State Of Orissa & Ors vs All Orissa Forestry Ext. Officers ...

The Supreme Court addressed the status of Forestry Extension Officers (FEOs) in Orissa under the Forest Act, 1972, emphasizing their qualifications and roles compared to traditional forest officers. The Court held that FEOs, despite being project-based and funded by the Central Government, should be recognized within the forest service hierarchy and entitled to equal pay and promotion opportunities as their counterparts in the Forest Department. The judgment underscored the need for equitable treatment of FEOs, given their specialized training and significant responsibilities in social forestry projects.