IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.GIRI FRIDAY, THE 30TH NOVEMBER 2007 / 9TH AGRAHAYANA 1929 WP(C).No. 33354 of 2007(U) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------ MR. K.P.YAKOOB, KUDIYIRICKAL, SOUTH KATHIPARA, DEVIKULAM TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT PIN 685562. BY ADV. SRI.S.EASWARAN RESPONDENTS: ------------------ 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, FOREST DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, TRIVANDRUM. 2. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, TRIVANDRUM. 3. CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS, OFFICE OF THE CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS, HIGH RANGE CIRCLE, S.H.MOUNT, P.O.KOTTAYAM. 4. DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, OFFICE OF THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, MUNNAR DIVISION, DEVIKULAM. 5. FOREST RANGE OFFICER, OFFICE OF THE FOREST RANGE OFFICER, ADIMALI. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.BEJOY CHANDRAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 30/11/2007, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: V.GIRI,J. ------------------------- W.P ( C) No. 33354 of 2007 -------------------------- Dated this the 30th November, 2007 J U D G M E N T The petitioner was working on daily wages as Plantation Watcher at various places in Adimaly Range under the 4th respondent, he contends. He refers to Exhibits P1 and P2 series in this regard. He claims that for the period from 1982 to 1999 he was not paid wages. According to him, during this period he also met with another misfortune, when he was subjected to a snake bite. Apparently, he lost his vision in the left eye completely on account of the said incident. Petitioner contends that over the years he had approached several authorities for payment of the salary illegally withheld by them. He thereafter appeared before the 4th respondent pursuant to Exhibit-P9. But nothing further was heard in this regard. It is in these circumstances, he approaches this Court. Learned Government Pleader submits that the petitioner was employed on daily wages. Therefore, he may not be entitled to either arrears of salary or compensation as claimed by him. I am of the view in the facts and circumstances of the case that there must be a sympathetic consideration of the plea made by W.P ( C) No. 33354 of 2007 2 the petitioner. In the circumstances, this writ petition is disposed of directing the 4th respondent to look into the petitioner's claim and take a decision on the petitioner's claim for arrears of wages and for other benefits claimed by the petitioner. The petitioner may file a representation before the 4th respondent indicating these aspects, within one month from today, and if so, the 4th respondent shall take a decision thereon and intimate the same to the petitioner, within three months thereafter. (V.GIRI, JUDGE) ma W.P ( C) No. 33354 of 2007 2 K.THANKAPPAN,J CRL.A. NO.92 OF 1999 ORDER 25th May, 2007