1 2026:CGHC:22817 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPS No. 4158 of 2026 Smt. Neelu Sharma W/o Shatish Sharma, Aged About 56 Years Presently Working As Lecturer (Lb), At Girls Govt. Higher Secondary School, Khokhar, District Janjgir-Champa, (C.G.) ... Petitioner versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Its Secretary, Department Of School Education, Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nawa Raipur, Distt. Raipur (C.G.) 2 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Its Secretary, Department Of Panchayat And Rural Development, Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nawa Raipur,distt. Raipur (C.G.) 3 - Commissioner Cum Director Directorate Of Panchayat Atal Nagar Naya Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.) 4 - CEO Zila Panchayat District Janjgir- Champa, (C.G.) 5 - CEO Zila Panchayat District Bilaspur (C.G.) 6 - District Education Officer Janjgir- Champa District Janjgir-Champa (C.G.) SOURABH BHILWAR Digitally signed by SOURABH BHILWAR Date: 2026.05.14 18:54:53 +0530 2 ... Respondents (Cause title is taken from Case Information System) For Petitioner : Mr. Ujjwal Choubey, Advocate For Respondent/ State : Mr. Vivek Verma, Govt. Advocate (HON’BLE SHRI JUSTICE BIBHU DATTA GURU) Order on Board 14/05/2026 1. Petitioner has filed this petition seeking following reliefs :- (i) That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to call for the entire records in relates to the case of the petitioner from the possession of respondents for its kind perusal. (ii) That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to reckon the service of petitioner from initial date of appointment for calculating the qualifying service meant for the purpose of pension under the Chhattisgarh Civil Services Pension Rules of 1976, in the interest of justice. (iii) That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to direct the respondents for releasing the pension of petitioner by calculating her service from her initial date of appointment, in the interest of justice. (iv) That, any other order/relief which this Hon'ble Court may deem fit, proper and just in the facts and circumstances of the present case may also kindly be awarded to the petitioners in the ends of justice & 3 equity. 2. (i) At the outset, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the present matter is identical to the facts and grounds as involved in the WPS No. 2192 of 2026. (ii) Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner was earlier appointed as Shikshakarmi Grade-II/. Pursuant to Policy formulated by the State Govt. services of all the Shikshakarmis were absorbed in the School Education Department in the year 2018. Petitioner is presently working as Lecturer (Local Body) at Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School, Khokhra, District Janjgir- Champa. He submits that petitioner has filed this writ petition raising her grievance that petitioners No. 3 to 5 (in WPS No. 2192 of 2026) were not getting pension, as they have not completed 10 years of service, after absorption. Similarly, petitioners No. 1 & 2 (in WPS No. 2192 of 2026) were also apprehending that they will also not be given pension for want of completion of requisite period of service in the School Education Department. He submits that similarly situated persons have filed writ petitions bearing WPS No.777 of 2021 and other connected matters, which came up for hearing before coordinate Bench of this Court, which was disposed of directing respondents to consider claim of petitioners based on observation made in the order and therefore this writ petition may also be disposed of in terms of order passed in WPS No.777 of 2021 and other connected matters. 3. Learned counsel for the State submits that he is not disputing the submission of learned counsel for the petitioner to the extent of 4 disposal of WPS No.777 of 2021. He however submits that petitioner has filed this writ petition with delay. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that there is no delay in filing of writ petition. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and also perused the documents annexed along with this writ petition. 6. WPS No.777 of 2021 and other connected matters was disposed of on 17.02.2026 observing thus: "47. The State Government is accordingly expected to take a conscious, reasoned and categorical decision on the issue, including the question as to whether and to what extent the service rendered by the petitioners as Shikshakarmis prior to absorption in the School Education Department merits consideration for pensionary purposes, including the requirement of completion of ten years of qualifying service from 01.07.2018. Such decision shall be finalized and communicated via a speaking order within a strict period of 120 days from the date of receipt of this order. It is expected that authorities would consider the observations made herein above. 48. Needless to observe that any such decision shall be informed by relevant considerations, shall eschew arbitrariness, and shall conform to the constitutional guarantees of fairness, non-discrimination, and 5 proportionality." 7. Considering the submission of learned counsel for the parties, this writ petition is also disposed of in terms of order dated 17.02.2026 passed in WPS No.777 of 2021 and other connected matters. Sd/- (BIBHU DATTA GURU) JUDGE $. Bhilwar