The Orissa High Court has dismissed the writ petition of Dr Shakti Prasad Das, Officiating Director of the Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (SVNIRTAR), Olatpur, Cuttack district seeking direction to the Government of India to extend his deputation as director for two more years.
Moreover, the court directed the Government to proceed for recruitment of a regular director as expeditiously as possible pursuant to the advertisement issued for the purpose.
The interim order passed earlier that there shall be no appointment of Director of SVNIRTAR without leave of the High Court was vacated. The court observed that Dr Das has no vested right to continue after his deputation of five years expired on January 27, 2021.
As per facts, Dr Das joined as SVNIRTAR Director on January 28, 2016 on deputation for a period of three years; and on completion of the three years, the Government extended it for a further two years. When the five-year deputation was over, he applied for a further extension of two years. However, the Government did not allow it and asked him to continue as Officiating Director till appointment of a Regular Director or till further order, whichever is earlier. Moreover, the Government issued an advertisement inviting applications for appointment of a Regular Director.
The court verdict has paved the way for recruitment of new Director of SVNIRTAR putting an end to prolonged uncertainties.
