Garhwal Post Bureau
Nainital, 7 Apr: The Uttarakhand High Court today heard contempt petitions filed in connection with the non-regularisation of members of the Uttarakhand UPNL Contract Employees’ Association and the daily wage workers engaged in the Forest Department, despite earlier judicial directions. After hearing the matter, the single bench of Justice Alok Kumar Verma directed Personnel Secretary Shailesh Bagoli to appear in person before the court on 20 April at 10:30 a.m.
During the proceedings, the court sought specific clarifications from the Personnel Secretary regarding the non-compliance of orders passed by both the High Court and the Supreme Court in the matter. The court asked why these directions have not been implemented so far and what concrete steps the state government has taken towards the regularisation of the concerned employees. The directions were issued while hearing the contempt petitions filed by the UPNL Employees’ Association and daily wage workers of the Forest Department.
The counsel representing the contractual employees’ association submitted before the court that a division bench of the High Court had earlier passed an order concerning the regularisation of UPNL employees but no decision has been taken by the state government on the said orders to date. It was further pointed out that the compliance with the earlier order has neither been ensured nor placed on record before the High Court.
During the hearing, submissions referencing earlier proceedings before the Supreme Court were also made, where a senior advocate appearing on behalf of the association had sought priority hearing in the contempt petition titled Uttarakhand UPNL Employees Association vs Anand Bardhan. The petition pertains to alleged non-compliance of judicial directives by the state authorities, including the office of the Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan.
Taking note of the submissions and the apparent delay in compliance, the single bench directed the Personnel Secretary to remain present in court with complete details of the action taken so far. The court emphasised the need for accountability and sought a clear explanation on the status of implementation of judicial orders relating to the regularisation of these employees, many of whom have been working for several years without being granted permanent status.
