Merugolu Benhar Vs the State of Ap

MARRIVADA KANAKA DURGA KOTESWARAMMA,, W/O. DARSIMARUTHI SUBRAHMANYAM, AGED 47 YEARS, R/O. KORISAPADU GP, KORISAPDU MANDAL, BAPATIA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶14

BATTULA BHAGYA RAJU,, S/O. SURYAPRAKASA RAO, AGED 40 YEARS, R/O. PUNURUGP, YADDANAPUDI MANDAL, BAPATIA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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PALLA NAGESWARARAO,, S/O. OBAIAH, AGED 44 YEARS, R/O. CHAKRAYAPALEMGP, ADDANKI MANDAL, BAPATIA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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BODDU KALYANI,, W/O. GUNTURRU RAMAMURTHY, AGED 38 YEARS R/O. DHARMAVARAMGP, ADDANKI

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W.P.No.11558 of 2024

MANDAL, BAPATIA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶21

BUDATIMALLIKHARJUNARAO,, S/O. RAMADASU, AGED 49 YEARS, R/O. JARLAPALEMGP, ADDANKI MANDAL, BAPATIA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶22

SHAIK MAHABOOB BASHA, , S/O. MASTAN VALI, AGED 46 YEARS, R/O. WEST NAYUDUPALEM GP, KURICHEDU MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶23

KONDRUVENKATRAO,, S/O. SANTHAIAH, AGED 45 YEARS, R/O. BAYYAVARAMGP, KURICHEDU MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶24

KAMA JAGAN MOHAN REDDY,, S/O. VEERA REDDY, AGED 47 YEARS, R/O. WEST VEERAYAPALEM GP, KURICHEDU MANDAL PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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SURABHI DAVEEDU,, S/O. ANJAIAH, AGED 50 YEARS, R/O. KOCHERLA KOTA GP, DONAKONDA MANDAL PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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PANEMSHAMEELA BEGUM,, W/O. MASTAN SAHEB, AGED 38 YEARS, R/O. BOPPIDIVARI PALEM GP, MUNDLAMUR MANDAL PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶27

CHAKKA THIRUPATHI,, S/O. NARASAIAH, AGED 41 YEARS, R/O. PAMULUPADUGP, PODILI MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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ATCHUTHA ADILAKSHMI DEVI,, W/O. VENKATESWARARAO, AGED 47 YEARS, R/O. MAREDDYPALLYGP, DARSI MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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. PETTELA SANKAR,, S/O. VENKATESWARLU, AGED 38 YEARS, R/O. GONUGUNTAGP, CHIMAKURTHI

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MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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NUNEUJWAL PRASANNA KUMAR,, S/O. SUVARNA RAJU, AGED 48 YEARS, R/O. EAST VEERAYL PALLEM GP, DARSI MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶34

PULIVARTHI JYOTSNA,, W/O. SRINIVASARAO, AGED 41 YEARS, R/O. WEST GANGAVARAMGP, KURICHEDU MANDAL PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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SHAIK JANI BEGAM,, W/O. KHAJA VALI, AGED 44 YEARS, R/O. MUPPAVARAM GP, J. PAGALURU, BAPATIA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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CHERUKURI SRINU,, S/O. SILUVARAJU, AGED 43 YEARS, R/O. YADDANAPUDIGP, YADDANAPUDI MANDAL BAPATIA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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KATTA JYOSTNA,, W/O. LUTHER, AGED 44 YEARS, R/O. DAGGUBADU GP, KARAMCHEDU MANDAL, BAPATIA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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SURATHANI NAGA JYOTHI,, W/O. VENKATA SUBBARAO, AGED 42 YEARS, R/O. BODAVADA MANDAGUNTA GP, PARCHURU MANDAL, BAPATIA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶39

BODDAPATI VENUGOPAL, S/O. MALLIKARJUNARAO, AGED 43 YEARS, R/O. NUJELLAPALLI GP, MUNDLAMUR MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶40

DINTAKURTHI ASHALAKSHMI, W/O. RAVI KUMAR, AGED 43 YEARS, R/O. MADDIPADU GP, MADDIPADU MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶41

PAPASANI GURUVRADHANA, S/O. KILANVENUGOPALRAO, AGED 42 YEARS, R/O.

