Government of the Punjab, Services & General Administration Department (Regulations Wing) issued a letter regarding regularization of contract employees recruited under rule 17-A.
As per Regulations Wing, S&GAD's aforesaid circular letter dated 29.10.2019, the services of all the employees appointed in terms of Rule 17-A of the Punjab Civil Servants (Appointment & Conditions of Service) Rules, 1974, were allowed to be made on regular basis. It was stated in that letter that in future all the appointments shall be made on regular basis. Accordingly, it was construed that the said direction was to be implemented prospectively. However, that view point was challenged in the Lahore High Court Lahore. The Honorable Court deemed regular employees with effect from the date of the initial appointments.
Accordingly, keeping in view the orders passed by Hon'ble Court dated 15.10.2020, the Regulations Wing, S&GAD initiated a summary for the Chief Minister on 21.10.2020 with the view that a circular letter may be issued with the direction to the departments to regularize the services of contract employees recruited under Rule 17-A of the Punjab Civil Servants (Appointment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 1974 from the date of their initial appointment/ induction into government service.
However, on the direction of the Chief Minister, Punjab the matter was placed before the Provincial Cabinet which in its 39th meeting held on 17.12.2020 considered the issue and decided as under
- "The Cabinet considered and approved the regulation of contract employees recruited under Rule 17-A of the Punjab Civil Servants ( Appointment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 1974 from the date of their initial appointment / induction into government service, as per judgement of Lahore High Court subject to recovery of 30% Social Security Benefit according to the mechanism framed by France Department"
