and 2415/2021.
Shri R.L.Khapre, Senior Advocate with Shri M. R. Johrapurkar, Advocate for
respondents/Lecturers Writ Petition Nos. 1609/2020, 1592/2020,
2371/2020, 2372/2020, 2373/2020 and 2374/2020 and for petitioners-
Lecturers in Writ Petition Nos. 2411/2021, 2412/2021, 2413/2021,
2414/2021 and 2415/2021.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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CORAM :- A.S.CHANDURKAR AND URMILA JOSHI-PHALKE, JJ.
ARGUMENTS WERE HEARD ON : 25.08.2022
JUDGMENT IS PRONOUNCED ON : 13.10.2022
JUDGMENT (Per A.S.CHANDURKAR, J.)
In this batch of writ petitions a challenge has been raised to the
direction issued by the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal, Nagpur (for short,
the Tribunal) to regularise the services of 25 Lecturers in various colleges in the
faculty of Arts that are administered by the State Government as well as to confer
permanency to them. It has been further directed that the said Lecturers would be
entitled for regular salary from 01.10.2019 but would not be entitled to claim any
monetary benefits for the services rendered by them earlier. The benefit of
continuity in service has been granted for all other purposes. Consequentially the
process of recruitment initiated by the State Government through the Maharashtra
Public Service Commission (MPSC) has been quashed to the extent of the posts
held by the aforesaid Lecturers.
The Lecturers in turn have sought monetary benefits based on the
relief of regularisation which relief was denied by the Tribunal.
2. The facts relevant for considering the challenge as raised to the order
passed by the Tribunal is that on 25.07.2002 the State Government through the
Higher and Technical Education Department issued a Government Resolution
noting that since the year 1998 there was a ban on recruitment in view of such
decision taken by the Finance Department. As a result, it was not possible to fill in
various posts in Government Aided Educational Institutions. This had affected the
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education of the students. In the year 2001-02, permission had been granted to
fill in 50% of the vacant posts. However, all the posts could not be filled in as a
result of which 6543 posts were vacant in the academic session 2002-03. Since it
was found that as a result of the posts remaining vacant the education of the
students was being affected, it was resolved to fill in two-third of the said vacant
posts by making temporary appointments on contractual basis. It was stated that
such appointments would be for a maximum period of two years on contractual
basis or till the period regularly selected candidates were available. The
appointees were required to have passed the National Eligibility Test (NET) / State
Eligibility Test (SET). A Selection Committee was directed to be constituted at
each University as well as in Senior Colleges for making such appointments. In
addition, social reservation was also required to be followed.
3. Pursuant to the aforesaid Government Resolution an advertisement
was issued on 15.09.2003 by the Director of Arts inviting applications to fill in the
posts of Lecturers on contractual basis. Similar advertisements were also issued on
08.12.2005 and 13.12.2007. The Lecturers herein responded to the said
advertisements and they were accordingly issued orders of appointment for a
period of eleven months on contractual basis. Each lecturer was required to sign
an agreement in which the terms and conditions of the Government Resolution
dated 25.07.2002 were incorporated.
4. The appointments of the Lecturers on contractual basis were
extended from time to time on the same terms and conditions. On 08.02.2006 the
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Higher and Technical Education Department issued a Government Resolution in
which the benefit of leave to such contractual appointees was sought to be given.
It was however clarified that when the services would come to end, the leave that
remained unutilised would not be permitted to be encashed. Thereafter on
20.12.2007 the said Department renewed the contractual appointment of various
Lecturers on the same terms and conditions. On 16.03.2009 another Government
Resolution came to be issued by which the amount of honourarium of Rs.8,000/-
per month was enhanced to Rs.12,000/- per month from 01.04.2009. Yet again
on 05.05.2011 after noting that the nature of duties of the contractually appointed
Lecturers were similar to regularly appointed Lecturers alongwith working hours, it
was resolved to enhance the honourarium from Rs.12,000/- to Rs.24,000/- per
month. This was followed by another Government Resolution dated 12.10.2011
enhancing the amount of honourarium to the Lecturers herein.
On 22.01.2009 the Medical Education and Drugs Department of the
State of Maharashtra as a special case directed regularisation of services of
contractually appointed Lecturers at the Government Medical and Dental College.
This benefit was made available to such staff that was appointed prior to
15.01.2007. The Higher and Technical Education Department on 27.06.2014
regularised the services of Lecturers in Group A. The Tribal Development
Department on 08.07.2014 took a decision to regularise the services of 414
appointees on various vacant posts. On 25.07.2014 temporary appointment of 46
Lecturers was permitted by the said Department. Similarly, the Higher and
Technical Education Department on 12.03.2015 permitted appointment of 72
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posts on contractual basis.
5. The Higher and Technical Education Department in compliance of
the judgment of this Court in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others Vs. State of
Maharashtra and another [2014 (2) Mh.L.J. 36] regularised the services of 62
contractual lecturers on 14.01.2015 and 317 contractual lecturers on 13.03.2015.
The Lecturers herein had made a representation seeking similar reliefs. There was
no response to the same and hence the Lecturers filed various Original
Applications under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 seeking
the relief of regularisation and permanency on the post of Lecturer on which they
were appointed on contractual basis. According to them, by the orders dated
25.07.2014 and 12.03.2015 though the appointment on contractual basis was
permitted, it was directed that no further extension should be granted. The
Lecturers relied upon the decision of the Division Bench of this Court in Sachin
Ambadas Dawale and others (supra) by which the services of similarly placed ad
hoc employees who had been appointed pursuant to the Government Resolution
dated 25.07.2002 had been directed to be regularised. The Tribunal initially on
28.04.2015 granted ad-interim relief and directed the State Government not to
discontinue the services of the Lecturers until further orders. In the meanwhile, on
13.04.2016 the MPSC issued an advertisement seeking to recruit Lecturers at
Government Arts Colleges. The Lecturers herein thus moved fresh applications
seeking interim relief so as to restrain the State Government from making any
appointments pursuant to the said advertisement. On 05.05.2016 the Tribunal
granted interim relief and directed the State Government not to conduct further
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recruitment process in terms of the advertisement dated 13.04.2016 with regard to
the posts held by the Lecturers herein.
6. The State Government filed its reply before the Tribunal and took the
stand that though the Lecturers were duly qualified and appointed against the
sanctioned posts, their recruitment fell within the purview of MPSC and as the said
Lecturers were not selected by the MPSC under a regular process of selection, their
appointments were illegal. It may be stated that the Lecturers in the meanwhile
had amended the Original Applications and had also prayed for setting aside the
process of recruitment initiated by the State Government through the MPSC.
The Tribunal considered the matter in the light of the pleadings of
the parties. Placing reliance on the decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and
others (supra) it was noted that the Government Resolution dated 25.07.2002
pursuant to which the Lecturers were appointed was also the subject matter of
consideration in the aforesaid decision. It noted that the services of the Lecturers
were governed by the same Government Resolution. There was no selection made
by the MPSC but the selection had been made by a Selection Committee as
indicated in the said Government Resolution. The Tribunal also referred to the
decision in Arjun Singh and others vs. State of Himachal Pradesh [(2015) 15 SCC
713] and thereafter proceeded to grant the relief of regularisation to the Lecturers
with a direction to absorb them in service within a period of three months.
