Gauhati HC stays termination of 2581 Manipur govt employees

IMPHAL, March 29: In a significant ruling, the Gauhati High Court Imphal Bench has suspended the termination of 2581 state government employees, who were appointed after the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Centre and the state government. In his order which was passed on Tuesday, Justice JN Sharma ruled that "those persons were earlier appointed on ad hoc basis and thereafter their services were regularised.. now the authority cannot terminate their services without following the due process of law. The petitioners shall be allowed to continue in service." Senior advocate of the Gauhati High Court Hijam Nabakumar represented the embittered employees while advocate, Nimaichand presented the case on behalf of the respondents. The court also directed the state government to submit all the records and documents related to the interim order passed by it. Meanwhile, it is reliably learnt that soon after receiving the High Court's order, Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam convened an in camera meeting with some of his cabinet colleagues in his office chamber here on Tuesday evening. As an outcome of the dealing a four-member committee headed by the chief secretary as its chairman was formed to further review the state cabinet's decision. The committee will come into force from Wednesday an order issued by the under secretary (finance) or Tuesday evening, said.