WP(C)/7299/2025 of MISS PURNIMA DHAR Vs THE STATE OF ASSAM AND 7 ORS on 19 May 2026

ORDER

20.05.2026 Heard Mr. A. Deka, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Ms. B Shoye appearing on behalf of Mr. J. Chutia, learned counsel for the respondents.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the petitioner had joined the Howraghat I.C.D.S. Project, Karbi Anglong, in the year 1985, after undergoing a process of interview. The petitioner was thereafter called to participate in the interview being conducted for the post of Supervisor in the same I.C.D.S. Project by an office order dated 11.01.2000. By the order dated 14.06.2011, the petitioner was temporarily engaged on a contractual basis as a supervisor against the sanctioned vacant post in the Lumbajong I.C.D.S. Project, Manja. The petitioner retired on 31.10.2025. The petitioner thereafter submitted several representations for the grant of service benefits on her retirement, and on the same not being made available to her, she has approached this Court by filing this writ petition.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the case of the petitioner would be covered by the order dated 23.03.2022, passed in WP(C) No. 1999/2022, wherein this Court had, with regard to a similarly situated candidate, directed the respondent authorities to prepare a pension proposal by taking into account the service rendered by the petitioner in the said case as an Anganwadi worker and thereafter, submit the papers to the office of the Accountant General for final approval and payment of pension, if the petitioner therein had already completed 20 years of service, by taking into account the period of service rendered as an Anganwadi worker as qualifying service.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the grievance of the petitioner, for the present, can be redressed by directing the respondent authorities to take into account the service record of the petitioner and thereafter, evaluate whether the petitioner is similarly situated as the petitioner in WP(C) No. 1999/2022 and thereafter, conclude the entitlement of the petitioner to pensionary benefits. He prays that the respondents may be given a time frame within which the aforesaid decision may be taken and the petitioner may be granted the liberty to approach this Court again, if the decision falls against her.

5. The learned counsel for the respondents has not objected to the aforesaid proposal made by the learned counsel for the petitioner.

6. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of, directing the respondent authorities to take into account the service records of the petitioner, by requiring the petitioner to submit all necessary details regarding her service before the Project Officer, Lumbajong ICDS Project, Manja, who shall thereafter take immediate steps to forward the service records to the appropriate authority to decide the entitlement of the petitioner to the pensionary benefits, by keeping in view the submission of the petitioner that she is similarly situated as the petitioner in WP(C) No. 199/2022. The authorities shall also take into account the letter dated 18.11.2025, issued by the CDPO Lumbajong ICDS Project, Manja, Karbi Anglong, to the Program Officer, Divisional ICDS Cell, Diphu, whereby it has been stated that the petitioner had been serving as Supervisor since 13.06.2011 and was regularized on 05.02.2021. The entire process of consideration of the case of the petitioner shall be completed within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order. The petitioner would be at liberty to approach this Court again, in the event the decision is not in her favor.

7. This petition is accordingly disposed of. No other as to costs.

JUDGE Comparing Assistant