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W.P.No.11558 of 2024

EDUGUNDLAPADU GP, MADDIIPADU MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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KOSURI KIRAN KUMAR, S/O. NAGESWARARAO, AGED 39 YEARS, R/O. ETHAMUKKALA GP, KOTHAPATNAM MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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EDUPALLISUNEETHA, W/O. K ADISESHARAO, AGED 43 YEARS, R/O. KOTHAPATNAM GP, KOTHAPATNAM MANDAL PRAKAAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶48

ROMPICHERLA SYDULU,, S/O. RAHMATHULLA, AGED 44 YEARS, R/O. WOOLLAPALAM GP, SINGARAYA KONDA MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶49

UPPUTURI SUBRAHMANYAM,, S/O. KONDAIAH, AGED 41 YEARS, R/O. SIGARABOTLA PALAM GP, PONNALUR MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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MEESALA HANUMANTHARAO,, S/O. RAMAIAH,AGED 39 YEARS, R/O. MOPADU GP KUNDUKUR MANDAL, S P S R NELLORE DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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NALAMALA SUDHAKARA RAO,, S/O. ANKULU, AGED 41 YEARS, R/O. KOVURU GP, KANDUKUR MANDAL, S P S R NELLORE DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶52

BIRAKAYALA RAMANAMMA,, W/O. SIDDAIAH, AGED 43 YEARS, R/O. CHERUKURU GP, PONNALURU, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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KALIDASU GEETHA,, W/O. NAGA RAJA SEKHAR, AGED 43 YEARS, R/O. CHATHUKUPADU GP, JARUGUMALLI MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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MUNAGAPATI SREE KANTH,, S/O. BABU RAO, AGED 43 YEARS, R/O. RAVULAKOLLU GP, PONNALURU

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W.P.No.11558 of 2024

MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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PULIGADDA RAJESH,, S/O. PULIGADDA MASTAN, AGED 48 YEARS, R/O. CHEERLADINNE GP, KANIGIRI MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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ANUPARTHI NAGESWARARAO,, S/O. BODIAH, AGED 42 YEARS, R/O. PERAYAPALEM GP, ADDANKI MANDAL, BAPATLA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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KALLURU CHENCHU KRISHNAIAH,, S/O. KALLURUSUBBA REDDY, AGED 46 YEARS, R/O. SRIKOLANU GP, A S PETA MANDALAM, NELLORE DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶62

PERAMESTTY GURAVAIAH,, S/O. PERAMESETTY RADHA KRISHNAIAH,AGED 44 YEARS, R/O. CHILLAMURU PANCHAYAT GP, CHILTAMURU MANDAL, TIRUPATHI DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶63

. BANKA SREENIVASULU REDDY,, S/O. BANKA SUBBA REDDY, AGED 46 YEARS, R/O. CHAKALI KONDA GP, VIUTAMULU MANADAL, NELLORE DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

¶64

GNANAM SAMUEL JOSTHUA,, S/O. GNANMJASHUVA, AGED 42 YEARS, R/O. BEEMULAVARIPALEM PANCHAYAT GP, TADA MANDAL, TIRUPATHI DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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THALAKOLA RADHA KUMARI,, W/O. PARRIKAMALAKAR, AGED 46YEARS, R/O. ALAGANIPADU PANCHAYAT GP, VIDAVALUR MANDAL, SPSR NELLORE DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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KAPULURU VASUDEVA RAO,, S/O. KAPULURU NARAYANA,AGED 46 YEARS, R/O. BRAHMADEVI PANCHAYAT GP, MUTHUKORU MANDAL NELLORE

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DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH. THE WRIT PETITION AS AGAINST THE PETITIONERS OTHER THAN 1,9,10 AND 16 IS DISMISSED AS WITHDRAWN AS PER C.O. DT 20.12.2025 VIDE IA NO.5/2025

¶71

...PETITIONER(S)

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AND

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THE STATE OF AP, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, PANCHAYAT RAJ AND RURAL EMPLOYMENT, A.P. SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI, GUNTUR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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THE COMMISSIONER, PANCHAYAT RAJ AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, TADEPALLI, GUNTUR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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KALANUKONTA VENKATESWARA RAO, S/O VENKAT RAO D.NO. 13-58 B.C COLONY BADEPURAM ROAD, TADIKONDA (P AND M), GUNTUR DIST. - 522236.

