Union of
India & Ors. Vs. S.Vettu Perumal [2010] INSC 171 (25 January 2010)
Judgment
CIVIL
APPELLATE JURISDICTION CIVIL APPEAL NO. 963 OF 2010 [Arising out of SLP(C)
No.11095/2009] UNION OF INDIA & ORS .......APPELLANT(S) Versus
O R D E R
1.
Leave granted. Heard the parties.
2.
The respondent was provisionally appointed as Extra Departmental
Messenger in the Telegraph branch ofPost Office, Nazareth on 8.1.1996. When the
Telecom Centre was opened at Nazareth on 16.8.1996, the respondent was engaged
as a Coolie Messenger on contract basis and charges were paid to him for
delivery of telegrams on hourly basis at the rates prescribed by the
Department. He was neither an employee on full-time basis nor on a salary or
daily wages.
The
respondent continued as Coolie Messenger on contract basis for nearly a decade.
3.
On 21.3.2006, a notification was issued by the BSNL inviting bids
for delivery of telegrams on work contract basis. The respondent submitted his
bid of Rs.10/- per delivery of telegram. The appellant found that the charges
for delivery of telegram nearby Tuticorin was only Rs.3/- per telegram and
compared to it the quotation of respondent was very high. He was, therefore,
invited for a negotiation. He did not turn up. The contract was, therefore,
awarded to someone else. Feeling aggrieved, the respondent filed a writ
petition in the Madras High Court for quashing the tender notification dated
21.3.2006 and for a direction to the Department to 'reinstate' him with all
consequential benefits.
4.
A learned single Judge of the High Court allowed the said petition
by order dated 25.1.2007 (modified on 7.6.2007) directing the appellants to
consider the case of the respondent by absorption in any future vacancy.
Feeling aggrieved, the appellants filed a writ appeal which was dismissed by
the Division Bench of the High Court on 1.12.2008. The said order is challenged
in this appeal by special leave.
5.
The learned single Judge has categorically recorded a finding that
the respondent was working only on contract basis and payment was made on
hourly basis. If that is so, the respondent could not be considered as an
'employee' either on daily-wage or a salary. In fact, the respondent
participated in the tender process where he was required to quote the minimum
charges for delivery of telegrams and
only when
his bid was not accepted, he chose to approach the High Court praying for
absorption. Having regard to the principles laid down in Secretary, State of
Karnataka regularisation or absorption of Coolie Messenger working on contract
basis paid on hourly basis does not arise.
6.
Therefore, we allow this appeal, set aside the impugned orders of
the learned single Judge affirmed by the Division Bench. This will not come in
the way of respondent participating in future tender processes or being
considered under any scheme.
.........................J.( R.V. RAVEENDRAN )
.........................J.
New Delhi;
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