However, monetary relief as claimed by the Lecturers was denied to them. Being
aggrieved by the aforesaid decision, the State Government has challenged the
same in Writ Petition Nos. 1609/2020, 1592/2020, 2371/2020, 2372/2020,
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2373/2020 and 2374/2020. The Lecturers being aggrieved by the non-grant of
monetary relief have filed Writ Petition Nos. 2411/2021, 2412/2021, 2413/2021,
2414/2021 and 2415/2021 and have prayed that they be held entitled to such
monetary relief.
7. Shri M.G.Bhangde, learned Senior Advocate for the State
Government in support of the challenge to the order passed by the Tribunal
granting the relief of regularisation submitted that the Tribunal erred in granting
such relief. The appointment of the Lecturers was purely as a stopgap
arrangement with a view to ensure that there was no loss caused to the students
on account of various posts of Lecturers lying vacant. The Government Resolution
dated 25.07.2002 clearly stipulated that the appointment on such posts was to be
made on contractual basis for a period of eleven months and on a fixed amount of
honourarium. Each Lecturer had been appointed on contractual basis pursuant to
the advertisements as issued and the Lecturers had thereafter executed bonds
wherein it was clearly indicated that their appointments were on contractual basis.
The Lecturers did not challenge the said Government Resolution but in fact relied
upon the same while being appointed. In absence of any legal right to be
regularised or the grant of relief of permanency, the Tribunal was not justified in
granting such relief. Inviting attention to the Recruitment Rules for the post of
Lecturer as published by the Notification dated 16.02.1983, it was submitted that
the said Rules were framed in exercise of powers conferred by Article 309 of the
Constitution of India. In the said Rules, it was specifically provided that the
appointment on the post of Lecturer in a Government Art Institute was pursuant to
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the selection being made by the MPSC. It was undisputed that each Lecturer was
not appointed in the manner prescribed by the said Recruitment Rules. On that
basis it was submitted by relying on the decision in Arjun Singh and others (supra)
that the appointments therein having been made by the State Public Service
Commission entitled the appellants therein to the relief of regularisation. The
Tribunal erred in placing reliance on the said decision while granting relief to the
Lecturers. Inviting attention to the decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others
(supra) it was submitted that the relief granted therein was in the peculiar facts of
that case. The ratio of the said decision could not have been applied in the facts of
the present case for various reasons. He submitted that the Division Bench which
had decided the aforesaid case had itself clarified its decision in Sachin Ambadas
Dawale and others (supra) while passing an order in Civil Application (W) No.828
of 2017 in that case on 27.04.2017. It had been clarified that the judgment in
Sachin Ambadas Dawale did not lay the ratio that persons who were appointed on
purely contractual or temporary basis without following the due selection process
as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Secretary, State of Karnataka and
others Vs. Umadevi and others [(2006) 4 SCC 1] were entitled for regularisation.
In that context reference was also made to the observations in paragraphs 15 to
17, 45 to 47 as well as paragraphs 52 to 54 of the decision in Umadevi and others
(supra). On the aspect as to whether the Lecturers could claim that their
appointment was merely irregular or not illegal, the learned Senior Advocate
referred to the decision in National Fertilizers Limited and others vs. Somvir Singh
[(2006) 5 SCC 493] and submitted that if the Recruitment Rules had not been
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 20/50
followed, the appointment could not be treated to be irregular. The Lecturers
having accepted their contractual appointment and having discharged duties
accordingly, they were estopped from challenging such nature of contractual
appointment and for said purpose reliance was placed on the decision in State of
Maharashtra and others vs. Anita and another [(2016) 8 SCC 293].
8. It was then submitted by the learned Senior Advocate for the State
Government that the judgment of the Division Bench in Sachin Ambadas Dawale
and others (supra) had been distinguished in various subsequent decisions by
other Division Benches of this Court. Inviting attention to the decision in Rajesh A
Bharte and others vs. Union of India and another [(2018) SCC Online Bom 2905]
it was submitted that the said decision could not have been relied upon by the
Tribunal for granting the relief of regularisation. Reference was also made to the
decision in Hareshbhai Mohanbhai Patel and others vs. Union of India and others [
2018 (6) Mh.L.J. 185]. It was also submitted that in Mahesh Madhukar Wagh and
others vs. State of Maharashtra and others [2019 (6) Mh.L.J. 8], Hon'ble
Shri B.R.Gavai, J.(as His Lordship then was) had observed that the decision in
Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others (supra) to which His Lordship was a party was
being widely mis-quoted. That judgment was sought to be explained by observing
that the theory of legitimate expectation cannot be successfully advanced by
temporary, contractual or casual employees. It was further observed that if it was
known to all probable candidates that the appointments that were to be made for a
temporary period were to be subsequently regularised, many other eligible
candidates who had otherwise not applied but were eligible could have also
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 21/50
applied for appointment. If an order of regularisation was passed it would be in
contravention of Article 14 of the Constitution of India. The decision in Union of
India and another Vs. Lalita V. Mertia [(2022) 1 CLR 833] was referred where
another Division Bench considered the decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and
others (supra) as clarified in the subsequent decision in Mahesh Madhukar Wagh
and others (supra) and it was observed that the decision in Sachin Ambadas
Dawale and others (supra) must be held to be a decision which turns on its own
facts. The aspect that there could be candidates having equal or better
qualifications than those appointed on contractual basis but may not have applied
for appointment since such appointment was for a short period would be
prejudiced if the relief of regularisation would be granted was highlighted. On this
basis it was submitted that decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others (supra)
having been clarified by the same Division Bench which decided that case and
having been explained in the subsequent judgment in Mahesh Madhukar Wagh
and others (supra), the ratio that judgment would not be applicable to the case in
hand. In the present case, the Lecturers were appointed pursuant to three
advertisements issued by the Higher and Technical Education Department while in
the case of Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others (supra) there was only one
advertisement pursuant to which the appointments had been made. The Tribunal
erred in basing its decision on the decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others
(supra).
On the aspect of monetary relief claimed by the Lecturers which
relief was denied by the Tribunal, the learned Senior Advocate placed reliance on
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the decision in State of Haryana and others vs. Charanjit Singh and others [(2006)
9 SCC 321] wherein it was held that persons selected by the Selection Committee
on the basis of merit with due regard to the seniority can be granted a higher pay-
scale as they have been evaluated by a Competent Authority and in such cases, the
payment of higher pay-scale cannot be challenged. Persons employed on
contractual basis could not claim equal pay on the basis of equal pay for equal
work. Referring to the decision in State of Madhya Pradesh and others Vs.
Ramesh Chandra Bajpai [(2009) 13 SCC 635] it was submitted that for invoking
the said doctrine there has to be wholesale identity between the holders of two
posts. It was thus submitted that the Lecturers were not entitled for any monetary
relief whatsoever much less relief of regularisation of services and permanency.
