RANCHI, India, March 19 -- Jharkhand High Court issued the following order on March 17:
1. Petitioner, in this writ petition, has prayed for the following reliefs: -
(i) For issuance of an appropriate writ(s)/order(s)/ direction(s) in the nature of certiorari quashing and setting aside the office order No.02 dated 15.02.2022 (Annexure-12) issued by the District Agriculture Officer-cum-Project Director, ATMA, Godda (Respondent No.9) whereby and whereunder the employment contract of the Petitioner executed on 07.04.2012 has been arbitrarily terminated in violation of Article 14 and 311 of the Constitution of India and the principles of natural justice;
(ii) For issuance of an appropriate writ(s)/order(s)/ direction(s) in the nature of mandamus directing the reinstatement of the Petitioner on the post of Block Technology Manager, Godda with continuity of service and to give all the consequential reliefs and other benefits for the period of dismissal to reinstatement;
(iii) For issuance of an appropriate writ(s)/ order(s)/ direction(s) in the nature of mandamus directing the Respondent Authorities to disburse the salary of the Petitioner amounting to Rs.2,10,000/- (approximately) which has been illegally withheld by the Respondents even though the Petitioner was officially working till February, 2022;
2. Petitioner was appointed as Block Technology Manager in Godda District. Vide Office Order No.127 dated 30.03.2012, petitioner was directed to provide her services for the post of Block Technology Manager, Godda Block, District Godda. An agreement was executed on 07.04.2012 between the Project Director, Agricultural Technology Management Agencies, Godda and the petitioner. The agreement with the petitioner was extended from time to time. Vide letter No. JSLPS/BMMU-Godda/624/2020-21 dated 17.12.2020 seeds of wheat, mustard and gram were received by Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS) in the Godda Block for distribution amongst the farmers. The said distribution programme was stopped by JSLPS vide letter dated 14.12.2020 and it was directed that remaining seeds and other materials be returned to the Block Agriculture Officer and Block Technology Manager. An inspection was conducted on 14.07.2021 by the Sub-Divisional Officer, Godda and the Assistant Registrar Cooperative Society-cum-District Cooperative Officer, Godda at Agriculture Technical Information Centre, Block Office Godda and allegedly certain discrepancies were found in storage register and distribution register. It was alleged that 4.47 quintals of gram seeds should have been in the custody of the Block Technology Manager, however, it was informed by the petitioner that the storage area did not have the seeds of any crop. Vide letter dated 17.07.2021, the Sub Divisional Officer, Godda submitted his enquiry report to the Deputy Commissioner, Godda and informed him about the inspection and suggested action to be taken against the petitioner and other related officers. The Deputy Commissioner, Godda, vide letter dated 22.07.2021 directed the District Agriculture Officer, Godda to issue show cause notice to the petitioner and other related officers. The District Agriculture Officer, Godda vide letter No.555 dated 31.07.2021 issued a show cause notice to the petitioner with respect to the aforesaid allegations and directed the petitioner to submit her reply within two days. Petitioner submitted her reply vide letter dated 04.08.2021 contending therein that receiving of 22.47 quintals of seeds was kept in the stock register, however, due to her engagement in other office related works, the same could not be maintained in the register. Among other contentions, it was also a contention of the petitioner that the seeds were distributed amongst the farmers in equal quantity.
*Rest of the document can be viewed at: (https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/ecourtindiaHC/cases/display_pdf.php?filename=zDLovBVSUw02H8XukOjXfCOoC8e9g6YodsfqgHS0O5vILv%2Br%2BfyUlonYGZSw09nb&caseno=WPC/1334/2022&cCode=1&cino=JHHC010096122022&state_code=7&appFlag=)
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
