IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.SURENDRA MOHAN FRIDAY, THE 18TH NOVEMBER 2011 / 27TH KARTHIKA 1933 WP(C).No. 19497 of 2009(F) ------------------------------------ PETITIONER(S): ----------------------- 1. V.J.SUNNY, PUMP OPERATOR, RAMAMANGALAM SECTION, ALUVA SUB DIVISION, ERNAKULAM DIVISION, IRRIGATION DEPARTMENT, ERNAKULAM. 2. M.P.ABDUL NAZAR, PUMP OPERATOR, THIRURANGADI SECTION, PARAPPANANGADI SUB DIVISION, MALAPPURAM DIVISION. 3. M.RAJENDRAN, PUMP OPERATOR, MALA SECTION, CHALAKUDY SUB DIVISION, THRISSUR DIVISION. 4. JOHNSON.P.K., PUMP OPERATOR, RAMAMANGALAM SECTION, ALUVA SUB DIVISION, ERNAKULAM DIVISION. 5. M.V.VINOD KUMAR, PUMP OPERATOR, KUTTIPPURAM SECTION, KUTTIPPURAM SUB DIVISION, MALAPPURAM DIVISION. 6. V.G.RAJAGOPAL, PUMP OPERATOR, ALUVA SECTION, ALUVA SUB DIVISION, ERNAKULAM DIVISION. 7. P.D.GEORGE, PUMP OPERATOR, KALADY SECTION, ALUVA SUB DIVISION, ERNAKULAM DIVISION. 8. P.MURALEEDHARAN, PUMP OPERATOR, ALUVA SECTION, ALUVA SUB DIVISION, ERNAKULAM DIVISION. 9. RAVINDRAN.M.S, PUMP OPERATOR, RAMAMANGALAM SECTION, ALUVA SUB DIVISION, ERNAKULAM DIVISION. 10. V.G.UNNIKRISHNAN, PUMP OPERATOR, RAMAMANGALAM SECTION, ALUVA SUB DIVISION, ERNAKULAM DIVISION. 11. HARIKRISHNAN NAIR, ASSISTANT OPERATOR, WATCHER, THIRUVALLA, MALLAPPALLY. 12. K.A.SEBASTIAN, PUMP OPERATOR, MALA SECTION, CHALAKUDY SUB DIVISION, THRISSUR DIVISTION. 13. T.P.RAJU, PUMP OPERATOR, RAMAMANGALAM SECTION, ALUVA SUB DIVISION, ERNAKULAM DIVISION. 14. SAJU CHACKO, PUMP OPERATOR, RAMAMANGALAM SECTION, ALUVA SUB DIVISION, ERNAKULAM DIVISION. 15. T.M.GEORGE, CANAL WATCHER, P.V. I. P. SUB DIVISION, P.V.I.P, PERUMBAVOOR. 16. K.P.BENNY, CANAL WATCHER, P.V. I. P-II, SUB DIVISION, HALF SECTION, PERUMBAVOOR P.V. I.P, PERUMBAVOOR. 17. SURESH A.CHETTIYODU, CANAL WATCHER, POTHUNDI SECTION, NENMARA SUB DIVISION, MALAMPUZHA DIVISION. 18. T.C.JOY, PUMP OPERATOR, MINOR IRRIGATION, CHALAKUDY SECTION, CHALAKUDY SUB DIVISION, THRISSUR DIVISION. 19. P.L.SHAJU, PUMP OPERATOR, MINOR IRRIGATION, CHALAKUDY SECTION, CHALAKUDY SUB DIVISION, THRISSUR DIVISION. BY ADVs. SRI.P.RAMAKRISHNAN AND SMT.ASHA K.SHENOY RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, WATER RESOURCES (A) DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 3. THE CHIEF ENGINEER, IRRIGATION AND ADMINISTRATION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. R1 TO R3 BY GOVT. PLEADER ADV.SRI.JOSE ADIYODY THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 18/11/2011, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: DG WP(C).No. 19497 of 2009(F) APPENDIX PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS P1 - COPY OF G.O DATED 20/01/90 P2 - COPY OF THE NOTE PUT UP BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER FOR WATER RESOURCES, KERALA STATE. P3 - COPY OF RELEVANT EXTRACTS OF THE ABOVE SENIORITY LIST. P4 - COPY OF THE REPORT DATED17/2/09 OF THE 3RD RESPONDENT. P5 - COPY OF THE GOVERNMENTORDER DATED 22/04/09. P6 - COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 04/02/2011 RESPONDENT'S EXHIBIT R3(a) - COPY OF THE G.O (Rt) NO.402/05/WRD DATED 02.04.05 TRUE COPY P.A JUDGE DG K.SURENDRA MOHAN, J = = = = = = = = = = = = = WP(C).No.19497 of 2009-F. = = = = = = = = = = = = = Dated this the 18th November, 2011. J U D G M E N T The petitioners are working as Hand Receipt/Casual Labour Roll (HR/CLR) workers engaged as Pump Operators, Canal Watchers etc., in the Irrigation Department. According to the petitioners, they have over two decades of service to their credit. Originally, the Government had decided to absorb them as Seasonal Labour Roll (SLR) workers as per Ext.P2. Subsequently, a seniority list of HR hands in service who had joined on or before 31.5.2000 was drawn up. The petitioners are included in the said list. Though, as per Ext.P4, the third respondent had recommended regularisation of HR/CLR workers, without considering the same, Ext.P5 has been issued rejecting the claim of the petitioners for regularisation. 2. Along with IA.No.11234/2011, the petitioners have produced Ext.P6 proceedings which shows that the issue of regularisation of HR/CLR workers is under consideration of WP(C).No.19497/2009-F. 2 the first respondent. Ext.P6 is a communication issued by the Chief Engineer in this regard. The counsel for the petitioner submits that further action pursuant to Ext.P6 may be directed to be initiated and completed within a specified time. 3. I have heard the learned Senior Govt.Pleader also. 4. In view of the limited relief that is claimed, this writ petition itself can be disposed of issuing the said direction. 5. This writ petition is accordingly disposed of directing the first respondent to initiate and complete all further proceedings pursuant to Ext.P6 for the regularisation of HR/CLR workers in the Irrigation Department in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible and at any rate within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. K.SURENDRA MOHAN, (Judge) Kvs/-