The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has issued notices to the Maharashtra government, Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Ltd. (MAHAGENCO), the Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur Division, the Collector, Chandrapur District, and the Chief Engineer of Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station on a petition filed by 85 project-affected persons (PAPs) whose lands were acquired for the thermal power project.
The petition filed through advocate Ashish Fule, alleged that despite working for years as advanced skilled trainees, they have been denied regular employment and statutory benefits such as provident fund, gratuity, medical coverage, and family welfare schemes.
A Division Bench of Justices Anil S. Kilor and Rajnish R. Vyas, while hearing the matter observed, “Issue notice to the respondents, returnable on December 5.”
Additional Government Pleader S.M. Ukey waived service of notice on behalf of the State.
Filed under Article 226 of the Constitution, the petition seeks immediate absorption of PAPs as regular employees and the quashing of an advertisement issued on December 26, 2024, for fresh recruitment. The petition argues that the advertisement violates the Government Resolution dated January 21, 1980, and the Maharashtra Project Affected Persons Rehabilitation Act, 1999, which mandate a minimum 5% quota and direct entry for PAPs in Class III and IV posts without competitive exams.