9. Attention was then invited to the affidavit filed on behalf of the
Dean, Government of Arts and Design College dated 02.08.2022 in which it was
stated that pursuant to the Government Resolution dated 08.07.2020 issued by the
Higher and Technical Education Department, 135 posts of Lecturers were being
abolished. The said posts pertained to Arts Colleges including the Government Art
and Design College, Nagpur. It was noted that on the said 135 posts, 27 Lecturers
were regularly appointed while on 26 posts contractual Lecturers were working
and on 11 posts seasonal temporary Lecturers were working. The continuation of
contractual and temporary Lecturers was pursuant to the interim orders passed by
the Courts and as and when those posts become vacant, such vacant posts would
be filled in on the basis of qualifications and eligibility prescribed by the All India
Council for Technical Education (AICTE). On the basis of this Government
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 23/50
Resolution, it was urged that there was no sanctioned post available on which the
appointment of the Lecturers herein who were 25 in number could be regularised.
It was further submitted that in the absence of the MPSC being impleaded as a
party before the Tribunal, no relief based on its advertisement could be claimed by
the Lecturers. Referring to the provisions of Article 315 of the Constitution of
India it was submitted that the Public Service Commission was an independent
constitutional authority and it could not be termed as an agent of the State
Government. Since its advertisement was subjected to challenge, the MPSC ought
to have been impleaded as a party to the proceedings before the Tribunal.
Thus on the basis of aforesaid submissions it was urged on behalf of
the State Government that the order passed by the Tribunal be set aside and the
Original Applications be dismissed.
10. On the other hand Shri R.L.Khapre, learned Senior Advocate for the
Lecturers supported the order passed by the Tribunal to the extent the relief of
regularisation and absorption was granted. According to him, the Tribunal was
justified in relying upon the decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others
(supra) inasmuch as sanctioned posts were existing as indicated by the
Government Resolution dated 25.07.2002. The Lecturers were appointed
pursuant to advertisements issued and after having been interviewed by the
Committee as stipulated. Since the appointment of the Lecturers no steps were
taken by the MPSC to make any regular appointment and it was only
on 13.04.2016 that the MPSC issued an advertisement after about fourteen years.
By that period the Lecturers herein had crossed the upper age limit as prescribed
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and were thus not eligible to participate in that process. The recruitment now
sought to be undertaken by the State Government was through the MPSC and it
was not necessary to implead the MPSC as a party before the Tribunal. The aspect
that the MPSC was a necessary party was not raised before the Tribunal and the
same could not be permitted to be raised now for the first time. MPSC merely
acted as an agent of the State while undertaking recruitment. Referring to various
Government Resolutions issued from time to time it was submitted that service
benefits such as leave, etc. were made available to the contractual Lecturers. Their
monetary honourarium was also enhanced from time to time after noticing that
they were discharging similar duties as were being discharged by the Lecturers
appointed through the MPSC. It was pointed out that in various other
Departments of the State Government the services of such temporary and
contractual appointees had been regularised and there was no reason to deprive
the Lecturers herein of such benefit. Irrespective of the Department in which such
temporary and contractual appointees were serving, they all formed a class in
themselves. The State Government could not be permitted to discriminate
between such employees of various departments. Their appointment was made
through a Selection Committee as constituted under the Government Resolution
and hence it could not be said that their appointments were illegal. Even if it was
assumed that the appointment of the Lecturers was irregular in any manner they
could not be deprived of the relief of regularisation as granted by the Tribunal.
11. It was then submitted that the State Government as a model
employer could not be permitted to act in an arbitrary manner by denying the
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 25/50
relief of regularisation of services. Inviting attention to the interim order passed by
the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Radha Dubey Vs. Government of NCT Delhi dated
16.08.2010 wherein it was prima facie observed that the appointment of a person
on contractual basis for an uninterrupted period of ten years amounted to
exploitation, it was urged that as a model employer the State Government could
not take advantage of its superior position. In the light of the decision of the
Hon'ble Supreme Court in A.Umarani Vs. Registrar, Co-operative Societies and
others [(2004) 7 SCC 112] the State Government on 25.08.2005 issued a Circular
in which it was stated that all necessary steps should be taken to ensure that the
appointment on sanctioned posts ought to be made through the procedure
prescribed and in accordance with law. Only if it was extremely urgent or
necessary that an appointment could be made for a temporary period. It was also
necessary to clarify that if request was made for regularisation of services, such
employees should be informed that the request would not be accepted. Despite
issuance of aforesaid Circular, the State Government itself issued various
subsequent Government Resolutions in breach of that Circular and permitted
appointments to be made on contractual basis for a temporary period. As a model
employer it was not permissible for the State Government to disregard the law of
the land. Since the State Government itself did not follow the directions that were
issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in A.Umarani (supra), it could not be
permitted to rely upon the decision in Umadevi and others (supra) for denying the
relief of regularisation to the Lecturers. In that regard, the learned Senior
Advocate for the Lecturers also placed reliance on the decision in Maharashtra
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 26/50
State Road Transport Corporation vs. Casteribe Rajya Parivahan Karmachari
Sanghtana [(2009) 8 SCC 556], State of Karnataka and others Vs. M.L.Kesari and
others [(2010) 9 SCC 247], Narendra Kumar Tiwari and others vs. State of
Jharkhand [(2018) 8 SCC 238] and Union of India and others Vs. Central
Administrative Tribunal [(2009) 4 SCC 290]. It was also submitted that each
Lecturer had obtained the requisite qualifications as prescribed by AICTE. While
the educational qualifications to be considered ought to be as prescribed by the
AICTE, the service conditions as prescribed by the University Grants Commission
Regulations would operate. Reference in this regard was made to the observations
in paragraph 27 of the decision in Association of Management of Private Colleges
Vs. All India Council for Technical Education and others [AIR 2013 SC 2410].
Referring to the decision in Central Inland Water Transport Corporation Limited
and another Vs. Brojo Nath Ganguly and another [(1986) 3 SCC 156] , it was
submitted that the appointment and continuation of a Lecturer on contractual
basis amounted to exploitation by the State. He also referred to the decision in
Delhi Transport Corporation vs. DTC Mazdoor Congress and others [ 1991 SUPP.
(1) SCC 600]. It was also pointed out that each Lecturer was discharging regular
duties and some of them had been appointed as external and internal examiners
from time to time. The services of similarly placed lecturers and other employees
from other Departments of the State Government having been regularised, there
was no reason to deny such relief to the Lecturers herein. The distinction sought
to be made by the State Government of the decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale
and others (supra) was incorrect. The Lecturers herein were similarly situated as
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 27/50
the Lecturers in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others (supra), they having been
appointed pursuant to the Government Resolution dated 25.07.2002. Each
Lecturer was appointed by a duly constituted Selection Committee and had the
requisite qualifications that were prescribed for regular appointment.
