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High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeWrit petitions disposed; University directed to...

Nisha Jayaprakash and Others v. The Registrar, Kerala Agricultural University, Velanikkara, Thrissur District; The Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University; The Executive Committee, Kerala Agricultural University; Professor and Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kerala Agricultural University

Case / Petition Number:WP(C).No. 32755 of 2010(T)

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • T.R. Ramachandran Nair
Judgment Date
2010-12-21
Court Decision / Holding
The competent authority among the respondents shall decide the representations in the light of para 55 of Umadevi (3) and the directives in Satya Prakash; a decision shall be made within one month from receipt of a copy of this judgment; writ petitions disposed of without costs.
Final Disposition
Writ petitions disposed; University directed to decide representations in light of para 55 Umadevi and Satya Prakash within one month; no costs.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • SMT.NISHA JAYAPRAKASH
  • SMT.SIBI DEVAN
  • SMT.SAJITHA ASHARAF
  • SMT. REKHA SASIDHARAN
  • SMT.BINDU P.J
  • SMT.SUNITHA VASUDEVAN
  • SMT.SREEDEVI UNNIKRISHNAN
  • SMT.SINDHU BABU
  • SMT.SUNEERA SHAJEEB
  • SMT.GAYATHRI DEVI N.F
  • SMT.JIJI BIJU
  • SMT.RADHIKA A.T
  • SMT.SANDHYA ANAND
  • SMT.SINDHU E.G
  • SMT.DIVYA T.R
  • SMT.LIPITHA K.K
  • SMT.NIDHA SASIDHARAN
  • SMT.SUMILA P.R
  • SMT.SUMATHI K.P
  • SMT.SOBHANA C.K
  • SMT.SHIJI E.D
  • SMT.SUNITHA M.N
  • SMT.AMMINI E.M
  • SMT.SUJATHA K.S

Respondents

  • THE REGISTRAR, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, VELANIKKARA, THRISSUR DISTRICT-680 656
  • THE VICE CHANCELLOR, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, VELANIKKARA, THRISSUR DISTRICT-680 656
  • EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, REPRESENTED BY THE VICE CHANCELLOR, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, VELANIKKARA, THRISSUR DISTRICT-680 656
  • PROFESSOR AND HEAD, KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO, THRISSUR DISTRICT-680 651

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Adv. Sri Sarvothaman

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Sri. K.P. MujeeB, SC, KERALA AGRI UNIVER

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ petition (WP(C). No. 32755/2010) is filed by 24 farm labourers employed at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Mannuthy, Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Petitioners 1-22 were recruited for gardening training from June to November 2007; petitioners 23-24 continued on the University premises from earlier years. They claim long service with KAU under contractor Shri K.J. Biju from 2001 onward, engaged on meagre wages and seek regularisation in service and related benefits. The University responds that the petitioners belong to Self Help Groups Harithasree and Udyansree and were engaged under contractual services at KVK, funded by ICAR; the petitioners’ training and demonstrations are functions of KVK and not regular employment. The petition cites two earlier judgments of this Court (Exts. P7 and P8) directing consideration of claims under paragraph 55 of the Umadevi decision and the Satya Prakash case. Counsel for petitioners urges relief under para 55, while the University maintains the claims lack merit. The Court declines to decide merits, but directs the competent authority to decide the representations under para 55 and Satya Prakash within one month from receipt of the judgment copy, disposing of the petitions with no costs.

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Umadevi (Secretary, State of Karnataka v. Umadevi) (2006) 4 SCC 1 – regularisation of casual/temporary workers under para 55
  • Satya Prakash v. State of Bihar and Others (2010) 4 SCC 179 – directives for consideration of regularisation claims

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

Petitioners contend for regularisation under paragraph 55 of Umadevi (3) and the Satya Prakash directives, arguing that years of service under contract through KVK constitute substantive engagement deserving regularisation; Exts. P7-P8 show this Court's directions to consider such claims. They urge the competent authority to decide quickly on their representations.

