Jharkhand High Court orders regularization of temporary workers’ services in landmark decision

Ranchi: Jharkhand High Court, under the guidance of Justice Dr. SN Pathak, has issued a landmark verdict concerning the regularization of services for part-time and temporary employees in various state and central government institutions. The court, in its decision on Monday, directed both the state and central governments to issue notices within four months to candidates who have served on a part-time or temporary basis for over 10 years. The court has mandated the regularization of their services.

This decision stems from the simultaneous hearing of 69 petitions related to service regularization. The court had previously reserved its decision before announcing this crucial judgment. In its ruling, the court emphasized the need for the central and state governments to form committees within their respective departments to address decisions regarding the regularization of part-time temporary workers in various institutions.

These committees will be tasked with deliberating on the regularization process, under the adherence to guidelines set by the Uma Devi judgment of the Supreme Court, former Jharkhand High Court Justice NN Tiwari, and the state government’s regularization protocols.

Additionally, the court has instructed applicants to submit representations to the concerned department within one month.

The government is required to make a decision on the candidate’s representation within four months and inform the applicant. If dissatisfied with the department’s decision, the applicant can file a petition in the High Court.

The petitions were heard collectively, and the court’s decision serves as a significant stride towards ensuring job security and regularization for temporary workers who have dedicated over a decade of service. This ruling aligns with the Supreme Court’s Uma Devi case, emphasizing sympathetic consideration and regularization for employees serving for 10 years or more.