HC asks CUO to appoint ‘lecturers on contract’ relieved from posts as asst profs | Bhubaneswar News
Cuttack: Orissa high court on Friday directed the Central University of Odisha (CUO), Koraput, to appoint the ‘lecturers on contract‘, who were relieved from their services nearly six years ago, as ‘assistant professors‘ in their respective posts.
The single judge bench of Justice Biraja Prasanna Satapathy said, “Taking into account the fact that the petitioners were all engaged as ‘lecturers on contract’ against sanctioned regular post in terms of the selection process and since the petitioners possess the required qualification to hold the post of assistant professor on regular basis, this court is of the view that the petitioners are eligible and entitled to get the benefit of absorption in their respective posts in which they are engaged.”
“Therefore, this court while disposing the writ petition, directs the Central University of Odisha (Koraput) to take steps for absorption of the petitioners in their respective posts,” Justice Satapathy added, while directing the university to issue appropriate order in that regard within a period of two months from the date of receipt of this order.” “Till such order of absorption is issued, petitioners will be allowed to continue as lecturer on contract in their respective departments,” Justice Satapathy added.
The lecturers on contracts were engaged in 2012 and their services were renewed from time to time with hikes in their monthly remuneration. But they were relieved from their services on June 30, 2019 and the university issued fresh advertisement on July 1, 2019, for empanelment of guest faculty for 25 posts in 10 departments.
Subsequently, the batch of petitions were filed in 2019, 2023 and 2024 challenging the advertisement. They were taken up for analogous hearing. It was argued on their behalf that one set of adhoc or temporary employees should not be replaced by another ad hoc or temporary employee by issuing another advertisement which is contrary to the constitution mandate. The petitioners also sought regularisation of their services in the sanctioned posts against which they were engaged as lecturers on contract.
Acting on the petitions, the HC in interim orders in July 2019 directed maintenance of status quo with regard to the posts held by the petitioners and said the selection process may continue pursuant to the advertisement issued on July 1, 2019, but no final decision shall be taken without the court’s permission. The interim orders were in effect till the petitions were disposed of on Friday.
The single judge bench of Justice Biraja Prasanna Satapathy said, “Taking into account the fact that the petitioners were all engaged as ‘lecturers on contract’ against sanctioned regular post in terms of the selection process and since the petitioners possess the required qualification to hold the post of assistant professor on regular basis, this court is of the view that the petitioners are eligible and entitled to get the benefit of absorption in their respective posts in which they are engaged.”
“Therefore, this court while disposing the writ petition, directs the Central University of Odisha (Koraput) to take steps for absorption of the petitioners in their respective posts,” Justice Satapathy added, while directing the university to issue appropriate order in that regard within a period of two months from the date of receipt of this order.” “Till such order of absorption is issued, petitioners will be allowed to continue as lecturer on contract in their respective departments,” Justice Satapathy added.
The lecturers on contracts were engaged in 2012 and their services were renewed from time to time with hikes in their monthly remuneration. But they were relieved from their services on June 30, 2019 and the university issued fresh advertisement on July 1, 2019, for empanelment of guest faculty for 25 posts in 10 departments.
Subsequently, the batch of petitions were filed in 2019, 2023 and 2024 challenging the advertisement. They were taken up for analogous hearing. It was argued on their behalf that one set of adhoc or temporary employees should not be replaced by another ad hoc or temporary employee by issuing another advertisement which is contrary to the constitution mandate. The petitioners also sought regularisation of their services in the sanctioned posts against which they were engaged as lecturers on contract.
Acting on the petitions, the HC in interim orders in July 2019 directed maintenance of status quo with regard to the posts held by the petitioners and said the selection process may continue pursuant to the advertisement issued on July 1, 2019, but no final decision shall be taken without the court’s permission. The interim orders were in effect till the petitions were disposed of on Friday.
