Namita Mishra v. State Of Odisha

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

W.P.(C) No.9031 of 2022 Namita Mishra ....

Petitioner Ms. Deepali Mahapatra, Advocate -versusState of Odisha and others ....

Opposite Parties Mr. K.K. Nayak, A.S.C.

CORAM:

JUSTICE A.K. MOHAPATRA Order No.

ORDER

18.04.2022 01.

1.

This matter is taken up through Hybrid Arrangement (Virtual /Physical Mode).

2.

Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner as well as learned counsel for the State. Perused the record.

3.

The present writ petition has been filed by the petitioner with the following prayers:

"Under the facts and circumstances as narrated above, this Hon'ble Court may graciously be pleased to admit this writ petition, issue Rule Nisi to the opposite parties and if the opposite parties will fail to show cause or shown insufficient cause made the said rule absolute by directing the opposite parties to regularize the service of the petitioner from the date of her initial joining and further direct the opposite parties to release the consequential salary and other benefits of the petitioner forthwith and further be pleased to pass any other order/orders as may be deemed fit and proper."

// 2 // 4.

It is submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner that the husband of the petitioner was working as H.R. Khalasi under the R.W.S.S., Sub-division, Delanga under R.W.S.S., Division, Puri on regular vacancy on contractual basis since 16.02.1995. However, despite several approaches by the petitioner her grievance has not been considered her grievance. He further submits that the petitioner be directed to file a representation before the authority and the authorities may be directed to consider the representation of the petitioner within a stipulated period of time. 5.

Learned counsel for the State submits that if the petitioner approaches by filing a representation before the authorities, he has no objection if a direction is given to the authorities to consider the grievance of the petitioner in accordance with law within a stipulated period of time.

6.

Learned counsel for the petitioner states that the petitioner has been continuing as NMR basis under the opposite parties, but till date he has not been regularized, although more than 26 years have passed in the meantime. He has referred to the case of State of Karnataka v. Umadevi, 2006(4) SCC 1, wherein in paragraph 53, the apex Court has held that 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. Similar view has also been taken by the apex Court in State of Karnataka and others v. M.L.Keshari and others, 2010(II) OLR (SC) 982, wherein in paragraph 7 the apex Court has held as follows : "7. It is evident from the above that there is an exception to the general principles against 'regularization' enunciated in Umadevi if the following conditions are fulfilled: (i) The employee concerned should have worked for 10 years or

// 3 // more in duly sanctioned post without the benefit or protection of the interim order of any court or tribunal. In other words, the State Government or its instrumentality should have employed the employee and continued him in service voluntarily and continuously for more than ten years. (ii) The appointment of such employee should not be illegal even if irregular. Where the appointments are not made or continued against sanctioned posts or where the persons appointed do not possesses the prescribed minimum qualifications, the appointments will be considered to be illegal. But where the person employed possessed the prescribed qualifications and was working against sanctioned posts, but had been selected without undergoing the process of open competitive selection, such appointments are considered to be irregular." 7.

In that view of the matter, since the petitioner is continuing as NMR basis and completed 26 years of service in the meantime, as contended by him, and even though his appointment is irregular, this writ petition is disposed of directing the opposite parties to examine the same and take a decision on the regularization of the petitioner keeping in view of the judgment of the Apex Court in Umadevi and M.L.Keshari (supra), as well as Amarkanti Rai v. State of Bihar and others, (2015) 8 SCC 265, within a period of three months from the date of passing of this order.

8.

With the aforesaid observation/direction, the writ petition stands disposed of.

Urgent certified copy of this order be granted on proper application.

( A.K. Mohapatra ) Judge Jagabandhu