THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH WP-9117-2018 (POORVA KSHETRA VIYUT METER VACHAK KALYAN SANGH DISTT. CHHINDWARA Vs MADHYA PRADESH STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD) Jabalpur, Dated : 24-04-2018 Mr. Sumit Kanojiya, learned counsel for the petitioners. The petitioner is association of Meter Readers working in Poorva Kshetra Vidyut Meter Vachak Kalyan Sangh, Chhindwara. The petitioner is registered association with registration No.05/26/01/11484/14. The members of the association are Meter Readers and also engaged in the distribution of the electricity bills issued by respondent No.2/company. According to the petitioner, respondent No.1 has framed a scheme for engaging the Meter Readers. Large number of appointments were made on contract basis. The said appointments are continued since last 10-12 years. Therefore, they have got adequate knowledge and experience in the field. Certain Meter Readers approached this Court individually by way of writ petitions. Their writ petitions have been disposed of with liberty to approach the Labour Court. The petitioner is praying for similar directions for their members. In view of the above, without entering into the merit of the case, the petition is disposed of with the direction to the petitioner to submit an appropriate application before the competent authority as well as the Labour Court, as the case may be, under the Industrial Dispute Act, as per law. It is settled law that one contract employee cannot be replaced by another contract employee but the respondents have a right to appoint a regular employee. Therefore, the Meter Readers who are already working in the establishment of respondents are permitted to continue till the regular appointments are made. In view of the aforesaid, petition stands disposed of. (VIVEK RUSIA) JUDGE High Court of Madhya Pradesh pnm High Court of Madhya Pradesh Digitally signed by POONAM LONDHE Date: 2018.04.26 01:15:30 -07'00'