#contractual service regularization

Himachal Pradesh High Court mandates regularization of contractual employees after six years of service, holding that departmental policy admitting parity with regular employees creates a binding legitimate expectation. The ruling reinforces the 'equal pay for equal work' principle, requiring consequential benefits without further delay.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court reaffirmed that contractual employees with over three years of continuous service are entitled to regularization under the Punjab Ad hoc Employees Welfare Act, 2016. The court directed authorities to issue reasoned orders within eight weeks, emphasizing binding precedents and legitimate expectations for similarly situated employees.

Himachal Pradesh High Court rules that a department’s prior admission in the Sant Ram case binds it to regularize a contractual Social Extension Officer’s services, enforcing retrospective pay and benefits. The judgment reinforces administrative estoppel, ensuring parity for similarly situated employees.

HP High Court rules that when the State admits a contractual employee's case mirrors a binding precedent, regularization with retroactive benefits is mandatory. The petitioner's six-year service was regularized with benefits dating back three years before filing, overriding pending SLP challenges.

Bombay HC rules that prolonged contractual service under PMGSY (over 10 years) creates an enforceable right to regularization, including back wages and consequential benefits. The judgment rejects artificial service breaks and underscores the state's obligation to absorb long-term contractual workers, impacting thousands of PMGSY employees across Maharashtra.