Allowed

The Kerala State Road Transport v. Muraleedharan K.G.

Kerala HC11 Jun 2019WA/2504/2017

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The High Court held that overstaying by empanelled painters beyond 180 days violates service rules. The court rejected the claim for appointment due to lack of mandate, cautioned against misusing interim relief to extend provisional engagements, and ordered employees relieved by 30.6.2019.

What did the court decide?

Empanelled painters ordered to be relieved on or before 30.6.2019; impugned judgment modified; writ appeals disposed of.

The Kerala State Road Transport Vs Muraleedharan K.G. — Service and Employment | Kerala HC (2019)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

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PRESENT

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.CHITAMBARESH

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¶5

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK MENON

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TUESDAY, THE 11TH DAY OF JUNE 2019 / 21ST JYAISHTA, 1941

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W.A.No. 2504 of 2017

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AGAINST THE JUDGMENT DATED 10.10.2017 IN WP(C).NO.5533/2017 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA

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APPELLANT/1ST RESPONDENT:

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KERALA STATE ROAD TRANSPORT CORPORATION, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, TRANSPORT BHAVAN, FORT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695023.

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BY SHRI.T.P SAJAN, SC, KSRTC

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RESPONDENTS/PETITIONERS & RESPONDENT NOS.2 & 3:

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1 MURALEEDHARAN K.G. KALLUVILA PUTHEN VEEDU, VENPAKAL P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN-695123.

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2 SREEJITH K.J. PLAVILA PUTHEN VEEDU,VENPAKAL P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,PIN - 695123.

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3 SUDHAKARAN V. VERANKULATH, NHANGATTURI,PATTAMBI, PALAKKAD, PIN - 679303.

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4 SURESH T.V. THOTTIPARAMBIL HOUSE, KALIYAMPUZHA,PULLURAMPARA P.O., THIRUVAMBADI,KOZHIKODE - 673603.

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5 PRADEEPAN V. VALCHUKETTIYIL VEEDU, KIZHAKKUMURI P.O.,KAKKODI, KOZHIKODE - 673613.

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6 VIJAYAN VAYAMKARA PATTIYARKUNNU, NEDIYIRUPP,KONDOTTY, MALAPPURAM - 673638.

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W.A.Nos.2504 , 2571 & 2573 of 2017

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& 9 of 2018

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7 K.K.JAYAPRAKASH NARAYANAN KOYAPPAKKUNNATHU HOUSE,POOVATHIKKAL P.O., AREKODE (VIA),MALAPPURAM - 673639.

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8 MAHESH B. PALLIYARAKKADU, PADINJATTAKKARA P.O.,THEVALAKKARA, KOLLAM - 690524.

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9 SREEDHARAN A.K. AMBRAKUNNUMMAL HOUSE,OMASSERY P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673582.

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10 GIRISH KUMAR M.V. KALLIDUMPARAMBIL HOUSE,MERIKUNNU P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673012.

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11 VISWA KUMAR E.V. K.V.COTTAGE, NEAR CHRISTIAN COLLEGE, KATTAKADA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

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12 PRAVEENKUMAR T.K. THEKKEDATH HOUSE, PUTHUPARAMBU, CHALAKKUDI, THRISSUR DISTRICT.

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13 KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695004.

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14 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.

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R1 TO R12 BY ADV.SRI.K.P.RAJEEVAN R13 BY SRI.P.C.SASIDHARAN, SC, KPSC R14 BY SRI.ANTONY MUKKATH, GOVT.PLEADER

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THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 10.06.2019, ALONG WITH WA.9/2018, WA.2571/2017 & WA.2573/2017, THE COURT ON 11.06.2019 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

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W.A.Nos.2504 , 2571 & 2573 of 2017 & 9 of 2018

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¶34

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

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PRESENT

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.CHITAMBARESH

¶37

¶38

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK MENON

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TUESDAY, THE 11TH DAY OF JUNE 2019 / 20TH JYAISHTA, 1941

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W.A.No. 2571 of 2017

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AGAINST THE JUDGMENT DATED 10.10.2017 IN WP(C)NO.31022 OF 2016 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA

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APPELLANTS/PETITIONERS IN THE WP(C):

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1 M.A.SASI KUMAR PRESSANNA BHAVAN, ARUVINMUZHA, KATTAKADA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT, PIN-695572.

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2 SAJU S.

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NIKARTHIL, PONNADE P.O., MANNANCHERY, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-688538.

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3 ANILMON A.A. ARATHUKULAM HOUSE, KADAKKARAPPALLIL P.O., CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-688529.

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4 JOHNSON V. VANIYIDAM, THRIKKODAMANGALAM P.O., PUTHUPPALLI, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT, PIN-606811.