It was further submitted that since the Lecturers were working on
sanctioned posts and were discharging similar duty as was being discharged by
regularly appointed Lecturers through the MPSC, they were entitled to the relief of
regular salary alongwith other monetary benefits. The Tribunal declined to grant
that relief without assigning any justifiable reason. Since the Lecturers were
entitled to the relief of regularisation and permanency, there was no justification
whatsoever to refuse to grant them monetary relief. At the most such relief could
be restricted for a period of three years prior to filing of the Original Applications.
In that regard reference was made to the decision in Jai Dev Gupta Vs. State of
Himachal Pradesh and another [AIR 1998 SC 2819] and Union of India and others
Vs. Tarsem Singh [(2008) 8 SCC 648].
It was thus submitted on the basis of aforesaid contentions that since
the Lecturers herein had served for a period ranging from seven to ten years, the
Tribunal was justified in granting the relief of regularisation. Such relief ought
to be however granted by treating the said Lecturers as Assistant Professors with
all monetary benefits. It was thus submitted that while upholding the partial relief
granted by the Tribunal, the Lecturers were also entitled to the monetary relief as
prayed for.
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 28/50
12. We have heard the learned counsel for the parties at length and with
their assistance we have perused the documentary material placed on record. We
have also given our due consideration to the rival submissions. The facts on record
indicate that the contractual appointment of each Lecturer in service is pursuant to
the advertisements issued on 15.09.2003, 08.12.2005 and 13.12.2007. This
advertisement was in the light of the Government Resolution dated 25.07.2002
issued by the Higher and Technical Education Department of the State of
Maharashtra. It was stated therein that since 1998 there was a ban on recruitment
as a result of which various posts at the Government Higher and Technical
Institutions were lying vacant. This was affecting the education of the students in
the said Institutions. In the academic year 2002-03 about 6453 posts were vacant
and hence it was resolved to fill in two-third of those posts on contractual basis.
Under the said Government Resolution appointments were to be made for a fixed
period of two years or till a duly selected candidate from the MPSC was available.
Monthly honourarium of Rs.8,000/- was liable to be paid and each candidate was
required to execute a bond in that regard. Pursuant to the said advertisement, the
Lecturers herein participated in the said process and were issued appointment
orders on contractual basis for a period of eleven months. Such engagement of the
Lecturers continued from time to time and they were also granted the benefit of
leave pursuant to a Circular dated 08.02.2006. Thereafter honourarium paid to
the Lecturers was increased from Rs.8,000/- per month to Rs. 12,000/- per month
from 01.04.2009 and thereafter from Rs.12,000/- per month to Rs.24,000/- per
month from 05.05.2011.
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 29/50
The Lecturers then found that as similar appointments made in other
Departments of the State Government had been regularised, they made
representations to the State Government seeking regularisation of their
appointments. In response to the representations as made, the Lecturers were
informed that their services cannot be regularised and that further appointments
on contractual basis would be undertaken by the State Government. Being
aggrieved by the non-consideration of their request for regularisation, the
Lecturers approached the Tribunal seeking the relief of extension of the benefit of
regularisation of their services alongwith all consequential benefits.
13. The Tribunal in the impugned judgment has placed heavy reliance
on the judgment of the Division Bench in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others
(supra) and has found that the Lecturers were entitled to similar relief. In the light
of that adjudication in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others (supra), the Tribunal
directed the State Government to regularise the services of the Lecturers and
confer permanency on all of them. It however did not grant any monetary benefit
for the service rendered earlier and directed their entitlement to regular salary
from 01.10.2019. Since the impugned judgment is based on the decision in
Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others (supra) and the learned Senior Advocate for
the Lecturers has sought to support the judgment of the Tribunal by relying upon
the same, it would be necessary to first refer to the said decision. Therein the
lecturers from Government Polytechnic Colleges in the State were appointed
pursuant to the Government Resolution dated 25.07.2002 as modified on
02.08.2003 and 03.10.2003. The said lecturers were appointed pursuant to
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Notification dated 25.08.2003 by which applications from eligible candidates were
invited. The candidates were interviewed by the Selection Committee constituted
under the Government Resolution dated 02.08.2003. The candidates selected
were appointed on contractual basis on a fixed sum of honourarium. These
appointees sought the relief of regularisation. The Division Bench noted that
though the said lecturers were appointed on contractual basis in view of
Government Resolution dated 25.07.2002, their appointment was pursuant to
issuance of an advertisement and holding of an interview by a duly constituted
Selection Committee. Till the year 2010 the State Government continued with
making contractual appointments and during that period the MPSC did not
conduct any selection process. It was thus held that those lecturers who were
appointed on contractual basis had not entered services through the backdoor.
Their appointments having been made on regular and full time posts, it was not
permissible for the State Government to adopt the hire and fire policy. On that
premise this Court directed that the services of those lecturers to be regularised but
without any monetary benefits. It is undisputed that this judgment of the Division
Bench in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others (supra) was challenged before the
Hon'ble Supreme Court which dismissed the Special Leave Petition in limine on
06.01.2015.
14. The contentions as urged before the Division Bench in Sachin
Ambadas Dawale and others (supra) have been reiterated in the present
proceedings. It is emphasised that the Lecturers herein are similarly situated
inasmuch as they had been appointed on contractual basis pursuant to the
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Government Resolution dated 25.07.02002. The MPSC for a considerable period
of time of almost ten years from the issuance of advertisement dated 15.09.2003
had not undertaken any selection process. The Lecturers were appointed after
being duly selected by a Selection Committee as constituted, the service benefits in
the form of leave, etc. were made available and the amount of honourarium was
also increased with passage of time. It is thus urged that the Lecturers herein
being similarly situated and the decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others
(supra) having attained finality ought to be followed.
On behalf of the State Government it was strenuously urged that the
said decision was rendered in the peculiar facts of that case and the ratio thereof
could not be made applicable to the case in hand. Reference was made to the
order passed in Civil Application (W) No. 828 of 2017 in Writ Petition No.2046 of
2010 dated 27.04.2017. In that order Division Bench that decided Sachin
Ambadas Dawale and others (supra) observed that in the light of the fact that the
petitioners therein were appointed pursuant to Government Resolution dated
25.07.2002 after issuance an advertisement and being interviewed by a duly
constituted Selection Committee, the entry of those petitioners in service could not
be said to be a backdoor entry. It was stated that the relief was granted only to
those petitioners who were in service when they had approached the Court and the
said judgment would not be applicable to those persons who had left their job. It
was clarified that the decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others (supra) did
not lay the ratio that persons who were appointed on clearly contractual or
temporary basis without following the due selection process as laid down by the
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 32/50
Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Umadevi (supra) would also be entitled to
be regularised of their services.
15. We may notice some distinguishing factors that could be deduced
from the decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale (supra) and the facts of the present
case. After the Lecturers herein had participated in the selection process pursuant
to the advertisement wherein it was stated that the posts in question were to be
filled in on temporary basis by contractual mode, the Directorate of Arts,
Maharashtra State, issued an Office Order dated 31.10.2003 in which it was stated
that the appointments were being made for a period of eleven months on monthly
honourarium of Rs.8,000/- from 10.11.2003. The candidates were required to
sign a bond on stamp paper of Rs.20/-. It was also stated that if the post in
question was declared excess after such contractual appointment, the services
would automatically come to an end. It is an admitted fact that each Lecturer
executed the requisite bond incorporating terms and conditions that were
mentioned in the Circular dated 31.10.2003. In Anita and another (supra) Legal
Advisors, Law Officers and Law Instructors were appointed on contractual basis.
