सदर शासि पनरपत्रक महाराष्ट्र शासिाच्या www.maharashtra.gov.in या संके तस्थळार्वर उपलब्ध करण्यात आले असूि त्याचा संके ताक 2018021212271Ç8507 असा आहे. हे पनरपत्रक नडजीटल स्र्वाक्षरीिे साक्षानं कत करुि का ण्यात येत आहे.
मा.सर्वोच्च न्यायालयाच्या निर्णयाच्या अिुषंगािे
करार /कं त्राटी पध्दतीिे निमार् के लल्या
पदार्वरील िेमर्कीच्या अटी- शतींबाबत तसेच
सदर पदार्वर नियुक्त कमणचाऱयाच्या सेर्वा नियनमत ि करर्ेबाबत
महाराष्ट्र शासि
सामान्य प्रशासि नर्वभाग
शासि पनरपत्रक क्रमांकः एसआरव्ही 2017/प्र.क्र.455/काया.12
मादाम कामा मागण, हुतात्मा राजगुरू चौक,
मंत्रालय, मंबई - 400 032
तारीख : 09 फे ब्रर्वारी, 2018
र्वाचा :-
सामान्य प्रशासि नर्वभाग, शासि पनरपत्रक क्रमाक नद.25 ऑगस्ट,2005.
शासि पनरपत्रक :-
: एसआरव्ही-2005/प्र.क्र.47/05/12,
संदभांधीि शासि पनरपत्रकाद्वारे मा.सर्वोच्च न्यायालयािे नियनमत पदार्वरील
तात्पुरत्या/अस्थायी नियुक्त्या नियनमत ि करण्याबाबत र्वळ
ोर्वळ
ी नदलेल्या न्यायनिर्याच्या अिुषंगािे,
सर्वण पदांर्वरील नियुक्त्या नर्वनहत मागािे/माध्यमामाफण त करण्याची दक्षता घण्याबे ाबत, तसेच अत्यंत
तातडीची गरज म्हर्ि तात्पुरत्या / अस्थायी नियुक्त्या कराव्या लागल्या तर त्या संपुष्ट्टात आर्ण्याची
दक्षता घेण्याबाबत, तसेच अशा कमणचाऱयािी त्यािा, नियनमत सेर्वत सामार्वूि घण्याचे ी मागर्ी के ल्यास
ती मान्य करता येर्ार िसल्याचे, त्यािा स्पष्ट्टपर्े सूनचत करण्याबाबतच्या सूचिा देण्यात आलेल्या आहेत.
त्यािंतर xxxxxxx कं त्राटी तत्र्वार्वर पद नियुक्तीसाठी निमार् के लेल्या पदार्वरील कं त्राटी पध्दतीिे नियुक्त कमणचाऱयाच्या सेर्वा नियनमत करण्याच्या अिुषंगािे, मा.सर्वोच्च न्यायालयािे नसव्व्हल
अनपल क्रमाक Ç132-33/201Ç या प्रकरर्ात नदिांक 12 जलैु , 201Ç रोजी नदलेल्या न्यायनिर्णयािसु ार
कं त्राटी पद्धतीिे निमार् के लेली पदे कायम स्र्वरूपी समजण्यात येर्वू िये, अशा स्र्वरुपाचे आदेश नदले आहेत. मा.सर्वोच्च न्यायालयाच्या सदर निर्णयाची प्रत आर्वश्यक कायणर्वाहीसाठी र्व मानहतीस्तर्व या सोबत जोडण्यात आली आहे. सबब, मा.सर्वोच्च न्यायालयाच्या निर्णयाच्या अिुषंगािे, कं त्राटी पध्दतीिे नियुक्तीसाठी निमार् के लेल्या पदार्वरील नियुक्त्या नियनमत ि करण्याबाबतची दक्षता घेण्यात यार्वी.
