The Madhya Pradesh High Court has stepped into a long-standing service dispute, issuing formal notices to top officials of state cooperative bodies. This action comes in response to a petition filed by a retired employee who claims he was never promoted once during his entire four-decade career.
Four Decades of Service Without a Single Promotion
Triloki Nath Pandey, a resident of Jabalpur, began his service with the Jabalpur Milk Federation in April 1981 as a Cooperative Extension Assistant. Over the years, he was posted at various locations across the state. His service record remained unblemished, with no disciplinary actions against him. On the contrary, he received several letters of appreciation for his excellent work.
Despite this clean and commendable record, Pandey alleges he was overlooked for promotions throughout his tenure. He retired in July 2021 after completing 40 years of service, without ever having been promoted.
Legal Battle for Time-Bound Promotion Benefits
The core of Pandey's petition rests on the rules governing time-bound promotions. According to established norms, employees like him should have received promotions at regular intervals—specifically after 10, 20, 30, and 40 years of service. Pandey argues that the federation's failure to follow these rules has caused him significant financial loss.
He stated that he made multiple representations to senior officers regarding this issue, but his concerns were never addressed. Now, through the court, he is seeking payment of all the arrears of the monetary benefits he would have accrued from these missed promotions. He has also requested that the court order the payment with an interest of 20 percent.
Court's Action and Next Steps
A single-judge bench of the MP High Court has taken cognizance of the matter. The court has issued notices to the Managing Director of the MP State Cooperative Federation and the Jabalpur Milk Federation, directing them to respond to the allegations laid out in the petition.
The case highlights a critical issue of service justice and adherence to employment norms in state-run cooperatives. The next hearing in this matter is scheduled for January 27, where the respondents are expected to present their side of the story.
