Setback for Kerala government; stay on regularisation of temporary employees

KOCHI: The High Court has stayed the government's move to regularise temporary employees who have been working in public institutions for more than ten years. Justice CP Mohammed Niyaz's action followed the delay in the government giving an explanation.

The High Court had earlier ruled that temporary employees should not be made permanent contrary to the Supreme Court orders. The interim order was filed in a sub-petition filed against the issuance of orders to make employees permanent again while this order was still in force. The court had asked the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit clarifying the government's position. The government did not respond, despite being given ample time on several occasions.

Violation of Supreme Court order

• The High Court had ordered in November last year not to regularise temporary employees without following the procedures prescribed by the Supreme Court
• The move was to regularise temporary employees in government/semi-government institutions without taking this into account
• A sub-petition was filed by Abdul Wahid, a native of Malappuram, claiming that this was in contempt of court. Advocate Navneet Krishnan appeared for the petitioner