On an advertisement being issued seeking to make regular recruitment, the same
was challenged by such contractual appointees before the Tribunal. The Tribunal
did not grant the relief of regularisation as prayed for. The appointees approached
the High Court which held that since 471 posts were created by the State
Government which were permanent in nature, the appointments thereon were also
permanent. The relief of permanency/regularisation was not granted. Both the
parties then approached the Hon'ble Supreme Court. It was noticed that the
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 33/50
intention of the State Government to fill in the said posts on contractual basis was
clear from the government resolutions under which the appointments were made.
It also noticed that the appointees had signed an agreement acknowledging the
contractual nature of appointment. In that backdrop, it was observed by the
Hon'ble Supreme Court that the conditions of the engagement of the said
appointees was governed by the terms of the agreement. Having accepted such
contractual appointment, the appointees were estopped from challenging the
contractual nature of appointment. On that premise the judgment of the High
Court was set aside. The aforesaid decision thus indicates that a contractual
appointee having executed an agreement acknowledging the nature of
appointment, it was not permissible for him to contend otherwise and claim a
larger relief. It cannot be seen from the decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and
others (supra) that the petitioners therein had executed such bonds and had
acknowledged the nature of their contractual engagement. This relevant
distinguishing aspect would have to be kept in mind.
16. Another distinguishing feature to be noted is that in Sachin Ambadas
Dawale and others (supra) the petitioners were lecturers in different Departments
of Government Polytechnic Colleges. On 29.03.2008 the State Government had
informed the Directorate of Education (Higher Education) that teaching posts
which fall within the purview of the MPSC and which were to be filled in on the
basis of interviews had been taken out of the purview of the MPSC and that the
State Cabinet had granted approval to the same. It was on that premise that it was
argued that the State as a model employer could not discriminate between
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similarly situated employees. This crucial fact of the post in question having been
removed from the purview of the MPSC is absent in the present case. Recruitment
Rules in the present case have not been shown to have been amended so as to
dispense with the requirement of the process of selection being undertaken by the
MPSC. In fact, in the present case, issuance of advertisement by the MPSC during
the pendency of the proceedings before the Tribunal was subjected to challenge by
amending the Original Applications. Recruitment process initiated by the MPSC
was specifically challenged. This aspect cannot be ignored.
17. At this stage, it is necessary to refer to the decision in Mahesh
Madhukar Wagh and others (supra). There too Assistant Professors appointed in
the year 2012-13 on year to year basis had sought a declaration of being
permanent teachers. Reliance was placed on behalf of the said Assistant Professors
on the decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others (supra), Shri B.R.Gavai, J.
(as His Lordship then was) authoring the judgment for the Division Bench has
observed in paragraphs 15 and 16 as under:
"15. In the present case, advertisement clearly states that
the applications are invited for the posts which are purely
temporary posts and also specifying the period therein. They
also specify that, in the event, regularly selected candidates
are available through the mode of Section 76, the
appointments of the temporary candidates would be liable
to be terminated, so also there is a specific stipulation in the
appointment orders to that effect. We therefore find that if
the stand, as taken by the Petitioners, is accepted, then we
would be endorsing an argument which runs contrary to the
mandate of Articles 14 and 16. The advertisement clearly
states that the appointments would be only for a specific
period. Had it been made known to the candidates that the
appointments, that would be made for temporary period, in
normal course, would be continued in eternity, many
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otherwise eligible candidates who have not applied, could
have very well applied for the said posts. We are therefore of
the considered view that if the arguments, as are advanced
by the Petitioners, are to be accepted, we will have to hold
contrary to the principle of law laid down by the Hon'ble
Apex Court in the case of Umadevi (supra).
16. In ordinary course, we would not have given such an
elaborate reasoning. However, it has been noticed that
decision of Division Bench of this Court in the case of Sachin
Ambadas Dawale (supra), to which one of us (Gavai, J.) is a
party, is being widely misquoted. Since we got an
opportunity to explain as to in what circumstances the
Judgment in the case of Sachin Ambadas Dawale (supra)
was rendered, we thought it fit to give our elaborate reasons
explaining as to under what circumstances Sachin Ambadas
Dawale (supra) was rendered and why the present Petition
is liable to be dismissed.
18. The aforesaid decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others
(supra) was also sought to be relied upon by the petitioners in Rajesh A. Bharte
(supra). Distinguishing the aforesaid decision it was observed that the petitioners
therein were appointed on purely contractual basis for a limited tenure of one year
which tenure was renewed from time to time on contractual basis. Their services
were sought to be terminated to make way for a regularly selected candidate and
hence it was not the case of substitution of one contractual employee by another.
Again in Hareshbhai Mohanbhai Patel and others (supra) the
decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others (supra) was sought to be relied
upon. Therein, the prayer for grant of regularisation of service of post graduate
teachers and trained graduate teachers was denied by the Central Administrative
Tribunal on the premise that grant of relief of regularisation to the said petitioners
who were appointed on the basis of an advertisement which had clearly stated that
the appointments would be only on daily rated basis or that the appointees would
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 36/50
not claim for regularisation would render the specific condition advertised under
which the selection had taken place to be not applicable. While distinguishing the
aforesaid judgment, the Division Bench in paragraph 45 observed as under :
" 45. In fact, the Division Bench, which decided Sachin
Ambadas Dawale (supra) in Civil Application (W) No.828
of 2017 in Writ Petition No.2046 of 2010 (D) Anil Laxman
Telang and ors. vs. Principal Secretary, State of
Maharashtra, Department of Higher and Technical
Education, Mumbai and ors. has by its order dated 27 th
April, 2017, clarified its decision and made it clear that the
observations in Sachin Ambadas Dawale (supra), were in
the peculiar facts and circumstances in the said matter.
The relevant extracts of the order dated 27 th April, 2017
read as follows:
It could further be seen that, in the said case, we were
considering the case of the petitioners in the peculiar facts
and circumstances as appearing in the said case. We had
considered in the said case that the appointments of the
petitioners therein were made in pursuance to the
Government Resolution dt. 25-7-2002 which specifically
provided for the entire selection process including the
advertisement, conducting of interviews by the duly
selected Selection Committee consisting of :
1. Joint Director, Technical Education Divisional Office -
Chairman.
2. Lady representative - Member.
3. Principal of concerned Institute - Member Secretary.
4. Representative of backward classes (Engineering
Graduate) - Member.
