CAT stays termination of Chandigarh govt college lectures’ services

The local Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal has directed the UT Education Department to maintain status quo with regard to the service conditions of all contract lectures of colleges as on July 16 this year till the next date of hearing. The Bench observed that prima facie, it appears that the respondents have exceeded the deputation quota and overreached the order dated June 4.

The tribunal has also directed the department to file a reply by the next date of hearing fixed on August 4. The order came on an application filed by teachers seeking stay on the termination letters dated July 17 issued to them.

They also prayed for issuing directions for not dispensing away with their services during the pendency of the original application. The applicants are working as Assistant Professors in government colleges here on a contractual basis.

They submitted that whereas the original application was pending adjudication and listed for July 18, the respondents (Education Department) issued orders dated July 17 whereby the services of the applicants have been terminated with immediate effect.

In furtherance of the letters dated December 4, 2024, and December 14, 2023, the respondents have invited applications for filling posts of Assistant Professors on deputation from the Punjab and Haryana vide letters dated July 9 and July 3 respectively.

They said the respondents have ordered the posting of 11 Assistant Professors who joined on deputation from the Haryana in government colleges here.

The applicants said they had been appointed as Assistant Professors on a contractual basis against the direct recruitment quota and are now being replaced by those who joined here on deputation. They claimed the termination orders had been passed without granting them an opportunity explain their case.

The tribunal order dated June 4 has been defied as the respondents have exceeded the deputation quota by ordering the appointment of staff on deputation, said the applicants.

The counsel for the respondents said no interim direction can be granted at this stage since the vested rights of the deputationists will be effected. The counsel further contended that the termination letters have already been issued, and the original application is rendered infructuous.

After hearing the arguments, the tribunal said it appears that the respondents have exceeded the deputation quota and overreached the order dated June 4 passed by this tribunal in the OA.

The tribunal is of the considered opinion that some interim protection is to be granted. Resultantly, ad interim, the respondents are directed to maintain status quo qua service conditions of all applicants as on July 16 till the next date of hearing.

Chandigarh