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KATAKAM SIVARAM, S/O VENKATESWARLU FLAT.NO. 224 E-BLOCK, JANACHIT ANYA HAPPY HOMES RATNAGIRI NAGAR, PALAKALURU ROAD, GUNTUR - 522006.

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VARAGANI SIVANAGESWARA RAO, S/O PEDAVEERA SWAMI KAKARLA HEIGHTS FLAT.NO 101 DOOR.NO 35-159, VASANTHARAYAPURAM, GUNTUR - 522002.

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ADDAGADA VENKATESWARLU, S/O CHINA BRAHAMAIAH SRI NILAYAM APARTMENT FLAT NO 301, V.V NAGAR, KOTHAPETA, VETAPALEM MANDAL, BAPATLA DIST. - 523157.

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ANISETTY ADINARAYANA, S/O CHINA MASTANAIAH DOOR NO 5-124/1, SAIBABA TEMPLE KROSURU

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VILLAGE, KROSURU MANDAL, PALNADU DIST. - 522410.

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MANDAPATI VENKATA REDDY, S/O RAMA CHANDRA REDDY DOOR.NO 53-8-1114/25 SAIBABA TEMPLE ROAD, 5TH LINE R.T.C COLONY, GUNTUR - 522001

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KAKARLA LAZARU, S/O GURAVAIAH NEAR GANGALAMMA TEMPLE PRATHIPADU (PO AND M), GUNTUR DIST. - 522019

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MUDRABOINA VENKATRAYUDU, S/O SUBBARAO DOOR.NO 5-38/1, ANKAMMA THALLI TEMPLE, PERECHERLA, MEDUKONDURU MANDAL, GUNTUR DIST.

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YARRAMMANENI OMKARAMMA, S/O SAMBAIAH DOOR. NO 8-40, ANGALAKUDURU, TENALI MANDAL, GUNTUR DIST.

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MUDRABOINA GOPI, S/O ADINARAYANA DOOR NO 2-52 JAGADAGUNTAPALEM, TENALI MANDAL, GUNTUR DIST - 522201.

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JONNALAGADDA SRIVIDYA, D/O. SURESH KUMAR MUTYALA REDDY NAGAR, MAIN ROAD, OPP. AMMA SWEETS, NEAR MEDICAL HOSTEL NAGARALA, GUNTUR - 522034.

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THALATHOTI PRUDHVIRAJU, S/O VIJAYA KUMAR DOOR NO 1-147, AMBETHKAR NAGAR, GUNASAPUDI (POST), CHINAGANJAM MANDAL, BAPATLA DIST - 523181.

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YADLA RAMBABU, S/O KISTAIAH DOOR NO 1067/1, OPP. POLICE STATION, PEDANANDIPADU (V AND M), GUNTUR DIST. - 522235.

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VEERNAPU VIJAYA VARDHINI, D/O DAVID PAUL 22-4-152, BHARATH PETA 3RD LINE GUNTUR-2 - 522002.

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MUSUNURU RAJARAM, S/O RADHA KRISHNAMURTHY DOOR NO 2-171, PEDAVADLAPUDI, MANGALAGIRI MANDAL, GUNTUR DIST RESPONDENT NOS. 3 TO 17 IMPLEADED AS PER COURT ORDER DATED 0108-2024 VIDE I.A.NO. 2 OF 2024 IN WP NO. 11558 OF 2024.