5. Subject Experts (2) - Member.
In these peculiar facts and circumstances, we had
observed that the appointment of petitioners could not be
said to be a backdoor entry and as such, we had
distinguished the Judgment of the Apex Court in the case of
Secretary, State of Karnataka and ors. vs. Umadevi and
others, reported in AIR 2006 SC 1806(1). We had also
considered that the State Government itself in the category
of various other employees had regularised the services of
various employees. We had further observed that, for a long
period during which the petitioners were in employment, the
Maharashtra Public Service Commission had also not
conducted the interviews and as such, during the intervening
period when the petitioners were continued in the
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 37/50
employment, after having undergone due selection process,
they had attained upper age limit and as such when the State
itself had not conducted the selection process through MPSC
for more than 10 years, the petitioners who were selected
through due selection process could not be penalised. We
had observed that, on account of inaction on the part of the
State, selection process for a period of more than 10 years
was not held and hence, the petitioners, who had by efflux of
time, become age barred, cannot be penalised and thrown
out of their job. We had specifically observed that, insofar as
the case of Umadevi is concerned, the appointments therein
were made clandestinely and without advertisement and the
persons were appointed without following the due process of
law.
It could thus be seen that, in the peculiar facts and
circumstances of the case, the petitioners in the present
petition were selected in pursuance of the Government
Resolution dt. 25-7-2002 after following the due selection
process by the Selection Committee duly constituted under
the said Government Resolution and on account of inaction
on the part of the State Government in not holding the
selection process through the MPSC for a period of more
than 10 years, many of the petitioners had become age
barred and as such, they were deprived of opportunity of
undergoing selection process through MPSC, we had found
that a special case was made out for regularization of
services of the petitioners therein. We may specify that we
had restricted the claim of the petitioners who were already
in service when they had approached the Court. By no
stretch of imagination, the said Judgment could be
applicable to the persons who had already left the job and
taken chances.
We may also observe that, citing the said Judgment,
some of the employees who are appointed on temporary or
contractual basis and who are removed after putting in a
year's or two years service are also seeking regularisation.
We may clarify that the said Judgment would not lay the
ratio that, the persons who are appointed on purely
contractual or temporary basis without following the due
selection process as laid down by the Apex Court in the case
of Umadevi, would also be entitled to regularization of their
services."
19. In a recent decision in Lalita V. Mertia (supra), the Division Bench
considered the challenge to the judgment of the Central Administrative Tribunal by
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 38/50
which the relief of regularisation on a sanctioned vacant post of Examiner of
Trademark was granted. Therein the initial entry was on contractual basis on a
temporary post. The order passed by the Tribunal sought to be supported on the
premise that the appointee was not appointed on a post that was unsanctioned and
that the appointee had gone through the regular selection process. Reliance was
also placed on the decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others (supra). In
paragraph 27 of the decision in Lalita V. Mertia (supra), the Division Bench has
observed as under :
"27. . The second ground is this. Smt. Lalita contended with
success before the Tribunal that since the post on which she
came to be appointed was a sanctioned post and she had
faced a process of selection prior to her engagement on
contract, her entry in service can by no stretch of
imagination be called a back-door entry. Admittedly, she
was not required to face the selection process of the UPSC
since she was being considered for a contractual post and
engagement on such contractual posts was beyond the scope
of the RR of 2000. Smt. Lalita may not have sneaked in
through the back-door; in fact, we would go to this extent of
holding that she did enter service in the office of the
CGPDTM through the front- door, to the notice of all and
sundry, with such door being completely ajar but for a
contractual post (a plan-post) and not for appointment on
any of the non-plan posts. What was required for
appointment on a plan-post may have been complied with
but we cannot accept that the process in which Smt. Lalita
participated could be a real substitute for the process
conducted by the UPSC for filling up non-plan posts. Not
much can, thus, be gained by her with reference to the
selection process in which she participated because of the
simple reason that the post was different which necessitated
a different selection process. The Tribunal, in our opinion,
missed the trees for the woods."
The observations as made in Mahesh Madhukar Wagh and others
(supra) which have been referred to hereinabove were also noticed by the Division
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 39/50
Bench and it was observed that the decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others
(supra) was a decision which turned on its own facts. While setting aside the
order passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, liberty was granted to the
candidates to participate in the recruitment process that would be held in future
and it was observed that if the candidate satisfied the eligibility criteria, she could
be considered for recruitment by condoning her age bar.
20. The principle of stare decisis also requires consideration. The
decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others (supra) was required to be
clarified by the same Division Bench in its order dated 27.04.2017 passed in Civil
Application (W) No.828 of 2017 in Writ Petition No.2086 of 2010. This was after
noticing the fact that by relying upon that decision the relief of regularisation was
being sought by urging that the claimants though appointed temporarily and for
stipulated period had discharged services for a long period of time. Thereafter in
Mahesh Madhukar Wagh and others (supra) the circumstances in which the
judgment in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others (supra) was rendered and the
relief was granted was explained. In the decisions delivered after Sachin Ambadas
Dawale and others (supra), various Division Benches have found that the said
judgment was rendered in the peculiar facts of that case and the ratio thereof
could not be straightway made applicable in proceedings where the relief of
regularisation was sought on the premise that temporary and contractual
appointees had rendering services continued for a considerable period of time.
Reference in that regard can be made to the decisions in Rajesh A. Bharte,
Hareshbhai Mohanbhai Patel, Mahesh Madhukar Wagh and others and Lalita V.
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 40/50
Mertia (supra) to name a few. It may also be stated that after these writ petitions
were heard and closed for passing judgment, the learned Assistant Government
Pleader with due notice to the counsel for the Lecturers placed on record a recent
decision of the Aurangabad Bench in Writ Petition No.4546 of 2016 ( Ganesh D.
Jambhrunkar and others Vs. State of Maharashtra and others) with connected writ
petitions decided on 20.09.2022. Therein, Assistant Professors, Associate
Professors and Professors were appointed on contractual basis on consolidated
salary pursuant to advertisement issued in the year 2011. The Interviewing
Committees consisted of subject experts and the petitioners claimed that they were
duly selected. Contractual appointments were made for a period of eleven months
and at the end of each contract period, they were subjected to a fresh interview
and again selected. It was urged that since the petitioners fulfilled the requisite
qualifications and were appointed through proper selection and had worked for
substantially long period, they were entitled to regularisation of their services.
Reliance was placed on the decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others
(supra). The Division Bench in paragraph 28 of the said decision observed as
under:
28. Thus, this Court has specifically clarified that the
judgment in Sachin Ambadas Dawale (supra) does not lay
down a ratio that persons appointed on purely contractual
or temporary basis without following due selection process
as laid down by the Apex Court in the case of Umadevi
would also be entitled to regularization of their services. The
present petitions have been filed on 18.04.2016 before
issuance of the clarification by this Court on 27.04.2017.
Thus, in view of the specific clarification issued by this Court
by order dated 27.04.2017, the petitioners are not entitled
to the relief of regularization by relying on the judgment in
the case of Sachin Ambadas Dawale (supra).
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 41/50
It was further noted that the appointments of the said petitioners were not against
the sanctioned posts. The relief of regularisation was thus refused. The learned
Senior Advocate for the Lecturers sought to distinguish this decision by stating that
the petitioners therein had discharged duties only for a period ranging from three
to five years while the Lecturers herein had rendered services for more than ten
years.
