The Bombay High Court decided that several workers from Nashik should be given permanent jobs. This decision came after a long fight in court where the workers said they were treated unfairly by the Forest Development Corporation.
On December 24, 2025, the Bombay High Court made a decision involving several appeals against a choice made by a judge in 2001. The case was about the Forest Development Corporation, Nashik, and several workers who worked as watchmen from 1977 to 1992. The workers said they were treated unfairly under a law meant to protect workers' rights in Maharashtra.
The workers, including Ramesh Patil and Suresh Deshmukh, argued that they worked continuously without breaks and had worked more than 240 days each year. They believed this meant they should be given permanent jobs and the benefits that come with them. They accused the Corporation of keeping them on temporary contracts on purpose to avoid giving them these rights.
"Ramesh Patil and Suresh Deshmukh were working with the Forest Development Corporation without any break in service since joining and had completed more than 240 days year after year."
The Forest Development Corporation argued that they were not a government department but a company under the Maharashtra Government. They said the workers were hired temporarily under different government programs, which did not promise permanent jobs. They claimed that making the workers permanent would lead to financial losses and was like giving jobs through the back door.
The Industrial Court first decided in favor of the workers, saying the Corporation had indeed treated them unfairly. The Single Judge agreed with this decision. The High Court, with Justices G. S. Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe, also agreed, emphasizing that the workers should be given permanent jobs because of their continuous service.
"The services of Ramesh Patil and Suresh Deshmukh were required to be engaged continuously year after year by the Forest Development Corporation."
The court mentioned several decisions by the Supreme Court, including one involving the Chief Conservator of Forests, which supported the workers' claims. The court emphasized that the nature of their work was permanent and not just based on temporary programs.
The High Court rejected the appeals by the Forest Development Corporation, supporting the workers' rights to permanent jobs. The court ordered that the workers be given all benefits as decided by the Industrial Tribunal within eight weeks.
This decision is a big win for the workers, ensuring job security and rightful recognition for their years of service.
"Ramesh Patil and Suresh Deshmukh shall be given all the benefits of the orders passed by the Industrial Tribunal."
The case highlights the importance of fair labor practices and the judiciary's role in upholding workers' rights.
Disclaimer: The names used in this report are fictitious and have been added for privacy reasons.
