Ragani Devi v. The State Of Bihar And ORS

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.21073 of 2013 ====================================================== Ragani Devi Wife Of Munindra Kumar Thakur, Anganwari Sevika, Centre No.04, Madhya Brahma Asthan Resident Of Village - Singhawara South , P.S. Singhawara, District - Darbhanga ... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

1.

The State Of Bihar through the Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Government of Bihar, Patna 2.

The Director, Integrated Child Development Scheme I.C.D.S. , Department Of Social Welfare, Patna 3.

The Deputy Director, Integrated Child Development Scheme I.C.D.S. , Department Of Social Welfare, 4.

The Collector, Darbhanga 5.

The District Programme Officer, Darbhanga 6.

The Child Development Programme Officer, Singhawara, District - Darbhanga ... ... Respondent/s ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr. Krishna Kumar, Advocate For the Respondent/s :

Mr. Sajid Salim Khan, SC-25 Mr. Arif Daula Siddique, AC to SC-25 ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV PRAKASH SHARMA ORAL JUDGMENT Date : 02-02-2023 In this writ petition grievance raised is relating to appointment of Anganwari Worker.

2. In CWJC No. 21963 of 2014 decided on 12.12.2022 (Reena Kumari Vs. State of Bihar & Ors.,) this Court has held that the post of Anganwari Worker does not fall within the purview of State or Subordinate Services. The post of Anganwari Worker is under a scheme introduced by Govt. of

Patna High Court CWJC No.21073 of 2013 dt.02-02-2023 2/3 India and respective State Govts. and regulated by guidelines which are non-statutory and therefore not enforceable in law. The appointment is on honorarium basis and no statutory procedure has been laid down.

3. Of course, under the guidelines, grievance against appointment of Anganwari Worker can be raised before the Collector of concerned District with a further revision to the Commissioner.

4. Even the orders passed by the Collector or the Commissioner would not be a subject matter of judicial review as the power being exercised by them relating to a dispute of Anganwari Worker is under guidelines and they do not act as a statutory authority while deciding such dispute. In view thereof, the writ petition would not be maintainable even against the orders of the Collector or the Commissioner.

5. Leaving it open to the respective writ petition to avail any of the aforesaid remedies, if they have not so availed, the writ petition is held to be not maintainable.

6. Accordingly, this writ petition is dismissed with the aforesaid liberty.

7. If an appeal/revision is filed, the same shall be decided expeditiously within a period of six months and the

Patna High Court CWJC No.21073 of 2013 dt.02-02-2023 3/3 question of limitation will not arise.

(Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, J) Brajesh Kumar/- Item no.43 AFR/NAFR NAFR CAV DATE Uploading Date 03.02.2023 Transmission Date