As per principle of stare decisis the Court stands by the decisions and
usually does not disturb what is settled. "Where similar points arise frequently in
litigations, it is prudent to keep the scale of justice even and steady and not liable
to waiver with every new Judge's opinion" - Advanced Law Lexicon, 3rd Edition,
2005. Thus, when the very same Division Bench that rendered the decision in
Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others (supra) has clarified its decision and that
decision has been further explained in subsequent decisions with observations that
the same was rendered in the peculiar facts of the case, in our view that
consistency must be maintained and the ratio of the decision in Sachin Ambadas
Dawale and others (supra) as clarified and explained would have to be held
confined to the peculiar facts of that case. We are also in agreement with what has
been stated by the subsequent Division Bench of this Court in Lalita V. Mertia
(supra) that the exception made in the case of Umadevi (supra) was a onetime
exception and was applicable only to those employees who had completed ten
years service as on 10.04.2006.
21. In A. Umarani (supra) it has been held that regularisation is not and
cannot be the mode of recruitment by any 'State' within the meaning of Article 12
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 42/50
of the Constitution of India or any Body or Authority governed by the statutory Act
or the Rules framed thereunder. In B.N.Nagarajan and others (supra) it was held
that the words "regular" or "regularisation" do not connote permanence. This
position has been clarified by the Constitution Bench in Umadevi (3) and others
(supra). In paragraphs 47, 52 and 53 it has been observed as under:
"47. When a person enters a temporary employment or
gets engagement as a contractual or casual worker and the
engagement is not based on a proper selection as recognized
by the relevant rules or procedure, he is aware of the
consequences of the appointment being temporary, casual or
contractual in nature. Such a person cannot invoke the
theory of legitimate expectation for being confirmed in the
post when an appointment to the post could be made only by
following a proper procedure for selection and in concerned
cases, in consultation with the Public Service Commission.
Therefore, the theory of legitimate expectation cannot be
successfully advanced by temporary, contractual or casual
employees. It cannot also be held that the State has held out
any promise while engaging these persons either to continue
them where they are or to make them permanent. The State
cannot constitutionally make such a promise. It is also
obvious that the theory cannot be invoked to seek a positive
relief of being made permanent in the post."
"52. Normally, what is sought for by such temporary
employees when they approach the court, is the issue of a
writ of mandamus directing the employer, the State or its
instrumentalities, to absorb them in permanent service or to
allow them to continue. In this context, the question arises
whether a mandamus could be issued in favour of such
persons. At this juncture, it will be proper to refer to the
decision of the Constitution Bench of this Court in Dr. Rai
Shivendra Bahadur (Dr.) v. Governing Body of the Nalanda
College [(1962) Supp. 2 SCR 144]. That case arose out of a
refusal to promote the writ petitioner therein as the
Principal of a college. This Court held that in order that a
mandamus may issue to compel the authorities to do
something, it must be shown that the statute imposes a legal
duty on the authority and the aggrieved party had a legal
right under the statute or rule to enforce it. This classical
position continues and a mandamus could not be issued in
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 43/50
favour of the employees directing the government to make
them permanent since the employees cannot show that they
have an enforceable legal right to be permanently absorbed
or that the State has a legal duty to make them permanent."
"53. One aspect needs to be clarified. There may be cases
where irregular appointments (not illegal appointments) as
explained in S.V. Narayanappa (supra), R.N. Nanjundappa
(supra), and B.N. Nagarajan (supra), and referred to in
paragraph 15 above, of duly qualified persons in duly
sanctioned vacant posts might have been made and the
employees have continued to work for ten years or more but
without the intervention of orders of courts or of tribunals.
The question of regularization of the services of such
employees may have to be considered on merits in the light
of the principles settled by this Court in the cases above
referred to and in the light of this judgment. In that context,
the Union of India, the State Governments and their
instrumentalities should take steps to regularize as a one-
time measure, the services of such irregularly appointed,
who have worked for ten years or more in duly sanctioned
posts but not under cover of orders of courts or of tribunals
and should further ensure that regular recruitments are
undertaken to fill those vacant sanctioned posts that require
to be filled up, in cases where temporary employees or daily
wagers are being now employed. The process must be set in
motion within six months from this date. We also clarify that
regularization, if any already made, but not subjudice, need
not be reopened based on this judgment, but there should
be no further bypassing of the constitutional requirement
and regularising or making permanent, those not duly
appointed as per the constitutional scheme."
It has been held in clear terms that the onetime measure to regularise
the services of irregularly appointed employees who had worked for ten years or
more ought to be considered for regularisation by taking necessary steps and
completed the process within a period of six months from the date of the judgment
which was 10.04.2006.
The Constitution Bench further observed that a person accepting the
engagement which is either temporary or casual in nature does so with open eyes
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 44/50
and it is not that he is not aware of the nature of his employment. Though it was
true that he would not be in a position to bargain since he would have been
searching for some employment and had accepted whatever he got, on that ground
it would not be permissible to take a view that the person who has been
temporarily or casually appointed should be directed to be continued permanently
in service. This would result in creation of another mode of public appointment
which was not permissible. The learned Senior Advocate for the Lecturers relied
upon the decisions in Central Inland Water Transport Corporation Ltd., Delhi
Transport Corporation and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation &
another and Jagjit Singh and others (supra), but we find that in the present case
the observations in paragraph 45 to 47 of the decision in Umadevi (3) and others
(supra) would be required to be followed.
22. It was also urged on behalf of the Lecturers that insofar as the
requisite qualifications were concerned, they had the same as required by the
AICTE. Similarly, the service conditions of such Lecturers were governed by the
University Grants Commission Regulations. The Lecturers on that premise were
entitled to seek regularisation of their services. Similarly, it was urged that they
were entitled for pay-scales that were admissible to the Lecturers duly selected
through the MPSC. We however find that these factors would not entitle the
Lecturers to overcome the fact that their appointments were made on contractual
basis after executing bonds with such clear understanding. As observed in Anita
and another (supra) when an appointment is made on contractual basis, the
conditions of such engagement would be governed by the terms of the agreement.
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 45/50
It is pertinent to note that the Lecturers have not challenged the terms on which
they were appointed including the advertisements and the fact that they were
required to execute bonds in that regard. Having accepted such appointments, the
Lecturers cannot be permitted to disregard the terms and conditions mentioned
therein.
It is true that for a considerable period of time the posts of Lecturers
were not filled in through the MPSC. The State as a model employer, it was urged,
could not act contrary to the Government Resolution dated 25.08.2005 by which
all departments under the State Government were directed to take immediate steps
to fill in vacancies by making regular appointments and not making the
appointments on temporary or ad hoc basis. It is also true that after issuance of
the aforesaid Government Resolution the State has engaged Lecturers on
contractual basis. This act by itself however would not come to the aid of the
Lecturers herein in support of their prayer for grant of regularisation. As observed
in Lalita V. Mertia (supra) granting relief of regularisation in such facts would
amount to a fraud on public inasmuch as steps contrary to the
advertisement/representation made to the public by inviting applications for
appointment on contractual basis would be given go-by. In paragraph 28 It has
been observed as under :
"28. There is a third ground for interference; and, that is
referable to Mr. Marne's contention that Smt. Lalita was
appointed on a sanctioned post albeit on contract. The
advertisement to which Smt. Lalita responded was a clear
representation to the public that applications were being
invited from eligible candidates to fill up contractual posts.