Contentions of Respondents

University maintains petitioners were engaged through SHG-based contractual arrangements for functioning of KVKs; the activities are part of KVK's mandate and ICAR funding; thus not regular staff; while agreeing to consider under para 55 and Satya Prakash per court directions, the petitioners' claims lack merits for automatic regularisation.

Cited Precedents (2)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Secretary, State of Karnataka v. Umadevi (3) and Others2006 (4) SCC 1PositiveCourt relies on para 55 of Umadevi for regularisation framework and directs consideration under that para.
Satya Prakash v. State of Bihar and Others2010 (4) SCC 179PositiveCourt uses Satya Prakash to support directives for considering regularisation claims.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

**IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** **PRESENT :** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE T.R.RAMACHANDRAN NAIR** **TUESDAY, THE 21ST DECEMBER 2010 / 30TH AGRAHAYANA 1932** **WP(C).No. 32755 of 2010(T)** **--------------------------------PETITIONER(S):** **-------------------** **1. SMT.NISHA JAYAPRAKASH,FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT KUTTIKATTUPARAMBIL HOUSE,MADAKKATHARA,PO, MANNUTHY, TRICHUR DISTRICT,PIN-680 651.** **2. SMT.SIBI DEVAN,FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT MANKUZHI HOUSE, VELLANIKKARA PO, TRICHUR DISTRICT,PIN-680 656.** **3. SMT.SAJITHA ASHARAF,FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT KARAPPAMVEETTIL HOUSE, THOTTAPADI PO, MANNUTHY,680 651.** **4. SMT. REKHA SASIDHARAN,FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT VYSYAPATT HOUSE, MADAKKATHARA PO, MANNUTHY,680 651.** **5. SMT.BINDU P.J,FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT NEELANKAVIL HOUSE, CHANNOTH,PATTIKKADU PO, TRICHUR DISTRICT,,680 652.** **6. SMT.SUNITHA VASUDEVAN,FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT PATTATH HOUSE, VELLANIKKARA, MADAKKATHARA, PIN-680 651.** **7. SMT.SREEDEVI UNNIKRISHNAN,FARM LABOURER,KRIS HI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT KAKKOTIL HOUSE, VELLANIKKARA PO,TRICHUR DISTRICT.** **.........2/-...** **...2...** **WP(C).No. 32755 of 2010(T)** **8. SMT.SINDHU BABU,FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT VYSYAPATT HOUSE, MADAKKATHARA PO,MANNUTHY, TRICHUR DISTRICT,680 651,** **9. SMT.SUNEERA SHAJEEB, FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT CHIRAYIL HOUSE, VELLANIKKARA PO,TRICHUR DISTRICT.** **10. SMT.GAYATHRI DEVI N.FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT KUTTICHERATHEKOODE HOUSE,MADAKKATHARA PO, MANNUTHY,PIN-680 651.** **11. SMT.JIJI BIJU, FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT NEELANKAVIL HOUSE, CHANNOTH,PATTIKKADU PO, 680 652.** **12. SMT.RADHIKA A.T, FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT ARIMPOOR HOUSE, MADAKKATHARA PO,MANNUTHY,PIN680 651.** **13. SMT.SANDHYA ANAND,FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT KALLEDATHIL HOUSE, THALIKODE PO,PATTOLLAD, PIN-680 652.** **14. SMT.SINDHU E.G, FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT MULLASSERY HOUSE, VELLANIKKARA PO,TRICHUR DISTRICT PIN-680 654.** **15. SMT.DIVYA T.R, FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT THRIKKUKARAN HOUSE, SURYA NAGAR,PANDIPARAMBU, VELLANIKKARA PO,TRICHUR DISTRICT- PIN-680 654.** **16. SMT.LIPITHA K.K, FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT KOTTAMALIL HOUSE, POOVANCHIRA PO,AYODE, TRICHUR DISTRICT- PIN-680 652.** **...........3/-...** **...3...** ## **WP(C).No. 32755 of 2010(T)** **17. SMT.NIDHA SASIDHARAN FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT VAISYAPATT HOUSE, MADAKKATHARA PO,MANNUTHY, PIN 680 651.** **18. SMT.SUMILA P.R, FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT POTTEKKATTIL HOUSE, KUTTIKKAD PLANTATION QUARTERS, KAU PO, VELLANIKKARA, TRICHUR DISTRICT.** **19. SMT.SUMATHI K.P, FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT PALAKKAL HOUSE, POOVANCHIRA PO,AYODE, TRICHUR DISTRICT,PIN 680 652.