Durlove Gohain and 20 Ors v. The State of Assam and 5 Ors

ORDER

02.09.2024

¶1Heard Mr. F.U. Barbhuiya, learned counsel appears for petitioners. Also heard Mr. I. Borthakur, learned Standing Counsel for the Forest Department. Mr. R. Borpujari, learned Standing Counsel, Finance Department appears for the respondent no.2

¶2Mr. F.U. Barbhuiya, learned counsel submits that the petitioners by filing this writ petition seek for a direction to the respondent authorities to pay them the minimum scale of pay, in terms of the judgment rendered by this Court in Page No.# 7/8 the case of State of Assam vs. Upen Das, reported in (2017) 4 GLR 493. He submits that the petitioners have been working as Casual Workers in Kaziranga National Park for more than 10 years and despite having approached the respondent authorities on several occasions, they have not been given the benefit of minimum scale of pay.

¶3Mr. I. Borthakur, learned Standing Counsel for the Forest Department submits that there is a Committee formed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (in short PCCF) to verify the eligibility of the Casual Workers, who will be entitled to get the minimum scale of pay and therefore, if the petitioners approach the said Committee through the PCCF, their case may be considered.

¶4To this submission, Mr. F.U. Barbhuiya, learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the Divisional Forest Officer (in short DFO), Eastern Assam Wild Life Division, Bokakhat had in fact written to the PCCF on 30.11.2021 (Annexure-7) stating that as many as 31 numbers of Casual Workers have been working regularly. The learned counsel submits that the 21 petitioners are also amongst the 31 Casual Workers who have been said to have worked regularly. The learned counsel submits that as per the said communication dated

30.11.2021, the name of the petitioners find place at Sl. Nos.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 24, 1, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 & 31 respectively. He therefore submits that the respondent authorities may be directed to grant the petitioners the minimum scale of pay to the petitioners.

¶5Having regard to the claim made by the petitioners and the names having Page No.# 8/8 been forwarded by the DFO concern before the PCCF on 30.11.2021, the PCCF shall place the matter before the constituted Committee to verify the claims of the petitioners and in the event, the petitioners qualify for the grant of minimum scale of pay, the same should be given to them without further delay. The petitioners shall submit a copy of this writ petition before the respondent no.3

(PCCF) who shall do the needful, in terms of the direction passed hereinabove. The exercise should be done and completed within a period of 3 (three) months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order.

¶6The writ petition is accordingly disposed of.

JUDGE Comparing Assistant

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