STATE OF ORISSA vs ALL ORISSA FORESTRY EXT. OFF'R.ASS. &ORS

The Supreme Court addressed the status of Forestry Extension Officers (FEOs) in Orissa, who were recruited under a specific project funded by the Central Government. The Court held that FEOs, despite their qualifications and roles, do not constitute part of the regular forest service under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and thus are not entitled to equal pay or promotion channels as regular forest officers. The Court emphasized that the FEOs were project-based and their roles were distinct from those of regular forest service personnel, leading to the dismissal of their claims for equal treatment.