मा.सर्वोच्च न्यायालयाच्या सदर निर्णयाचे अर्वलोकि के ले असता, त्यामधील पनरच्छेद क्रमाकं
13 र्व 15 अन्र्वये मा.न्यायालयािे गृह नर्वभागाच्या नदिाक
21 ऑगस्ट, 200Ç र्व नदिाक
15/09/200Ç
च्या शासि निर्णयाद्वारे नर्वधी सल्लागार/अनधकारी र्व नर्वधी निदेशक या पदिामाची 471 पदे कं त्राटी तत्र्वार्वर भरण्याबाबतच्या शासि निर्णयातील अटी /शती नर्वचारात घेऊि त्या आधारे सदर कं त्राटी पध्दतीर्वर निमार् के लेली पदे नियनमत समजण्यात येऊ िये असा निर्णय नदला आहे.
शासि पनरपत्रक क्रमांकः एसआरव्ही 2017/प्र.क्र.455/काया.12
सबब, सर्वण प्रशासकीय नर्वभागािी ककर्वा त्याच्या अनधपत्याखालील क्षत्रीय कायालयािे यापु े कं त्राटी पध्दतीिे निमार् करण्यात आलेल्या पदार्वर नियुक्ती करतािा निगणनमत करार्वयाच्या आदेशामध्ये
खाली िमूद के ल्याप्रमार्े अटी / शती अंतभतण करण्याची दक्षता घ्यार्वी.
1) कं त्राटी पध्दतीिे पद निर्ममती करतािा निगणनमत करार्वयाच्या शासि निर्णयात अंतभतणू करार्वयाच्या अटी / शती सोबतच्या नर्वर्वरर्पत्र- अ येथे िमूद करण्यात आल्या आहेत.
2) कं त्राटी पध्दतीिे नियुक्त के लेल्या कमणचाऱयासोबत करार्वयाच्या करारिाम्यामध्ये अंतभतणू करार्वयाच्या अटी / शती सोबतच्या नर्वर्वरर्पत्र- ब येथे िमूद करण्यात आल्या आहेत.
सदर शासि पनरपत्रक महाराष्ट्र शासिाच्या xxx.xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx या संके तस्थळार्वर उपलब्ध करण्यात आले असूि त्याचा संके ताक 2018021212271Ç8507 असा आहे. हे पनरपत्रक नडजीटल स्र्वाक्षरीिे साक्षानं कत करुि का ण्यात येत आहे.
महाराष्ट्राचे राज्यपाल याच्या आदेशािुसार र्व िार्वािे.
Xxxxx Xxxxx
Digitally signed by Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx DN: c=IN, o=Government of Maharashtra, ou=General Administration Department, postalCode=400032, st=Maharashtra,
2.5.4.20=87e2e317e0d978442ac6b599d6a0abcf73
Kulkarni
fe717ee52994443a8509075101cc93,
serialNumber=92d474843b842720200d1a10946d 5fc9348b9450f867605a47d177207c9bd384,
cn=Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Date: 2018.02.12 12:35:38 +05'30'
प्रत,
1) राज्यपालाच
े सनचर्व, राजभर्वि, मलबार नहल, मंबई
( xxxx xx. xx xxxxx )
उप सनचर्व (सेर्वा), महाराष्ट्र शासि
2) मुख्यमंत्री याचे अपर मुख्य सनचर्व,
3) सर्वण मंत्री/राज्यमंत्री याचं
4) मा.मुख्य सनचर्व,
5) सर्वण मंत्रालयीि नर्वभागाचं Ç) सर्वण मंत्रालयीि नर्वभाग,
े खाजगी सनचर्व,
े सर्वण अपर मुख्य सनचर्व/प्रधाि सनचर्व/सनचर्व,
7) *प्रबंधक,मूळ शाखा, उच्च न्यायालय,मंबई,