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BY ADV. SRI.K.P.RAJEEVAN

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RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS IN THE WP(C):

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1 KERALA STATE ROAD TRANSPORT CORPORATION REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, TRANSPORT BHAVAN, FORT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,PIN-695023.

¶51

W.A.Nos.2504 , 2571 & 2573 of 2017 & 9 of 2018

¶52

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2 KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, PATTOM,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN-695001.

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3 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,PIN-695001.

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R1 BY SRI.T.P.SAJAN, SC, KSRTC

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R3 BY SRI.ANTONY MUKKATH, GOVT. PLEADER

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THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 10.06.2019, ALONG WITH WA.9/2018, WA.2504/2017 & WA.2573/2017, THE COURT ON 11.06.2019 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

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W.A.Nos.2504 , 2571 & 2573 of 2017 & 9 of 2018

¶59

¶60

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

¶61

PRESENT

¶62

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.CHITAMBARESH

¶63

¶64

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK MENON

¶65

TUESDAY, THE 11TH DAY OF JUNE 2019 / 20TH JYAISHTA, 1941

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W.A.No. 2573 of 2017

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AGAINST THE JUDGMENT DATED 10.10.2017 IN WP(C)NO.5533 OF 2017 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA

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APPELLANTS/PETITIONERS IN THE WP(C):

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1 MURALEEDHARAN. K.G

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KALLUVILA PUTHEN VEEDU,VENPAKAL P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT,PIN 695123.

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2 SREEJITH.K.J. PLAVILA PUTHEN VEEDU,VENPAKAL P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT,PIN - 695123.

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3 SUDHAKARAN.V VERANKULATH, NHANGATTURI,PATTAMBI, PALAKKAD DISTRICT, PIN - 679303.

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4 SURESH T.V. THOTTIPARAMBIL HOUSE, KALIYAMPUZHA, PULLURAMPARA P.O., THIRUVAMBADI, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673603.

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5 PRADEEPAN V. VALCHUKETTIYIL VEEDU, KIZHAKKUMURI P.O.,KAKKODI, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673613.

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6 VIJAYAN VAYAMKARA PATTIYARKUNNU, NEDIYIRUPP, KONDOTTY, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, PIN - 673638.

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7 K.K.JAYAPRAKAH NARAYANAN KOYAPPAKKUNNATHU HOUSE,POOVATHIKKAL P.O., AREKODE (VIA),MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, PIN - 673639.

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W.A.Nos.2504 , 2571 & 2573 of 2017

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& 9 of 2018

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8 MAHESH.B PALLIYARAKKADU, PADINJATTAKKARA P.O., THEVALAKKARA, KOLLAM DISTRICT, PIN - 690524.

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9 SREEDHARAN A.K. AMBRAKUNNUMMAL HOUSE,OMASSERY P.O., KOZHIKODE DISTRICT,PIN - 673582.

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10 GIRISH KUMAR M.V KALLIDUMPARAMBIL HOUSE,MERIKUNNU P.O., KOZHIKODE DISTRICT,PIN - 673012.

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11 VISWA KUMAR E.V. K.V.COTTAGE, NEAR CHRISTIAN COLLEGE, KATTAKADA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT, PIN-695572.

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12 PRAVEEN KUMAR T.K. THEKKEDATH HOUSE, PUTHUPARAMBU,CHALAKKUDI, THRISSUR DISTRICT,PIN-680 307.

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BY ADV. SRI.K.P.RAJEEVAN

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RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS IN THE W.P(C):

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1 KERALA STATE ROAD TRANSPORT CORPORATION REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, TRANSPORT BHAVAN,FORT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN-695023.

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2 KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN-695004.

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3 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT,SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN-695001.

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R1 BY SRI.T.P.SAJAN, SC, KSRTC

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R3 BY SRI.ANTONY MUKKATH, GOVT.PLEADER

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THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 10.06.2019, ALONG WITH WA.9/2018, WA.2571/2017 & WA.2504/2017, THE COURT ON 11.06.2019 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

¶93

W.A.Nos.2504 , 2571 & 2573 of 2017 & 9 of 2018

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

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PRESENT

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.CHITAMBARESH

¶98

¶99

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK MENON

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TUESDAY, THE 11TH DAY OF JUNE 2019 / 20TH JYAISHTA, 1941

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W.A.No. 9 of 2018

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AGAINST THE JUDGMENT DATED 10.10.2017 IN WP(C)NO.31022/2016 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA

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APPELLANT/1ST RESPONDENT:

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KERALA STATE ROAD TRANSPORT CORPORATION REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, TRANSPORT BHAVAN, FORT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,PIN-695023.