No promise was held out that those selected and appointed
on contract would ultimately be considered for substantive
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 46/50
appointment by dint of their performance or tenure in the
office of the CGPDTM. There could be candidates having
equal or better qualifications than Smt. Lalita but who may
have decided against offering their candidature noticing that
the Controller proposed to make appointments on contract
only for a short period and that there was no rule which
permitted contractual appointees to be granted permanence
in service. If indeed, Smt. Lalita's service is to be regularized
on the grounds urged by her, which were neither part of the
recruitment rules nor the advertisement, the aggrieved
would be all those who had equal or even better
qualifications than Smt. Lalita but might not have applied
for the post because, firstly, they were not interested in any
short time appointment on contract, which has no security
of service, and secondly, there was no promise held out that
the contractual appointees could subsequently stake a claim
for regularization based on continuous contractual service. If
regularization as claimed by Smt. Lalita is allowed, that
would amount to a fraud on public, running counter to the
advertisement itself being a representation to the public
inviting applications for appointment on contract and no
Court, far less this Court, should be a party to it".
In that view of the matter this contention raised on behalf of the Lecturers cannot
be accepted.
23. The Tribunal in the impugned judgment has proceeded to apply the
ratio of the decision in Sachin Ambadas Dawale and others (supra) without
noticing various distinguishing features that have been referred to hereinabove.
The decisions to which we have referred distinguish the view as taken in Sachin
Ambadas Dawale and others (supra) but these decisions have not been considered
by the Tribunal. The Tribunal proceeded merely on the basis that the appointments
were made in view of Government Resolution dated 25.07.2002 coupled with the
fact that the contractual appointees continued for a period of about ten years. As
held by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and this Court, these aspects would not be
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 47/50
sufficient to grant the relief of regularisation.
24. Yet another development having considerable material bearing on
the proceedings in hand is that on 08.07.2020 the Higher and Technical Education
Department of the State of Maharashtra has issued a Government Resolution by
which about 135 posts of Lecturers in Institutions under the control of Directorate
of Arts namely; Sir J.J.Arts College, Mumbai, Government Arts and Design College,
Nagpur and Government Arts and Design College, Aurangabad have been
abolished. It has been stated that on the said 135 posts there were 27 regularly
appointed Lecturers, on 26 posts contractual Lecturers were working while on 11
posts temporary and periodical Lecturers were working. The contractual as well as
temporary lecturers were working in view of Court orders. As and when the said
posts would become vacant, the same were to be filled in as per the eligibility and
norms prescribed by the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE). In the
affidavit filed by the Dean, Government Arts and Design College, Nagpur dated
02.08.2022 it has been stated that the Lecturers herein had been continued only
account of the protection extended to them by the Tribunal and that no sanctioned
posts were available on which the said contractual Lecturers were discharging
duties. In paragraphs 1 and 2 of the said affidavit it has been stated as under :
"1............ I say that as per the decision taken vide
aforesaid Government Resolution dated 08.07.2020 all the
135 posts in the teaching cadre under the Directorate of Art
have been abolished. However, incumbents who were duly
selected as per Recruitment Rules of 1980, 1982 and 1983
will be continued till their attaining the age of
superannuation. I say and submit that since as per the
Government Resolution dated 08.07.2020 the erstwhile
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 48/50
cadre of teaching came to be abolished hence the post held
only by duly selected incumbents as per Recruitment Rules
of 1980, 1982 and 1983 will survive, and rest of the post
out of 135 has already been abolished vide the Government
Resolution mentioned herein.
2. I say and submit that, the petitioners vide the same
Government Resolution dated 08.07.2020 has created 159
new posts in teaching cadre. These 159 posts will be filled
in as per Recruitment Rules which are drafted in
consonance with the AICTE norms have been submitted to
the Maharashtra Public Service Commission for approval.
After getting approval of Maharashtra Public Service
Commission, the said Recruitment Rules will be submitted
for the approval of the Government and the Hon'ble
Governor. Thereafter the Recruitment Rules will be
published in the form of notification. After publication of
notification of Recruitment Rules as above, requisition letter
will be sent to Maharashtra Public Service Commission for
filling up 159 newly created teaching posts."
There is no challenge raised to this Government Resolution dated 08.07.2020 in
the present proceedings.
25. Another decision on which the Tribunal has relied in the impugned
judgment is Arjun Singh and others (supra). The facts therein indicate that the
appointments were made pursuant to the names of the appointees being
recommended by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission. It was found
that the names of the appointees were then forwarded to the Chief Medical Officer
for constituting a Medical Board to conduct a medical examination. Though the
appointments were made on contractual basis, it was held that the said appointees
were entitled for regular appointment. It is clear from the facts of the aforesaid
decision that the Public Service Commission was involved in the selection process.
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 49/50
That aspect is missing in the present case which the Tribunal failed to notice.
26. Hence for aforesaid reasons we find that the Tribunal was not
justified in law in granting the relief of regularisation to the Lecturers. There are
various distinguishing factors in the present case which would not make it
permissible for this Court to adopt the course that was followed in Sachin
Ambadas Dawale and others (supra). It is true that the Lecturers have rendered
services for a period of about ten years but their engagement being on contractual
basis and governed by the bonds executed by them, such contractual appointments
cannot be permitted to be regularised. Moreover, in the light of the subsequent
Government Resolution dated 08.07.2020 no relief can be granted to the Lecturers
on posts that have now been abolished. The Lecturers with the passage of time are
likely to have crossed the age limit that would preclude them from participating in
any fresh recruitment process. Hence in this regard, we would adopt the course
followed by the Division Bench in Lalita V. Mertia (supra) by granting liberty to the
Lecturers to participate in any future process of recruitment on the post of Lecturer
on substantive basis by directing that if the eligibility criteria is satisfied, they could
be considered for recruitment by condoning the bar of age, if any.
27. Thus as a result, the judgment of the Maharashtra Administrative
Tribunal dated 04.09.2019 in Original Application (OA) No. 165/2015 with
connected Original Applications is set aside. Writ Petition Nos. 1609/2020,
1592/2020, 2371/2020, 2372/2020, 2373/2020 and 2374/2020 filed by the State
are allowed and Writ Petition Nos. 2411/2021, 2412/2021, 2413/2021,
WP-1609-20(J) c OTHER WPS. 50/50
2414/2021 and 2415/2021 filed by the Lecturers stand dismissed. Rule
accordingly. The parties shall bear their own costs.
This judgment shall come into effect after expiry of period of eight
weeks from today.
(URMILA JOSHI-PHALKE, J.) (A.S.CHANDURKAR, J.)
Andurkar..
Digitally Signed byJAYANT S
ANDURKAR
Personal Assistant
Signing Date:
13.10.2022 18:05