** **20. SMT.SOBHANA C.K, FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT CHUNDAYIL HOUSE, PATTIKKAD PO,TRICHUR DISTRICT,PIN 680 652.** **21. SMT.SHIJI E.D,FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT EDATHARA HOUSE, MADAKKATHARA PO,MANNUTHY, TRICHUR DISTRICT,PIN 680 651.** **22. SMT.SUNITHA M.N,FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT KOTTEKKADAN HOUSE, MADAKKATHARA PO,MANNUTHY, TRICHUR DISTRICT,PIN 680 651.** **23. SMT.AMMINI E.M, FARM LABOURER,KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT EDAPPARA HOUSE, KANNARA PO,TRICHUR DISTRICT.** **24. SMT.SUJATHA K.S,(KITCHEN STAFF) KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO,THRISSUR DISTRICT,680 651,RESIDING AT KARIMPUVALAPPIL HOUSE, VELLANIKKARA PO, CHIRAKKEKODE, TRICHUR DISTRICT.** ## **BY ADV. SRI.SARVOTHAMAN** **..........4/-....** **....4....** **WP(C).No. 32755 of 2010(T)** ## **RESPONDENT(S):** - **---------------------** **1. THE REGISTRAR,KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY,VELANIKKARA, THRISSUR DISTRICT-680 656.** **2. THE VICE CHANCELLOR,KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY,VELANIKKARA, THRISSUR DISTRICT-680 656.** **3. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY,REPRESENTED BY THE VICE CHANCELLOR, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, VELANIKKARA, THRISSUR DISTRICT-680 656.** **4. PROFESSOR AND HEAD, KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, MANNUTHY PO, THRISSUR DISTRICT-680 651.** **R1 TO R3 BY ADV. SRI.K.P.MUJEEB, SC, KERALA AGRI UNIVER** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 21/12/2010, ALONG WITH WPC.NO.37126/2010 THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **svs/** ## **WP(C).No. 32755/2010(T)** ## **APPENDIX** ## **PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS:** - **P1: COPY OF THE TRAINING CERTIFICATES ISSUED TO THE PETITIONERS 1 TO 22 IN RESPECT OF THEIR TRAINING AT KVK ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EXTENSION OF KERALA AGRL. UNIVERSITY.** - **P2: COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DATED 13/10/2010 BEFORE THE 1ST RESPONDENT.** - **P2(a):COPY OF THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AGAINST THE RECEIPT OF EXT.P2 ENDORSED BY THE OFFICE OF THE RESPONDENTS 1 AND 2.** - **P3: COPY OF LETTER ISSUED BY THE CONTRACTOR SRI.BIJU K.J. DATED 13/10/2010.** - **P4: COPY OF THE ORDER NO.GA/AF2/2434/2008 DATED 14/07/2010 OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT.** - **P4(a):COPY OF MEMO NO.K.V.K./T.C.R.60/06.** - **P5: COPY OF THE LETTER NO.KVK/TCR/305/09 DATED 27/09/2010** - **P6: COPY OF THE DECISION REPORTED (2010)4 SCC 179.** - **P7: COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 12/07/2010 IN WPC.NO.18640/2010** - **P8: COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 12/10/2010 IN WPC.NO.29645/2010 OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT.** - **P9: COPY OF THE ORDER NO.B/116/99 DATED 23/03/1999 ISSUED BY THE ESTATE OFFICER, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY.** - **P10: COPY OF ORDER NO.GAF2/35397/2010 DTD.21/10/2010.** - **P11: COPY OF ORDER NO.GAF2/38157/2010 DTD. 18/11/2010.** ## **RESPONDENT'S EXHIBITS:** - **R1: COPY OF THE STAFF PATTERN PRODEUCED THE PERIOD FROM JUNE TO NOVEMBER 2007.** - **R2: COPY OF THE MEMEORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.** **/TRUE COPY/** ## **P.A. TO JUDGE** **svs/** ## **T.R. RAMACHANDRAN NAIR, J.** **~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ W.P.(C). Nos.32755/2010-T & 37126/2010-M ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dated this the 21[st] day of December, 2010** ## **J U D G M E N T** These writ petitions are filed by petitioners who are working as Farm Labourers in Farms and Gardens of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mannuthy. **==> picture [397 x 12] intentionally omitted <==** No.32755/2010, petitioners 1 to 22 were recruited for training for gardeners from June to November 2007 and the petitioners 23 and 24 have been continuing at Farm of the respondent-University even prior to the year 2007 and the petitioner No.24 is now engaged in Kitchen duties of Krishi Vigyan Kendra and allied works. According to them, they have been engaged in different farms of the respondent-University from the year 2001 onwards till 2007 under the Contractor Shri K.J.Biju on contract basis and their services were utilised by the respondent-University on payment of meagre wages. The petitioners filed representation as per Ext.P2 seeking regularisation in service. 