¶96

...RESPONDENT(S):

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Counsel for the Petitioner(S):

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1.K ANJANA RAMA KAMESWARI

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2.KASA JAGANMOHAN REDDY

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3.JADA SRAVAN KUMAR

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Counsel for the Respondent(S):

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1.GP FOR SERVICES IV

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2.MANOJ KUMAR BETHAPUDI

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The Court made the following:

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W.P.No.11558 of 2024

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE D.RAMESH

¶109

WRIT PETITION No.11558 of 2024

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ORDER:

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This writ petition is filed declaring the action of the 2^nd respondent in issuing proceedings dated 15.03.2024 effecting promotions to the post of Panchayat Secretary Grade-II, as illegal, arbitrary and violative of principles of natural justice.

¶112

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners; the learned Government Pleader appearing for respondent Nos.1 and 2; Sri Manoj Kumar Bethapudi, the learned counsel appearing for respondent Nos.3 to 17; Sri G.V.Shivaji, the learned counsel appearing for impleaded respondent Nos.18 to 22 and Sri Narra Srinivasa Rao, the learned counsel appearing for impleaded respondent Nos.23 to 37.

¶113

Initially, the writ petition was filed by 41 persons. Subsequently, vide order dated 20.12.2025, almost all the petitioners have withdrawn the writ petition, except petitioner Nos.1, 9, 10 and 16. On perusal of the affidavit, the main contention and grievance of the petitioners is that they were appointed as Panchayat Secretaries Grade-IV and subsequently,

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they were promoted to Grade-III in the year 2018 in Zone-III. Since Panchayat Secretary Grade-III is a District cadre post, the respondent authorities, without preparing the seniority list of Panchayat Secretaries Grade-III, straightaway issued the impugned proceedings on 15.03.2024 effecting promotions to the post of Panchayat Secretary Grade-II. On perusal of the affidavit and the grounds raised therein, the core contention raised by the petitioners is that without having final seniority list of Panchayat Secretaries Grade-III, the respondent authorities ought not to have effected the promotions to Panchayat Secretaries Grade-II, which is contrary to rules.

¶118

Based on the above contentions, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners has mainly relied on the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Subordinate Service Rules (for short, „the Rules‟) framed in G.O.Ms.No.84, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development (Mdl.II) Department, dated 24.02.2010, wherein Panchayat Secretary Grade-II and Panchayat Secretary Grade-III were included in Class-A supervisory posts. The method of appointment and the appointing authority are read as below:

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¶121

S.No. (1)	Category (2)	Feeder Categories (3)	Appointing Authority (4)
1.	Panchayat Secretary Grade-I	By promotion from the category of Panchayat Secretary Grade-II	Commission of Panchayat Raj and Rural Employment
2.	Panchayat Secretary Grade-II	1. By promotion from the category of Panchayat Secretary Grade- III. 2.Junior Assistant of District Panchayat Officer/Divisional Panchayat Office units. 3.Junior Assistants/Junior Assistant-cum-Bill Collectors of Gram Panchayats. 4.Sanitary Inspector Grade-I	Commission of Panchayat Raj and Rural Employment
3.	Panchayat Secretary Grade- III	1. By promotion from the category of Panchayat Secretary Grade-IV. 2. Bill Collector.	District Collector

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In the said Rules, Sl.No.3 pertains to the post of Panchayat

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Secretary Grade-III. The Annexure to the said G.O. describes that

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the post of Panchayat Secretary Grade-II shall be filled by promotion from the category of Panchayat Secretary Grade-III; by

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promotion from the category of Junior Assistants/Junior Assistantcum-Bill Collectors of Gram Panchayats; appointment by transfer from the category of Junior Assistant of District Panchayat Officer/Divisional Panchayat Office units and by promotion from the category of Sanitary Inspector Grade-I. According to the Rules, candidates for appointment to the post of Panchayat Secretary Grade-IV must have passed the Accounts Test for Local Body Employees paper-I and II.

