HC asks govt to frame policy on regularisation of contract staff

Hyderabad: Telangana high court on Thursday advised the state govt to frame a clear policy on the regularisation of temporary and contract employees, referring to the landmark secretary, state of Karnataka versus Umadevi (2006) judgment of the Supreme Court. A division bench comprising Chief Justice AK Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin made the observation while hearing an appeal filed by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) against a single judge's order. The earlier ruling had quashed a dismissal memo and directed the university to regularise the services of an employee, A Narasimha, while granting him backdated benefits, seniority and salary arrears from the completion of five years of service. During Thursday's hearing, the division bench stayed the single judge's directions and adjourned the matter to April 15 for further hearing. The bench noted that thousands of similar cases remain pending in the state, largely because no fresh law or govt order on regularisation has been issued in Telangana since 1993. It observed that the Supreme Court's ruling in the Uma Devi case provides a framework for addressing the regularisation of employees who have served for long periods as temporary or contract staff. The judges suggested that the govt take a clear policy decision on the issue to address the large number of pending disputes. Emphasising adherence to the framework laid down by the Supreme Court, the bench said a definitive policy would help provide clarity for thousands of employees while also easing the burden of litigation before the courts.