8) *प्रबंधक, अपील शाखा, उच्च न्यायालय,मंबई,
9) *प्रबंधक,लोक आयुक्त र्व उप लोक आयुक्त याचे कायालय,मबं ई
10)*सनचर्व, महाराष्ट्र लोकसेर्वा आयोग,मंबई,
11)*प्रधाि सनचर्व, महाराष्ट्र नर्वधािमंडळ सनचर्वालय (नर्वधािसभा),मंबई,
12)*सनचर्व,महाराष्ट्र नर्वधािमंडळ सनचर्वालय (नर्वधािपनरषद), मंबई,
13)*सनचर्व, राज्य निर्वडर्क आयोग, िर्वीि प्रशासकीय भर्वि,मबं ई,
14)*महालेखापाल,महाराष्ट्र-1 (लेखा र्व अिुज्ञयता), महाराष्ट्र, मंबई,
15)*महालेखापाल,महाराष्ट्टण-1 (लेखा र्व पनरक्षा), महाराष्ट्र,मंबई,
1Ç)*महालेखापाल,महाराष्ट्र-2 (लेखा र्व अिुज्ञयता),महाराष्ट्र,िागपूर
17)*महालेखापाल, महाराष्ट्र-2 (लेखा र्व परीक्षा), महाराष्ट्र, िागपूर,
पृष्ट्ठ 7 पैकी 2
शासि पनरपत्रक क्रमांकः एसआरव्ही 2017/प्र.क्र.455/काया.12
18) अनधदाि र्व लेखा अनधकारी, मंबई
19) निर्वासी लेखा पनरक्षा अनधकारी, मंबई,
20) मुख्य लेखा परीक्षक (निर्वासी लेखे) कोकर् भर्वि, िर्वी मंबई,
21) सर्वण नर्वभागीय आयुक्त,
22) सर्वण नजल्हानधकारी,
23) सर्वण नजल्हा पनरषदाचे मुख्य कायणकारी अनधकारी,
24) सर्वण नजल्हा कोषागार अनधकारी,
25) निरनिराळया मंत्रालयीि नर्वभागाच्या नियंत्रर्ाखालील सर्वण नर्वभाग प्रमुख र्व कायालय प्रमुख, 2Ç) सामान्य प्रशासि नर्वभागातील सर्वण कायासिे,
27) निर्वडिस्ती,
*पत्रािे.
पृष्ट्ठ 7 पैकी 3
शासि पनरपत्रक क्रमांकः एसआरव्ही 2017/प्र.क्र.455/काया.12
शासि पनरपत्रक, क्र :- एसआरव्ही 2017/प्र.क्र.455/काया.12, नदिाक
सोबतचे नर्वर्वरर्पत्र- अ
09 फे ब्रर्वारी, 2018
कं त्राटी पध्दतीिे पद निर्ममती करतािा निगणनमत करार्वयाच्या शासि निर्णयात
अतभतण करार्वयाच्या अटी / शती
1) कं त्राटी तत्र्वार्वर भरतीसाठी िनर्वि पदे निमार् करण्यास शासि मान्यता देण्यात येत आहे.
2) सदर पदे नियनमत र्वतिश्रेर्ीत ि भरता रु.-------- इतक्या एकनत्रत र्वतिार्वर कं त्राटी पध्दतीिे खालील अटींच्या अधीि राहूि भरण्यास शासि मान्यता देण्यात येत आहे.
• सदर पदाच
ी िेमर्क
ही पर्
णत: कं त्राटी पध्दतीिे असेल.
• या पदार्वरील अनधकारी/कमणचारी यािा शासकीय कमणचारी म्हर्ि
िाही.
गर्ले जार्ार
• कं त्राटी पध्दतीिे नियुक्ती करार्वयाच्या पदाची शक्षनर्कै अहताण , अिभर्वु तसेच कतव्यण
र्व जबाबदाऱया याबाबतचा तपनशल सोबतच्या ............... या पनरनशष्ट्टामध्ये देण्यात आला आहे. (संबंनधत प्रशासकीय नर्वभागािे त्याच्या अनधपत्याखालील कायालयासाठी निमार् के लेल्या कं त्राटी पदासाठी आर्वश्यक असर्ारी शैक्षनर्क अहणता, अिुभर्व तसेच कतणव्य र्व जबाबदाऱया याबाबतचा तपनशल िमूद करर्ारे पनरनशष्ट्ट जोडर्े आर्वश्यक रानहल.)
