Three-petitioners challenging non-reporting of vacancies for Junior Health Inspector – Grade II. Petitioners were rank holders whose list expired. Principal finding: No interference warranted as no arbitrariness found and promotion before rank list expiry cannot be ordered.
The Original Petition is dismissed.
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE
&
THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE SHOBA ANNAMMA EAPEN
MONDAY, THE 30TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2023 / 8TH KARTHIKA, 1945
OP(KAT) NO. 249 OF 2022
PETITIONER/S/APPLICANTS NO.1,2,4 TO 8 & 10:
1 NEETHU P.M., AGED 32 YEARS W/O.GIREESH K.C.,KUNDOLY (H), P.O.ANCHERY SOUTH,THRISSUR - 680006.
2 SUJA K.M, AGED 29 YEARSW/O.MAHESH MOHANAN, KANDEDATH (H), MURIYAD P.O.
THRISSUR -680683.
3 SRUTHY O.B, AGED 33 YEARSD/O.O.A.BHASI, PERINGOTTUKARA, THRISSUR - 680565.
4 JASMIN K.M., AGED 33 YEARSD/O.K.A.MUSTHAFA, KATTALAT (H), P.O.PERINGOTTUKARA,
MOOTHEDATHARA, THRISSUR -689565.
5 ANJU RAJAN, AGED 34 YEARSW/O.PRATHEESH VISWANADH, KAVUNGAL (H),
CHOORAKKATTUKARA, AMALANAGAR P.O., THRISSUR -680555.
6 SUJA P., AGED 32 YEARSD/O.SUDHAKARAN, PANIKKASSERIL KIZHAKKATHIL, ARATTUPUZHA
NORTH P.O., ARATTUPUZHA, ALAPPUZHA -690515.
7 SALU S.PILLAI, AGED 34 YEARSW/O.KARTHIK M.M., MALAKKARAN (H), MULLAKKARA, MANNUTHY
P.O., THRISSUR -680561.
8 VIDULA K.S, AGED 33 YEARS W/O.ABI A.POTTEKKATTU, KATTIULAM (H), ALAGAPPA NAGAR P.O., VENDORE, THRISSUR -680302.BY ADV KALEESWARAM RAJ
RESPONDENT/S/APPLICANTS 3 & 9 & RESPONDENTS:
1ANJALY K.A,
AGED 27 YEARS
OP(K AT) NO. 249 OF 20 22
2
KARIMBANAKKAL (H), CHERUVAL P.O. PAZHAYI,
THRISSUR -680301.
2 SHALIMA E.S, AGED 30 YEARS W/O.ANIL KUMAR.P.B., PANDIKASALAKKAL (H), NATTIKA BENCH P.O., THRISSUR -6805683 THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THHIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695001., PIN - 6950014 THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM -695001.5 THE KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695004.6 THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICE RED CROSS ROAD, GENERAL HOSPITAL, VANCHIYOOR P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM -695035.7 THE DISTRICT OFFICER DISTRICT OFFICE, KERALA PUBLIC SERVICECOMMISSION, THRISSUR -680035.8 DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICER, HEALTH, THRISSUR, KERALA -680035.9 SANGEETHA K.K., KALLUPARAMBIL HOUSE,ANAPUZHA P.O.,KODUNGALLUR,THRISSUR-680667.10 SHAHANA K.A., KALLEPADAM HOUSE,PAZHAYANNUR,KALLEPADAM POST, THRISSUR-680 587.11 ASHIQ SAFDAR O.V., SANGAMAM,KIZHAKKUMURI P.O.,KAKKODI VIA,KOZHIKODE673 611.12 ANUPAMA GEORGE, PANAMKULATHUKARAN HOUSE,NEDUMBAL,THOTTIPPAL P.O.,THRISSUR-680 310.13 FATHIMA N., AJMAL MANZIL,HMC NAGAR,GURUPURAM SOUTH,ARYAD,ALAPPUZHA-688006.14 ANJUMOL K.S., KUDUNGAKUDY,PAYYAMPALLY,WAYANAD -670646.15 URMILA UNNI, REVATHI BHAVAN,GNRA 69 A,CHEMBUVILAOP(K AT) NO. 249 OF 20 22
3