¶129

Based on the Rules, the authorities initially have prepared a separate seniority list. After finalizing the seniority list, based on the eligibility and qualifications prescribed in Annexure-I, the respondents authorities are required to prepare an eligibility list and only thereafter effect promotions to the post of Panchayat Secretary Grade-II. However, in the instant case, without following the said procedure and without finalizing the seniority list of Pachayat Secretaries Grade-III, the respondents have effected the promotions through the impugned order dated 15.03.2024. Hence, the same is contrary to the Rules.

¶130

Considering the material and submissions, this Court has passed the following interim orders on 10.05.2024:

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“Heard Sri Varun Byreddy, Learned Counsel for the Writ Petitioners and Sri Y.B.Ramesh, Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services-IV.

¶135

Sri Y.B.Ramesh, Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services-IV has furnished Written Instruction issued by the Commissioner of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development.

¶136

The said Written Instruction is taken on record. This Written Instruction would indicate that a Provisional Seniority List was communicated by the District Collector, who is the appointing authority, which was confirmed at district level and submitted to the Office of the Commissioner. It also states that based on the said list the Inter-Se Seniority List Zone-III was approved for 476 candidates.

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Para No.2 of the Written Instruction reads as under:

¶138

“It is humbly submitted that the provisional seniority was communicated by the District Collector who is the appointing authority and confirmed at District Level and submitted to the Office of Commissioner, PR&RD. Basing on the said lists, the Inter- Se Seniority list of zone-III was approved for 476 Candidates (in that Guntur-124, Prakasam-195 and SPSR Nellore -157) on 05.02.2024 without disturbing their District Seniority which was already confirmed by the District Collectors.”

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The said Written Instruction does not indicate whether the Provisional Seniority List was communicated to the stake holders and the objections were called for or not at any stage. It is a settled law that the Provisional List which is prepared by the Official Respondents shall mandatorily be conveyed to all the stake holders and call for the objections. On receipt of the objections, the Official Respondents have to consider the said objections and issue Proceedings and thereafter issue the final Seniority List.

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From above Instruction, it appears to this Court that the Official Respondents have not carried out any such exercise. This apart, Sri Varun Byreddy, Learned Counsel for the Writ Petitioners would submit that the election code had come into force from 16.03.2024 whereas the Impugned Order was issued at 10.51 P.M. on 15.03.2024 as seen from Page No.23 of the Paper Book. The Annexure No.1 to the Impugned Order also does not indicate that this is a Provisional Seniority List, thereby giving a clear appearance that it is a final Seniority List.

¶144

In this view of the matter, the Impugned Proceeding bearing Proceedings No.870788/CPR&RD/B3/2019, dated 15.03.2024 (Ex.P.1) and the consequential List is suspended until further Orders.

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Tag this Writ Petition with W.P.No.11142 of 2024 and list on 01.07.2024.”

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The Junior Assistants working in Gram Panchayats, who are affected by virtue of the above orders, have filed an implead petition along with a petition to modify the interim order dated 10.05.2024. The said interim applications were considered and the following orders were passed on 10.12.2024 modifying the earlier orders:

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“Heard Sri V.K.Naidu, learned counsel representing Sri Varun Byreddy, learned counsel for the petitioner, Sri R.S.Manidhar Pingali, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services for respondents 1 & 2 and Sri M.Vijay Kumar, learned Senior counsel assisted by Sri Manoj Kumar Bethapudi for respondents 3 to 17.

¶151

Assailing the proceedings vide No.870788/CPR&RD/B3/2019 dated 15.03.2024 issued by the 2^nd respondent, the above writ petition is filed.

¶152

On 10.05.2024, a Co-Ordinate Bench of this court suspended the proceedings impugned until further orders based upon the instructions submitted by the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services. While suspending the proceedings, it was observed that the official respondents have not carried out the exercise i.e. communication of provisional seniority list to all the stakeholders calling for objections.

¶153

By the proceedings impugned, promotions were affected to the cadre of Panchayat Secretary Grade-II from

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feeder category 1) Junior Assistants and Junior Assistantcum-Bill Collectors working in Gram Panchayats; 2) Junior Assistants working in DPO and DLPO unit and 3) Sanitary Inspectors, Grade-I in Zone-III and Panchayat Secretaries Grade-III

¶158

The writ petitioners are Panchayat Secretaries Grade-III.