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BY SRI.T.P SAJAN, SC, KSRTC

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RESPONDENTS/PETITIONERS & RESPONDENT NOS.2 AND 3:

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1 M.A.SASIKUMAR PRASANNA BHAVAN, ARUVINMUZHA, KATTAKADA P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN:695572.

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2 SAJU S

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NIKARTHIL, PONNADE P.O., MANNANCHERY, ALAPPUZHA, PIN:688538.

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3 ANILMON A.A. ARATHUKULAM HOUSE, CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA, PIN:688529.

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4 JOHNSON V VANIYIDAM, THRIKKOTHAMANGALAM P.O., PUTHUPPALLY, KOTTAYAM, PIN:606811.

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5 KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY,

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W.A.Nos.2504 , 2571 & 2573 of 2017 & 9 of 2018

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PATTOM,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695004.

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6 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,PIN:695001.

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R1 TO R4 BY ADV.SRI.K.P.RAJEEVAN R5 BY SRI.P.C.SASIDHARAN, SC, KPSC R6 BY SRI.ANTONY MUKKATH, GOVT.PLEADER

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THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 10.06.2019, ALONG WITH WA.2504/2017, WA.2571/2017 & WA.2573/2017, THE COURT ON 11.06.2019 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

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W.A.Nos.2504 , 2571 & 2573 of 2017 & 9 of 2018

Judgment

Chitambaresh, J.

1.The overstaying of provisional (empanelled) conductors and drivers in KSRTC beyond 180 days in violation of Rule 9(2) of KS & SSR has been deprecated in SLP (Civil) Nos.11106/2019 and 11034/2019 respectively by the Supreme Court. It has been held in the latter case as follows:

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“The modalities of engaging empanelled drivers cannot be continued indefinitely once it is an admitted position that the required strength of drivers on the permanent role is in excess of the required strength. While KSRTC may make suitable arrangements to meet exigencies of a given day, this cannot be a ruse to continue empanelled drivers indefinitely. (emphasis supplied)

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It transpires during the hearing of the present writ appeals that approximately 90 empanelled painters are similarly overstaying in KSRTC which cannot be continued indefinitely in the light of the law declared above.

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W.A.Nos.2504 , 2571 & 2573 of 2017 & 9 of 2018

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2.The writ petitioners who find a place in the ranked list of Painter Grade II contend that 70 vacancies existed at the time the ranked list expired on 22.10.2017 which ought to have been reported by KSRTC. It appears that only one vacancy of Painter Grade II was reported to the PSC on 21.3.2017 though none has been appointed by the KSRTC there at for reasons unclear. Firstly, we cannot direct the vacancies to be reported after the expiry of the ranked list and secondly, it is upto the KSRTC to make an appointment even for the one vacancy reported. The Supreme Court in the case of Blacksmith Grade II observed in Civil Appeal Nos.3346-3348 of 2019 as follows:

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“The law stands settled that mere existence of vacancies or empanelment does not create any indefeasible right to appointment. The employer also has the discretion not to fill up all requisitioned vacancies, but which has to be for valid and germane reasons not afflicted by arbitrariness.”

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Suffice it to say that it is the absolute prerogative of the KSRTC to fill up the vacancies in the post of Painter Grade II and that the writ petitioners are not entitled to a writ of mandamus to effect

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W.A.Nos.2504 , 2571 & 2573 of 2017 & 9 of 2018

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appointment.

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3.We however caution that the provisional employee discharged from service after the admissible period of 180 days shall not be re-appointed to the same post except in accordance with Rule 9(3) of Part II of KS&SSR. The statutory provision in this regard has been highlighted in Antony Stejo and others v. State of Kerala [2019(1) KHC 613(DB)] affirmed in SLP No.11106/2019. The liberty given to KSRTC to make 'suitable arrangements to meet exigencies of a given day' in SLP No.11034/2019 shall not be misused to flout Rule 9(3) of Part II of KS&SSR. We say so since an apprehension has been voiced at the Bar that the KSRTC may continue to engage provisional employees on daily wages under the pretext of the Supreme Court order. Retention of the provisional employees under any pretext is condemnable to the extreme which shall not be resorted to by the KSRTC in an indirect manner. The writ appeals are disposed of making it clear that the empanelled painters shall be relieved on or before 30.6.2019 and the KSRTC shall deal with the resultant vacancies appropriately.

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W.A.Nos.2504 , 2571 & 2573 of 2017 & 9 of 2018

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The impugned judgment is modified and the writ appeals are disposed of. No costs.

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Sd/-

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V. CHITAMBARESH, JUDGE

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Sd/-

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