• कं त्राटी पध्दतीिे भरार्वयाच्या पदांसाठी निर्वडमंडळ गनठत करण्यात येऊि सदर निर्वड
मंडळामाफण त शासिाच्या प्रचनलत धोरर्ािुसार उमेदर्वाराच आर्वश्यक कायणर्वाही करण्यात येईल.
ी निर्वड करण्यासाठी
• सदर िेमर्का या करार पध्दतीिे प्रथमत: 11 मनहन्यासाठी करण्यात याव्यात. 11
मनहन्याि
ंतर आर्वश्यक असल्यास करारिाम्याची मुदत र्वळ
ोर्वळ
ी र्वा नर्वता येईल.
तथानप, अशी मुदत र्वा नर्वतािा एका र्वळी ही मुदत 11 मनहन्यांपेक्षा अनधक असर्ार
िाही याची काळजी नियुक्ती प्रानधकारी यािी घ्यार्वी. अशा प्रकारे जास्तीत जास्त 3 र्वळा
नियुक्ती करता येईल. त्यािंतर अशा उमेदर्वाराची पिश्च नियुक्त करर्े आर्वश्यक आहे असे सक्षम प्रानधकाऱयाचे मत असल्यास त्या उमेदर्वारास पुिश्च निर्वड प्रनक्रयेस सामोरे जार्वे लागेल.
• संबंनधत नियुक्ती प्रानधकारी शासिाच्या र्वतीिे नियुक्तीच्या र्वळ
ी संबंनधताब
रोबर नर्वनहत
प्रपत्रात करार करतील. (नर्वनहत प्रपत्र नर्वर्वरर्पत्र-ब येथे िमूद करण्यात आले आहे.) कराराची सर्वण कागदपत्रे जति करूि ठेर्वर्े ही त्या संबंनधत कायालयाची जबाबदारी असेल.
पृष्ट्ठ 7 पैकी 4
शासि पनरपत्रक क्रमांकः एसआरव्ही 2017/प्र.क्र.455/काया.12
शासि पनरपत्रक, क्र :- एसआरव्ही 2017/प्र.क्र.455/काया.12, नदिाक
सोबतचे नर्वर्वरर्पत्र- ब
09 फे ब्रर्वारी, 2018
कं त्राटी पध्दतीिे नियुक्त के लल्या कमचण ाऱयासोबत करार्वयाच्या करारिाम्यामध्ये
अतभतण करार्वयाच्या अटी / शती
This agreement is made at on between the Governor of State Of Maharashtra exercising the Executive Powers of the Government of State of Maharashtra through Shri. COMPITENT AUTHORITY, having his office at , hereinafter referred to as “the Government” (which expression shall unless it be repugnant to the context or meaning thereof be deemed to include its successors, agents and permitted assignee) of the First Party. AND Shri / Smt. age residing at hereinafter referred to as the Second Party.
WHEREAS the Government has decided to recruit the post of on contract basis. Accordingly, the Government in Department has issued Government
Resolution No. dtd.
AND WHEREAS the Government had published advertisement in Daily New paper on regarding recruitment for the post of
AND WHEREAS in pursuance to the above advertisement, the candidates who applied for the post of possessing minimum qualification prescribed for the post of by the competent authority and were called for interview for the said post of
AND WHEREAS after holding interview of Candidates called for interview for the post of . Shri / Smt. is selected by the selection board constituted by the Government.
AND WHEREAS the Government vide its letter No. dtd. has communicated to Shri / Smt. regarding his / her selection as a
for a period of 11 months on the consolidated salary of Rs. (Rupees only) and on the terms and conditions as stated herein below.
AND WHEREAS Xxxx / Xxx. has vide his / her letter dated accepted the offer regarding appointment as a by the Competent Authority on contract basis, on the terms and condition prescribed in this agreement.
