Demanding regularisation is not an employee's right, rules HC

 Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court made it clear that demanding regularisation of a job cannot be a legal right of employees, when the appointment orders clearly mentions that the services rendered by them would not count for regularization or for the purpose of seniority or eligibility for promotion.

Justice P. Madhavi Devi was dealing with a petition filed by three data entry operators working in women studies in higher education institution in the Centre for Women’s Studies, University of Hyderabad.

They were appointed under the scheme in 2016 on a consolidated salary basis. The university launched the ‘women studies’ scheme for only a limited period. The appointment letters clearly mentioned that the services shall be co-terminus with the scheme.

However, the scheme was discontinued in 2023 and the petitioners were terminated from services. Challenging the same, the petitioners approached the High Court for regularization and for reemployment directions.

After considering the case, the court found that the employees cannot claim regularization. However, the court directed the University to re-engage them as the scheme has been extended for one more year.