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Judgment
The Writ Petition is filed declaring the action of respondent No.2 in not implementing Memo No.MINR/94/2024-MI-G(2389607)-2, dated 17.05.2024, issued by the 1st respondent, as illegal and arbitrary.
Heard Mr.V.R.Manepalli, learned counsel for the petitioners, and Mr.S.Sharat Kumar, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services-II, appearing for respondents.
The respondents have filed their counter-affidavit stating that the agreement between the petitioners and respondents is a fixed time agreement, which ceases to hold good on completion of period and there is no commitment on either side to extend their agreement thereafter. The agreement period of petitioners ended on 31.03.2024 and was not extended further, basing on the need. The activities under APIIATP were curtailed by the Government from Rs.1,600 crores to Rs.720 crores, and many of the Contractors had requested pre-closure of the works. The World Bank, which has to provide loan to a tune of 70% of the project cost, informed to get the project closure report prepared by the Third Party Monitoring and Evaluation Agency. Hence, the services of the petitioners are not required for the project, and the project closing date is 31.10.2025. Hence, the question of continuation of the petitioners pursuant to the order of the 1st respondent does not arise.
The said counter-affidavit filed by respondent No.2 on behalf of respondent Nos.1 and 2. Contradicting the said contentions, no rejoinder is filed by the learned counsel for the petitioners.
As stated in the counter-affidavit, the project has been closed. Therefore, question of continuing the petitioners, who are stated to be contractual employees, does not arise. The agreement between the petitioners and respondents has been placed along with counter-affidavit. As the agreement itself is concluded in view of expiry of contract period, this Court does not find any force in the contention of the learned counsel for the petitioners.
Accordingly, the Writ Petition is dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs.
As a sequel, Interlocutory Applications pending, if any, shall stand closed.