AND WHEREAS Shri / Smt. has therefore to execute an Agreement.
पृष्ट्ठ 7 पैकी 5
शासि पनरपत्रक क्रमांकः एसआरव्ही 3○Я§/प्र.क्र.ð55/काया.Я3
NOW THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSTH AND IT IS HEREBY AGREED AND DECLEARED BY AND BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO AS FOLLOWS:-
1. The First Party hereby agrees to appoint Shri / Smt. (Party No. II) as a on contract basis for a period of 11 months
commencing from
to
(mention date) on consolidated
remuneration of Rs. (Rupees only) per month, and said remuneration will be payable at the end of each calendar month, according to British Calendar.
2. The Competent Authority will have full administrative control over the II nd Party and II nd party is bound to perform duties, as per their general and special instructions. Failure to do so shall be treated as breach and will be liable for termination of this contract.
3. List of Duties for the post of is annexed to this Agreement as Schedule-I. It is agreed that duties prescribed in the Schedule-I are not exhaustive but are illustrative and II nd Party will be bound to perform its duties, as directed by Competent Authority from time to time. The Party No. II shall carry out its duties as
and execute orders / instructions issued by the First Party with due diligence and efficiency during period of contract.
4. In case of any default on the part of the Party No. II if the Government suffers financial loss or damage then the Government will be at liberty to recover the said loss / damage from Party No.II. It shall have charge on the amount of remuneration payable to Party No.II.
5. Assignment of 11 months contract is renewable for a further two terms of 11 months (i.e. total 3 terms). Subject to the satisfaction of Competent Authority, and on its recommendations.
6. The Party No.II will not be entitled to claim any rights, interest, benefits whatsoever of the permanent service in the Government.
7. The First Party will be at liberty to terminate this agreement without assigning any reason before completion of the tenure of 11 months and without giving prior notice in writing.
8. The Party No.II will also be at liberty to terminate this agreement by giving one month prior written notice to the First Party.
9. In the event of Clause 7 and 8, the First party shall be liable to pay proportionate remuneration to the Party No.II till the date of termination of the agreement.
10. The Party No.II shall hold in confidence and shall not disclose to any person any information, documents, official secrets from office record assigned to it. The Party No.II shall take due care to maintain the confidentiality of such information, documents, official secrets. The Party No.II shall be fully responsible for any disclosure or misuse of such information, documents and official secrets. The IInd Party will have to maintain utmost secrecy and confidentiality at all times as regard any information or knowledge obtained / gathered during the said contractual period, and will not indulge in any activity prejudicial to the interest of the Government.
11. The normal working hours of shall be as determined by the concerned Competent Authority from time to time.
12. If at any time, the Competent Authority is of the opinion that integrity of the second party is doubtful or IInd party behave in a disorderly or in a negligent manner or
पृष्ट्ठ § पैकी Ç
शासि पनरपत्रक क्रमांकः एसआरव्ही 3○Я§/प्र.क्र.ð55/काया.Я3
violated any term/condition of this contract, then in that event, without giving any notice the contract shall stand terminated.
13. After termination of this agreement the Party No.II shall be bound to return all he office record, papers, documents, books or other material in its custody, to the party No.1.
14. The Party No.II shall not be entitled to any kind of leave and he/she will not leave the Headquarter or duty without prior permission of the Competent Authority during the period of contract.
15. Absence of the IInd party at the work for more than 10 days without any sufficient cause, would automatically amount to termination of this contract without any notice or intimation to the IInd Party by the Competent Authority. And IInd party shall not be entitled for the remuneration for the said period of absence.
16. In case the Party No.II could not attend the work for any reason and remains absent with previous permission of the Competent Authority. Party No.II shall be entitled to proportionate remuneration for the period he actually attended the work.