3. The petitioner in W.P.(C).No.37126/2010 is also a Farm Labourer under the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, W.P.(C). Nos.32755/2010 & 37126/2010 -:2:- Mannuthy. Similar averments have been made in this writ petition also. 4. In W.P.(C).No.32755/2010, the University has filed a statement. According to the University, the petitioners belong to two Self Help Groups viz. Harithasree Swayam Sahaya Sangham and Udyansree Swayam Sahaya Sangham and they are being engaged on contractual services in Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mannuthy. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra is fully financed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research. According to them, the mandatory activities of Krishi Vigyan Kendras include assessment and refinement of technologies, demonstration of improved varieties/technologies to the needy and imparting technical skill through trainings and demonstrations. 5. The stand taken, accordingly, is that the petitioners have been engaged and were given training programme on the basis of Ext.R2. The learned counsel for the University invited my attention to the conditions in Ext.R2 also to contend for the position that they are not entitled for the benefit of regularisation and other similar benefits. W.P.(C). Nos.32755/2010 & 37126/2010 -:3:- 6. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are only seeking for the benefit of paragraph (55) of the Judgment in **Secretary, State of Karnataka and Others v. Umadevi (3) and Others** **[(2006) 4 SCC 1]** as well as the directions issued in **Satya Prakash and Others v. State of Bihar and Others** ## **[(2010) 4 SCC 179].** 7. Exts.P7 and P8 are Judgments rendered by this Court in respect of certain farm labourers working under the University under different schemes. This Court considered two questions: one regarding the benefit of paragraph (53) and the other regarding the benefit of paragraph (55) of the Judgment in **Umadevi** **(3)'s case (** _**supra).**_ Ultimately, a direction was issued to the University to consider the claims of the petitioners therein for granting the benefit of paragraph (55) of the decision reported in **Umadevi** **(3)'s case (** _**supra)**_ and also the decision in **Satya Prakash's case (** _**supra**_ **)** . Ext.P8 is the Judgment in W.P. (C).No.29645/2010 which was rendered on similar lines. It is contended by the learned counsel for the petitioners by referring to Exts.P10 and P11 orders W.P.(C). Nos.32755/2010 & 37126/2010 -:4:- that in tune with the directions issued by this Court, the University has passed appropriate orders favourable to them. 8. Even though the learned Standing Counsel for the University submitted that the claim of the petitioners cannot be sustained, in the light of the fact that the petitioners are only seeking for a direction to consider their claim in terms of the directions in paragraph (55) of **Umadevi (3)'s case (** _**supra)**_ and in the light of Exts.P10 and P11 orders, I am not considering the matter on merits. The competent authority among the respondents will take a decision on the representation filed by them in the light of paragraph (55) of the Judgment in **Umadevi (3)'s case (** _**supra)**_ as well as the directions issued in **Satya Prakash's case (** _**supra**_ **)** . Appropriate decision will be taken within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this Judgment. The writ petitions are disposed of as above. No costs. ## **(T.R. Ramachandran Nair, Judge.)** ms