HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE RAMESH RANGANATHAN WRIT PETITION No. 6997 of 2001 ORDER: In this Writ Petition, the petitioners question the action of respondent Nos.3 to 8 in terminating their services, without giving them an opportunity of being heard, as illegal, arbitrary, unconstitutional and against principles of natural justice. A consequential direction is sought that their services be regularized. Petitioners, 8 in number, claim to have been appointed as Vidya Volunteers pursuant to the Government Memo dated 08.09.1998 and G.O.Ms.No.17 dated 08.01.1999, whereby their services were engaged to provide education to elementary and other school children. They were initially paid Rs.500/-, which was later increased to Rs.1,000/- and, thereafter, to Rs.1,500/- per month. It is their grievance that, at the end of the academic year 2000-2001, the respondents were about to terminate their services and, on the ground that they are entitled to have their services regularized, they have invoked the jurisdiction of this Court. No counter affidavit is filed by any of the respondents. The Writ Petition was also dismissed for default as against respondent No.8 by order dated 27.07.2009. Pursuant to an interim order passed by this Court in WPMP.No.8879 of 2001 on 13.04.2001, the petitioners are said to be continuing in service. No scheme which entitles the petitioners to claim regularization has been brought to the notice of this Court. Smt A.Chaya Devi, Learned Counsel for the petitioners, would, however, contend that there is necessity for such volunteers, more so as education to primary children is now a fundamental right. She would contend that the respondents were, themselves, in the process of regularizing the services of these Vidya Volunteers. As no counter affidavit has been filed, it is not known as to what the factual position is. In the absence of any scheme of regularization, no mandamus can be issued directing the respondents to regularize the services of the petitioners. Since, Smt A.Chaya Devi, learned Counsel for the petitioners, would assert that the respondents are themselves in the process of regularizing the services of the petitioners, this Writ Petition is being disposed of directing the respondents to consider the petitioners’ cases for regularization, under any scheme in existence, in accordance with law, within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. However, in the circumstances, without costs. RAMESH RANGANATHAN,J Date:25.11.2010 usd