17. It is agreed that during the aforesaid period of contract IInd Party will not undertake any private work, except after taking special permission form the Competent Authority. If the Competent Authority is satisfied that such work affect the performance of duties and the same is against interest of State, the competent Authority may refuse permission of such work. Despite such refusal of permission, if IInd party accepts / continue to do the private work, this agreement/appointment shall stand terminated and if any loss / damage is caused to the Government due to such act of the IInd party, he/she will be liable for action as per Law.
18. The Party No. Xx shall not delegate any of his/her rights and duties and obligation under the Agreement to any third person.
In witness whereof, the Parties hereto have both caused this Agreement to be executed the day and year first herein above written.
SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED BY THE
(Name and Designation)
On behalf of the Governor of Maharashtra
Through Competent Authority Shri / Smt. Designation
1st Party
In the presence of – 1)
2)
SIGNED AND SEALED BY Shri / Smt. Designation IInd
party.
In the presence of – 1)
2)
पृष्ट्ठ § पैकी §
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 6132-33 OF 2016
(Arising out of SLP(C) Nos. 34788-34789 of 2012)
STATE OF MAHARASHTRA & ORS. ..Appellants
Versus
XXXXX & ANR ETC Respondents
With
CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 6134, 6135-36,
6137,6138,6139,6140,6141-42,6143,6144,6145,6146,6147-48,6149,
6150,6151,6152-53,6154,6155,6156,6157 OF 2016 (Arising out of SLP(C) Nos. 34792/12, 35146-35147/12, 36965/12,
36967/12, 36968/12, 38636/12, 39133-39134/12, 4482/13, 4484/13,
4588/13, 4592/13, 4594-4595/13, 8580/13, 11864/13, 17329/13,
17331-17332/13, 36070/13, 9282/14, 13647/14 and 14974/16)
J U D G M E N T
X. XXXXXXXXX, X.
Xxxxx condoned. Leave granted.
2. This batch of appeals has been filed against the order dated 28.03.2012 and other impugned orders passed by the High Court of Bombay Bench at Aurangabad whereby 471 posts of Legal Advisors, Law Officers and Law Instructors created by Government Resolutions dated 21.08.2006 and 15.09.2006 for appointment on contractual basis under
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the Director General of Police and Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai, were held to be permanent in nature. For convenience, appeals arising out of SLP(C) No.34788-34789 of 2012 are taken as the lead case.
3. State of Maharashtra vide Government Resolution dated 21.08.2006 approved creation of 471 posts in various cadres including Legal Advisors, Law Officers and Law Instructors under the establishment of Director General of Police and Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai. As per clause (3) of the said Government Resolution, the posts shall be filled up on contractual basis as per the terms and conditions prescribed by the Government. By a subsequent Resolution dated 15.09.2006, the Government maintained that 471 posts created vide resolution dated 21.08.2006 shall be filled up on contractual basis by payment of consolidated pay. As per the conditions of service laid down in the Government Resolution dated 15.09.2006, the appointment was initially for eleven months and with a provision of extension up to maximum of three terms each term being of eleven months. After expiry of third term, the candidates are required to face fresh selection process once again. After the expiry of the term of respondents, their appointments automatically came to an end. In pursuance of the expiry of terms of respondents, the State issued fresh advertisements for recruitment of Legal Advisors, Law Officers and Law Instructors on 05.12.2009,
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13.01.2010 etc.
4. On expiry of the contractual period and being aggrieved by publication of fresh advertisement, the respondents approached the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal challenging the conditions in the Government Resolutions dated 21.08.2006 and 15.09.2006, which laid down that the appointment of the law officers/law instructors shall be contractual, is arbitrary and that the respondents should have been appointed on regular pay scale and not on consolidated pay. The tribunal partly allowed the claim of the respondents and the tribunal struck down those provisions by holding that clause (3) of the Government Resolution dated 21.08.2006 and the clauses 'A', 'B', and 'C' in the Government Resolution dated 15.9.2006 suffered from arbitrariness and unreasonableness. However, no direction was issued by the tribunal directing the State Government to regularise the respondents.