¶159

Sri V.K.Naidu, learned counsel would submit that the proceedings impugned were issued at 10.51 PM on 15.03.2024 without therebeing any final seniority list. Regarding the integrated seniority list, there is no contention in the writ affidavit.

¶160

In the counter-affidavit filed by the 2^nd respondent, it was pleaded that Panchayat Secretary Grade-III is a District level post and the District Collector is the appointing authority. A provisional Seniority list was prepared, objections were called from all stake holders and thereafter confirmed / final Seniority list was prepared. Some other employees filed objections and they were considered.

¶161

In Para No.5 of the counter-affidavit, it was pleaded that in respect of Prakasam District, provisional seniority list was communicated to the stake holders on 10.11.2022 and objections if any, received were disposed of and confirmed Seniority list was prepared on 07.01.2023. Thereafter, integrated seniority list was prepared for 476 candidates (Guntur-124, Prakasam-195 and SPSR Nellore-157) on 05.02.2024 without disturbing their original Seniority list.

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Respondents 3 to 17 filed a separate counteraffidavit. Respondents 3 to 17 belonged to Junior Assistants / Junior Assistants-cum-Bill Collectors working in Gram Panchayat. Along with the counter-affidavit, interse Seniority list in the cadre of Panchayat Secretary Grade-III, prepared by the Commissioner, was filed

¶166

Thus, the contention of the petitioners, that without calling for objections regarding provisional seniority list, promotions were affected prima facie, is not tenable. The respondent authorities, as seen, have followed the procedure and prepared seniority list, issued proceedings impugned in the writ petition affecting the promotions.

¶167

Suspending the proceedings impugned when the promotion was affected from four different feeder categories, without impleading the affected parties, prima facie , is unwarranted.

¶168

The contention of the learned counsel for the petitioners about malice is to be examined in the main writ petition. Regarding the communication of interse Seniority list in the cadre of Panchayat Secretary Grade-III need to be clarified by the Government.

¶169

Learned counsel for the petitioners would contend that if other categories of employees are allowed to promote, the petitioners‟ Seniority list will be affected.

¶170

Given the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the submission of learned counsel for the petitioners, this Court deems it appropriate to modify the

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order dated 10.05.2024 passed by Co-Ordinate Bench of this Court.

¶175

Accordingly, the order dated 10.05.2024 is modified as follows:

¶176

The respondent authorities shall affect the promotions other than Panchayat Secretary Grade-III in pursuance of order impugned in writ petition. Appropriate orders regarding Seniority list of the employees in the cadre of Panchayat Secretary Grade-III will be passed after hearing further.

¶177

List the matter on 07.01.2025.

¶178

Aggrieved by the said orders, the writ petitioners have preferred an intra-court appeal and the same was numbered as W.A.No.1054 of 2024. Initially, in the writ appeal, interim orders were granted on 21.12.2024. After hearing, the said writ appeal was disposed of on 06.10.2025 with the following observations:

¶179

“6. This appeal is filed against the interim order passed by a learned Single Judge on 10.12.2024 and the main writ petition is still pending. As per the interim direction passed by a Coordinate Division Bench of this Court dated 21.12.2024, the official respondents have to place the final seniority list/promotion list before the learned Single Judge before effecting promotions by following the directions issued in the said order. However, as on today in the light

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of the status quo orders passed by this Court on 09.05.2025, all proceedings are stalled.

¶184

In our view, it will cause irreparable loss to the writ petitioners and the unofficial respondents in this writ petition. Instead of keeping this issue pending for years together, it is appropriate to put an end to this litigation by the appropriate Court, as the main writ petition is pending with the learned Single Judge. In our view, it is reasonable and appropriate to request the learned Single Judge to dispose of the writ petition itself on merits, in accordance with law, after giving opportunity to all the parties, as expeditiously as possible, in the interest of both parties.

