Due to promulgation of the Model Code of Conduct on January 8, 2022 by the Election Commission of India, it appears that further process has been stalled. Therefore, the HC on February 16 directed advocate general of Manipur, N Kumarjit to approach the Election Commission of India seeking the permission to proceed the matter.

However, it appears that the authorities were not even communicated to the authorities concerned by the office of the advocate general, Manipur, till February 19, 2022.

The letter from deputy secretary (social welfare), government of Manipur of February 26, 2022 to junior government advocate, attached to the office of the advocate general, Manipur, bears out this fact but does not indicate the date on which the Election authorities were addressed for necessary permission to regularize the services of the contractual staff in the Observation Homes in the state of Manipur, the HC stated.

While being a matter in public interest, involving the upkeep of Observation Homes for children in conflict with the law, the state and its law officers are expected to act with a little more care and caution, the apex court of the state stated. Needless to point out, all government counsel, including the advocate general, Manipur, are first and foremost officers of the court and owe a duty to maintain the dignity and decorum of the court. Unfortunately, the court found that it is utterly lacking presently, stated the HC order.

Further, the HC directed advocate general to ascertain from the Election authorities as to whether the requisite permission has been granted by the said date without fail. It may be mentioned that the state cabinet approved the proposal of fourteen contractual staff’s regularisation on December 7, 2016.