- (1.) Heard counsel for the parties. Petitioner admittedly was under contractual engagement on the post of Procurement Officer under JNNURM, a centrally sponsored project, by the Urban Development Ministry. He was initially appointed for a period of three years on contract basis which was extended for one year. That engagement has not been renewed' by the respondents as per the impugned letter dated 14.11.2014 (Annexure-30) issued by the Urban Development Department addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Dhanbad Municipal Corporation, Dhanbad.
(2.) Counsel for the petitioner submits that similarly situated other persons have been granted extension of services vide Annexure-20 by order dated 13.6.2014 for a period up to 31.3.2015. It is also his case that Municipal Commissioner, Dhanbad Municipal Corporation, Dhanbad through letter dated 28.6.2014 to the Secretary, Urban Development Department (Annexure-23), made a recommendation that the services of the petitioner can be extended. Despite that, impugned letter has conveyed the decision of the Department that there is no necessity of giving extension to the petitioner beyond March 2014. However, according to the petitioner, it would appear from the impugned letter itself that the petitioner has discharged his duties till November 2014, as the order impugned is of the same date, where-after petitioner has been disengaged. He has represented before the Secretary, Urban Development Department for extension of his service like others and also for payment of his admissible contractual dues.
(3.) Counsel for the respondents submits that the engagement of the petitioner was on contract under the centrally sponsored project and after due consideration of letters written by the Chief Executive Officer, Dhanbad Municipal Corporation, Dhanbad, it has been decided that the services of the petitioner cannot be extended beyond March 2014. He therefore does not have a legal right for extension of his service. Learned counsel for the respondents however submits that so far as the claim for payment of dues of salary is concerned, the same can be considered by the competent authority, if it is so that the petitioner has been made to discharge his duties for the said period.;