LANE,KODUNGANOOR P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695013.16 MANEESHA A.S., AINIKKAL HOUSE,MUPLIYAM P.O.,THRISSUR-680312.17 SRUTHI K.S., KUNNUMPURATH HOUSE,POOVANCHIRA,THRISSUR-680652.18 DESSY DAVIES, CHOVANNOOKARAN HOUSE, MAHATHA STREET, MANNUTHY, THRISSUR.19 MANIKANDAN S.P., BINU BHAVAN,SWARNA PIRIVU,SHOLAYAR,PALAKKAD678581.20 RESHMA R.S., BHAGAVATHIVILA VEEDU,KULATHUR,UCHAKKADA P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695506.21 NIHALA T.T., PATHEY HOUSE,ARAKKAL THAZHE PADANNA,PAYYANAKKAL,KALLAI P.O.,,KOZHIKODE673003.22 ANJU SURENDRAN, RACHANA,EVOOR NORTH P.O.,CHEPPAD,ALAPPUZHA690507.23 ALBERT WINSON, CHEETHAPARAMBIL HOUSE,THALORE,THRISSUR-680306.24 ANWAR SHAREEF T.P., THADIYAMPURATH HOUSE,KARAKUNNU POST,MALAPPURAM676 123.25 VEENA A., KALYANI BHAVAN,CHARUVILA,AZHOOR,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 305.26 NAVYA SUDHAN, CHETTUPUZHA HOUSE,CHETTUPUZHA,THRISSUR-680012.27 AJITHA N.G., NELLIYAYI GOUSE,AREACODE VIA,MALAPPURAM,VETTILAPPARA P.O.,PIN-673 639.28 ANNA P.L., PALLATH HOUSE, ASHADEEPAN, VETTUKAD, THRISSUR680014.29 MIDHUN A.C., ALAKKANDY,PUTHANMITTAM,VARAYAL,KAPPATTUMALA,WAYAN AD-670644.OP(K AT) NO. 249 OF 20 22
4
30 MUHAMMED SHARIF P.J., PALATHUMVEETIL,KECHERY,THRISSUR-680 501.31 AJMAL K.JABBAR, KUZHIPILLIL HOUSE,KADAVOOR,ERNAKULAM-686671.32 DEBIYA DAVIS, CHEERAKATHIL HOUSE,VIII/108,PALISSERY,ERNAKULAM683576.33 JIHAS K.C., KURIKKALKANDY HOUSE,CHERUKKAD POST,KOZHIKODE673527.34 RINCY THAMPAN, CHENKILETH THARAYIL,VETTICODE P.O.,ALAPPUZHA690503.35 JENITTA JOJO, PULLOKKARAN HOUSE,MARAMKODE,KUTTICHIRA P.O.,CHALAKKUDY,THRISSUR-680724.**(ADDL. RESPONDENT NOS. 9 TO 35 WERE IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DATED 27.07.2022 IN I.A.No.1/2022 IN O.P.(KAT) No.249/2022)BY ADVS.
M.M.FATHIMA JALEENA
K.A.HAZAN
V.J.JAMES
ARUN PAUL (KAPRASSERY)
RAMESH KUMAR K.
Adv.VINITHA.B (SENIOR GOVERNMENT PLEADER)
THIS OP KERALA ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL HAVING BEEN
FINALLY HEARD ON 30.10.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY
DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
OP(K AT) NO. 249 OF 20 22
5
JUDGMENT
Dated this the 30h day of October, 2023
A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE(J)
The petitioners in this original petition are the
applicants in O.A.No.2589 of 2019 before the Kerala
Administrative Tribunal. The matter in this original
petition is with regard to the reporting vacancies in the
category of Junior Health Inspector – Grade II. The
applicants were the rank holders of Junior Health
Inspector – Grade II in Health Departments, published by
the Kerala Public Service Commission in Thrissur District
and the list expired on 07.02.2020.
2.According to the learned Counsel for the Health
Department, all substantial vacancies were reported. The
Tribunal also found that the promotion was not effected to
the post from the lower feeder category before the expiry
of the rank list. Sometimes, it may happen when the post
set apart for direct recruitment is also be available for
the feeder category for promotion, there may not be an
accurate reporting for all the vacancies.
OP(K AT) NO. 249 OF 20 22
6
The judicial review in such circumstances is limited.
In the absence of any arbitrariness in withholding
reporting of such vacancies, the Tribunal or Court will
not be justified in interfering in any such matters. The
Tribunal or Court, also cannot order promotion before the
expiry of PSC rank list to make room for vacancies in the
Direct Recruitment Category. No interference is warranted
in this Case.