¶185

In view of the same, this Writ Appeal is disposed of, requesting the learned Single Judge to dispose of the Writ Petition itself, as expeditiously as possible, in accordance with law.14

¶186

Status quo order was passed by a Coordinate Division Bench of this Court on 09.05.2025 in this Writ Appeal. The learned Single Judge is at liberty to pass appropriate orders to continue the status quo orders after hearing both parties, till disposal of the writ petition.”

¶187

While considering the final orders in the writ appeal, this

¶188

Court has mainly considered the core issue involved in the writ petition. As contended by the learned counsel for the petitioners, whether the respondent authorities have issued the impugned proceedings on 15.03.2024 without preparing the category-wise

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seniority list and without preparing the integrated list based on the eligibility prescribed in G.O.Ms.No.84, dated 24.02.2010.

¶193

Learned counsel for the petitioners vehemently contended that the respondent authorities have not prepared any seniority list pertaining to Panchayat Secretaries Grade-III of Zone-III and that they have neither communicated any provisional seniority list calling for objections nor considered the objections and finalised the seniority list.

¶194

On perusal of the averments made in the counter filed by respondent No.2 in August, 2024, it is disclosed that the respondent authorities have prepared the District-wise seniority list of Panchayat Secretaries Grade-III and subsequently, they have called for the objections. After considering the objections, they have finalized the District-wise seniority list. In fact, as per the remarks of the District Panchayat Officers, it has been categorically stated that the provisional seniority list of Prakasam District was communicated on 10.11.2022, Guntur District on 26.08.2023 and SPSR Nellore District on 28.09.2022 and they have called for objections. After considering the objections, they have finalized the seniority list of Prakasam District on

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27.09.2023, Guntur District on 20.09.2023 and SPSR Nellore District on 10.11.2022.

¶199

To support the contention of the official respondents, the unofficial respondents have also placed a bundle of material papers to show that a provisional seniority list was issued calling for objections, several objections were received and the said objections were duly considered before finalizing the seniority list. This Court has also perused the material placed by the unofficial respondents. According to the said material, several objections were received pursuant to the provisional seniority list dated 20.11.2022. On perusal of the same, it is seen that persons such as D.S.Sandhya , Panchayat Secretary, Doddichintala (cluster), H.M.Padu Mandal; D.Sravana Sandhya, Panchayat Secretary Grade-III, H.M.Padu Mandal; K.Krishna Murthy, Panchayat Secretary Grade-III; Shiak Adambibi, Panchayat Secretary Grade-III, along with several others, filed objections and the respondent authorities have considered those objections and prepared the final seniority list dated 20.09.2023.

¶200

On perusal of the final seniority list of Panchayat Secretaries Grade-III working in the erstwhile Prakasam District, it

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W.P.No.11558 of 2024

DR, J

is evident that the respondent authorities have considered each and every objections separately and reasons were recorded while disposing of the objections. On perusal of the same, it is also seen that 61 objections were received and 61 separate reasons were given for each objection and after disposal of the objections, the final seniority list has been prepared.

¶205

On perusal of the above material, it clearly discloses that the respondent authorities have prepared the provisional seniority list and the same were communicated and all the objections were considered and separate reasoned orders were passed. In such circumstances, the contention of the learned counsel for the petitioners that no list was prepared and that no such list was circulated to the petitioners cannot be accepted. When the respondent authorities have issued the provisional seniority list and after considering the objections, they have finalised the seniority list, without filing any objections, the petitioners are not entitled to approach this Court straightaway.

¶206

In fact, the petitioners have made bald allegations against the respondent authorities stating that without finalizing the seniority list, they have prepared the final selection list for

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DR, J

Panchayat Secretaries Grade-II. On perusal of the averments made in the counter filed by the 2^nd respondent and also the material placed by the unofficial respondents, this Court is of the considered opinion that the respondent authorities have prepared the provisional seniority list and called for objections. Without questioning the said list and without filing any objections to the provisional seniority list, the petitioners have no locus standi to challenge the action of the respondents vide the impugned proceedings dated 15.03.2024. Hence, the writ petition lacks merits.

¶211