SCA/13766/2026 of CHAUHAN ASHOKKUMAR BHUDARBHAI Vs STATE OF GUJARAT on 29 September 2026

ORAL ORDER

The petitioners principally seek a declaration that their initial service rendered on ad hoc basis be treated as continuous with the service rendered by them pursuant to their regular appointments, for all purposes, including fixation of pay, leave, promotion, pension and all other consequential service benefits, together with arrears of pay and allowances.

At the outset, learned advocate appearing for the petitioners as well as the respondents, with a view to curtail the controversy and facilitate an expeditious resolution, have jointly suggested a workable mechanism, which is broadly acceptable to all concerned.

It is agreed that each of the petitioners shall approach the respective District Panchayat where he/she was last posted, within a period of 15 days from the date of receipt of this order, by furnishing all requisite particulars in the form of a checklist to facilitate verification of his/her claim. Upon receipt of the requisite details from the concerned petitioner, the respective District Panchayat shall verify the particulars so furnished and forward its proposal/recommendation, along with the relevant records, to the Panchayat Department of the State Government within a period of three months. Upon receipt of such proposals/recommendations from the concerned District Panchayats, the Panchayat Department shall examine the claims and extend the benefits to those petitioners whose cases are found to be covered by the principles laid down in Special Civil Application No.2213 of 2024 and allied matters. It is, however, clarified that if, upon examination of the factual matrix and the service particulars, the State Government finds that the case of any petitioner is distinguishable from the facts considered in Special Civil Application No.2213 of 2024 and allied matters, it shall be open to the State Government to take an appropriate decision in accordance with law. In such an eventuality, where the claim of any petitioner is not found to be covered by the aforesaid decision, the competent authority shall pass a reasoned order assigning specific reasons for such conclusion. The entire exercise of consideration and decision-making by the State Government shall be completed within a period of four months from the date of receipt of the proposals/recommendations from the respective District Panchayats. [3.1] It is further clarified that if the State Government finds that the claim of any petitioner is squarely covered by the decision rendered in Special Civil Application No.2213 of 2024 and allied matters, the consequential service benefits shall be extended to such petitioner, as expeditiously as possible and preferably within a period of four months thereafter.

With the aforesaid directions and observations, the petition stands disposed of accordingly.

Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the District Panchayat submits that he/she has received instructions to appear. The Registry shall accept his/her Vakalatnama. (ANIRUDDHA P. MAYEE, J.) SALIM/

Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge. Digitally signed by: MOHAMMAD SALIM(HC01108), STENO GR II, at High Court of Gujarat on 01/10/2026 16:55:52