5. Aggrieved thereof, respondents filed writ petitions before the High Court seeking for a direction to the State Government to regularise their services. State Government also filed writ petition challenging the order of the tribunal striking down the clauses in the said Government Resolutions as arbitrary and for setting aside the order of the tribunal.
6. The High Court vide impugned judgment dismissed all the writ petitions filed by the State Government as well as by the respondents.
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The High Court took the view that 471 posts created by the State Government in various cadres are permanent posts and thus the appointments thereon must also be permanent. However, considering the fact that the appointment of the respondents were not made in regular manner under the constitutional scheme, the High Court held that the respondents/original applicants cannot claim permanency and/or regularisation.
7. Being aggrieved, the State as well as the applicants have preferred these appeals. Vide order dated 02.11.2012, this Court has granted stay of operation of the impugned judgment dated 28.03.2012 passed by the High Court as well as the order dated 06.05.2010 passed by the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal, Aurangabad Bench and this Court directed that the respondents be permitted to continue in service until further orders. Similar orders came to be passed in other appeals also. However, this Court’s order dated 02.11.2012 was modified by a subsequent order of this Court dated 19.08.2014 to the effect that “the Law Officers/Law Advisers/Law Instructors, whose contractual appointments have come to an end, shall not be continued beyond their contractual period. If their appointments have been renewed, the same shall be continued till the period comes to an end”.
8. On instructions, counsel for the State of Maharashtra
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submitted that in view of the order dated 19.08.2014, presently none of the respondents are continuing in service. Since none of the respondents are continuing in service, the appeals have become infructuous. However, the appeals ought to be decided to answer the contentious issues raised and to settle the questions of law involved in the matter.
9. Learned counsel for the appellants contented that 471 posts created by the Government Resolution dated 21.08.2006 were not permanent posts and the appointments were made purely on contractual basis. It was submitted that filling up of 471 posts on contractual basis and not on permanent basis is a matter of government policy and that it was beyond the purview of the tribunal to set aside the same. It was submitted that the respondents had entered into a contract with the State Government thereby accepting the terms of service laid down in Government Resolution dated 15.09.2006 and having accepted the appointment on contractual basis, the respondents are estopped from challenging the validity of the said Government Resolutions dated 21.08.2006 and 15.09.2006.
10. Per contra, the counsel for the respondents contended that clause (3) in the Government Resolution dated 21.08.2006 and clause 'A', 'B' and 'C' in the Government Resolution dated 15.09.2006 are arbitrary and unreasonable and rightly struck down by the tribunal as violative of
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Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India. It was further contended that even though the respondents had entered into a contract with the government accepting clause (3) in the Government Resolution dated 21.08.2006 and the clauses 'A', 'B' and 'C' in the Government Resolution dated 15.09.2006, the same will not operate as estoppel.
11. We have carefully considered the rival submissions made by learned counsel for the parties and perused the impugned judgment and the material on record.
12. In the Government Resolution dated 21.08.2006 while creating 471 posts in various cadres including Legal Advisors, Law Officers and Law Instructors in clause (3) of the said Resolution, it was made clear that the posts created ought to be filled up on contractual basis. Clause (3) reads as under:-
“The said posts instead of being filled in the regular manner should be kept vacant and should be filled on the contract basis as per the terms and conditions prescribed by the government or having prepared the Recruitment Rules should be filled as per the provisions therein.”
13. Subsequently, the said Resolution was modified by Government Resolution dated 15.09.2006. In the said Resolution, the column specifying “Pay Scale” was substituted with column “Combined Permissible Monthly Pay + Telephone & Travel Expenses”. However, there was no change in the decision of the government on filling up the posts on contractual basis. Government Resolution dated 15.09.2006 stipulates
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the terms and conditions of the contractual appointments. Xxxxxxx 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'D' read as under:-
“A) The appointment of the said posts would be completely on contractual basis. These officers/employees would not be counted as government employees.
