Chronic Vacancies And Essential Service Needs Justify Regularization Of Contract Employees Despite Article 320: Madras HC

The Madras High Court upheld the Central Administrative Tribunal’s order to regularize contract Veterinary Assistant Surgeons in Puducherry, despite objections from the UPSC regarding Article 320 of the Constitution. The court found that chronic vacancies and essential service needs justified the regularization of these employees, who had served for nearly two decades. The court distinguished this case from the Umadevi judgment, noting that the appointments were not “backdoor” entries but were based on sanctioned posts and urgent needs. The court emphasized that the respondents’ duties were akin to those of regular appointees, and their services were essential for maintaining veterinary health in the Union Territory. The court’s decision highlights the importance of addressing chronic vacancies in essential services and ensuring the regularization of long-serving contract employees.