Accordingly, this Original Petition is dismissed.
Sd/A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE, JUDGE
Sd/-
SHOBA ANNAMMA EAPEN,
JUDGE
RK
OP(K AT) NO. 249 OF 20 22
7
APPENDIX OF OP(KAT) 249/2022
PETITIONER ANNEXURES
Annexure1TRUE COPY OF RANK LIST NO.199/2017/SSU
CATEGORY NO.665/2012.
Annexure A2COPY OF ORDER NO.EG3/1440/2013/DHS TVPM
DATED 27.12.2014
Annexure A3TRUE COPY OF LETTER NO.EG3/10317/10/DHS
DATED 28.05.2019
Annexure A4TRUE COPY OF LETTER NO.D1(R-1) 132/2019
DMO(H),THRISSUR DATED 13.08.2019
Annexure A5TRUE COPY OF ORDER
NO.EG3/103172/2018/DHS DATED 27.11.2019
Annexure A6TRUE COPY OF RELEVANT PAGES OF THE
SENIORITY LIST
Annexure A7TRUE COPY OF LETTER NO.D1(R1)-
146/2019/DHO(H) THRISSUR DATED
10.08.2019
Annexure A8TRUE COPY OF REPRESENTATION DATED
25.11.2019 ADDRESSED TO THE 1 ST
RESPONDENT
Annexure A9TRUE COPY OF REPRESENTATION DATED
25.11.2019 SUBMITTED BEFORE THE 2 ND
RESPONDENT
Annexure A10TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DATED
25.11.2019 SUBMITTED BEFORE THE 3 RD
RESPONDENT
Annexure A11TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION
SUBMITTED BEFORE THE MINISTER FOR
HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DATED
25.11.2019
Annexure A12TRUE COPY OF ORDER NO.EG2-40/2016 DHS
DATED 28.11.2019 IN WHICH THE DIRECTION
FOR PROVISIONALLY REPORTING OF 5
VACANCIES IN ANTICIPATION OF PROMOTION
TO HIGHER CADRES
Annexure A13TRUE COPY OF THE OTHER DIRECTION
CONTAINED IN ORDER NO.EG2/40/2016/DHS
DATED 21.12.2019 FOR PROVISIONALLY
REPORTING OF 28 VACANCIES.
Annexure A14TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER OF THIS
OP(K AT) NO. 249 OF 20 22
8
HON'BLE TRIBUNAL DATED 31.1.2020
Annexure A15TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER OF THIS
HON'BLE TRIBUNAL DATED 5.02.2020
Annexure A16TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.EG4/40/16/DHI
DATED 17.06.2020 OF THE SECOND
RESPONDENT
Annexure A17TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER
NO.EG2/40/2016/DHS DATED 5.02.2020
Annexure R4(a)TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.EG2-
40/2016/DHS DATED 28.11.2019 OF THE
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Annexure R4(b)TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.EG2-
40/2016./DHS DATED 21.12.2019 OF THE
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Annexure R6(a)TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED
24.05.2011 IN W.P(C)NO.13765/2011
Exhibit P1TRUE COPY OF THE MEMORANDUM OF O.A. NO.
2589/2019 FILED BY THE PETITIONER ALONG
WITH THE ANNEXURES.
Exhibit P2P2-TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY STATEMENT
FILED ON BEHALF OF THE 4 TH RESPONDENT
IN O.A.NO.2589/2019
Exhibit P3TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY STATEMENT FILED
ON BEHALF OF THE 6 TH RESPONDENT IN
O.A.NO.2589/2019
Exhibit P4TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED
09.02.2021 IN O.A.NO.2589/2019
Exhibit P5TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 25.02.2022
IN O.A.NO.2589/2019.
3 issues framed by the court
Whether the Administrative Tribunal can order promotion to make room for vacancies in the Direct Recruitment Category before the expiry of the rank list.
Whether judicial review is warranted in the absence of arbitrariness in withholding reporting of vacancies.
Whether the rank holders of Junior Health Inspector – Grade II are entitled to report vacant posts.
NEETHU P.M.
SUJA K.M
KARIMBANAKKAL (H), CHERUVAL P.O PAZHAYI, THRISSUR
THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA
THE KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE
SHOBA ANNAMMA EAPEN
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court