B) The said appointments should be made on contract basis firstly for
11 months. After 11 months the term of the agreement could be increased from time to time if necessary. Whereas, the appointing authority would take the precaution while extending the terms in this manner that, at one time this term should not be more than 11 months. The appointment in this way could be made maximum three times. Thereafter, if the competent authority is of the opinion that the reappointment of such candidate is necessary then such candidate would have to again face the selection process.
C) The concerned appointing authority at the time of the appointment would execute an agreement with the concerned candidate in the prescribed format. The prescribed format of the agreement is given in Appendix 'B'. It would be the responsibility of the concerned office to preserve all the documents of the agreement.
D) Except for the combined pay and permissible telephone and travel expenses (more than the above mentioned limit) any other allowances would not be admissible for the officers/employees being appointed on contract basis.”
14. The intention of the State Government to fill up the posts of Legal Advisors, Law Officers and Law Instructors on contractual basis is manifest from the above clauses in Government Resolutions dated 21.08.2006 and 15.09.2006. While creating 471 posts vide Resolution dated 21.08.2006, the Government made it clear that the posts should be filled up on contractual basis as per terms and conditions prescribed by the Government. As per clause 'B' of the Government Resolution dated 15.09.2006, the initial contractual period of appointment is eleven months and there is a provision for extension of contract for further eleven
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months. Xxxxxx 'B' makes it clear that the appointment could be made maximum three times and extension of contract beyond the third term is not allowed. If the competent authority is of the opinion that the reappointment of such candidates is necessary then such candidates would again have to face the selection process.
15. It is relevant to note that the respondents at the time of appointment have accepted an agreement in accordance with Appendix 'B' attached to Government Resolution dated 15.09.2006. The terms of the agreement specifically lay down that the appointment is purely contractual and that the respondents will not be entitled to claim any rights, interest and benefits whatsoever of the permanent service in the government. We may usefully refer to the relevant clauses in the format of the agreement which read as under:-
“1. The First Party hereby agrees to appoint Shri/Smt. (Party
No. II) as a on contract basis for a period of 11 months
commencing from to (mention date) on consolidated remuneration of Rs. (Rupees only) per month, and said remuneration will be payable at the end of each calendar month according to British Calendar. It is agreed that IInd party shall not be entitled for separate T.A. and D.A. during the contract period….
2. ….......
3. …......
4. …........
5. Assignment of 11 months contract is renewable for a further two terms of 11 months (i.e. total 3 terms), subject to the satisfaction of Competent Authority, and on its recommendations.
6. The Party No. II will not be entitled to claim any rights, interest, benefits whatsoever of the permanent service in the Government.”
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16. The above terms of the agreement further reiterate the stand of the State that the appointments were purely contractual and that the respondents shall not be entitled to claim any right or interest of permanent service in the government. The appointments of respondents were made initially for eleven months but were renewed twice and after serving the maximum contractual period, the services of the respondents came to an end and the Government initiated a fresh process of selection. Conditions of respondents’ engagement is governed by the terms of agreement. After having accepted contractual appointment, the respondents are estopped from challenging the terms of their appointment. Furthermore, respondents are not precluded from applying for the said posts afresh subject to the satisfaction of other eligibility criteria.
17. The High Court did not keep in view the various clauses in the Government Resolutions dated 21.08.2006 and 15.09.2006 and also the terms of the agreement entered into by the respondents with the government. Creation of posts was only for administrative purposes for sanction of the amount towards expenditure incurred but merely because the posts were created, they cannot be held to be permanent in nature. When the government has taken a policy decision to fill up 471 posts of Legal Advisors, Law Officers and Law Instructors on contractual basis, the
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tribunal and the High Court ought not to have interfered with the policy decision to hold that the appointments are permanent in nature.
18. In the result, the impugned judgment of the High Court is set aside and these appeals are allowed.
19. Consequently, all other appeals are also allowed.
20. No costs.
….……...................CJI. (T.S. THAKUR)
……….......................J. (X. XXXXXXXXX)
New Delhi; July 12, 2016.
………......................J. (XXXX XXXXX LALIT)
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