The petitioners have been working as casual employees in the Punjab Region Office of FCI since 1986-87.

Punjab HC Directs FCI to Grant Regular Status to Long-Serving Casual Workers in 4 Months

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has overturned its February 1, 2017 order that had rejected the claims of long-serving casual workers at the Punjab Region Office of the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The court noted that the failure to regularise workers employed against perennial posts amounted to an unfair labour practice.

Justice Sandeep Moudgil described the earlier order as arbitrary and unconstitutional. He directed FCI to carry out a one-time regularisation exercise for the petitioners and other similarly placed long-serving casual workers within four months.

The petitioners have been working as casual employees in the Punjab Region Office of FCI since 1986-87. They had sought regularisation from November 6, 1995, or from the date of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) instructions issued on September 10, 1993, along with all associated benefits.

The court observed that these workers were directly engaged as casual staff in 1986-87 and had provided uninterrupted service for over three decades. Their duties were repeatedly recognised by FCI as perennial in nature.

As a result, the writ petition was allowed, and the 2017 order rejecting the workers’ claims was set aside.

The court directed FCI to consider these employees for regular appointment or absorption against available Category-IV, Watchman, or equivalent posts from the date each petitioner became eligible. It also ordered that all consequential benefits, including pay fixation, arrears, and interest at 6% per annum from the date the benefits became due until actual receipt, be provided. The entire process must be completed within four months of receiving a certified copy of the judgement.

Source: The Tribune