HC directs Govt to allow disengaged employees in SWD to perform duties, pay salary

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Jan 25: High Court today directed the Social Welfare Department to allow the continuation of services of its employees who were disengaged by the Government last year, and directed to pay them the honorarium also.
The petitioners along with other 918 employees from Helpers to Supervisors posts working in the Social Welfare Department were disengaged by the Government in August last year, on the ground that they have been engaged beyond any competence by the officials from time to time.
Justice M Akram Chowdhary after issuing notice to the authorities for filing of their response to the plea of the petitioner-employees and directed for allowing them to continue in service and also directed for paying their honorarium.
That the petitioners have challenged the order 27-08-2021 issued by Respondent Social Welfare Department in terms of which it has been ordered to Mission Director ICDS J&K to disengage 918 Helpers to Supervisors with effect from 01-09-2021 as they have been engaged beyond any competence by various Officers/Officials from time to time. They have also challenged the communication of the Mission Director dated 28.09.2021 in terms whereof, all the District Programme Officers of the Jammu & Kashmir have been asked to disengage the helpers to supervisors.
Advocate T A Lone appearing for petitioners submitted before the court that they have not been disengaged by Mission Director by any separate order, and the petitioners having being engaged by competent officers, however, the petitioners are being conveyed by respondents that the petitioners are deemed to be disengaged under the said Order.
Court meantime asked the Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Social Welfare Department, Mission Director, ICDS, J&K, Deputy Director ICDS Kashmir, and the concerned District Programme Officers to file the objection to the contentions of the plea of these employees.