High Court of KeralaSingle Judge2007-04-09Writ petition partly allowed; Ext.P8 quashed; m...

G.L. Lakshmi v. Principal and Controlling Officer, Government Homoeopathic Medical College, Iranimuttom, Thiruvananthapuram and others

Case / Petition Number:WP(C).No. 33147/2006(U)

Case Details & Bench

Court: High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges: K.M. Joseph
Judgment Date: 2007-04-09
Court Decision / Holding: Writ petition partly allowed. Ext.P8 is quashed. The second respondent is directed to afford an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and the fourth respondent and to take a fresh decision in accordance with law within two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Interim order to continue; the challenge to Ext.P3 is left open.
Final Disposition: Writ petition partly allowed; Ext.P8 quashed; matter remanded for fresh decision after hearing within two months; interim order continues; Ext.P3 challenge left open.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

G.L. Lakshmi

Respondents

Principal and Controlling Officer, Government Homoeopathic Medical College, Iranimuttom, Thiruvananthapuram-9
State of Kerala, represented by the Secretary to Government, Health and Family Welfare (J) Department, Government Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala Public Service Commission, represented by its Secretary, PSC Office, Thiruvananthapuram
Dr. M.T. Hamza, Assistant Surgeon, Primary Health Centre, Melatoor P.O., Malappuram District

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

• Sri P.K. Behanan

Counsels for Respondents

• Sri T.T. Muhammed
• Sri P.C. Sasidharan
• Sri K. Mohanakannan
• Sri A.R. Pravitha

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ petition challenges the Government Order dated 2 February 2005 (Ext.P3) upgrading two Tutor posts in the Department of Practice of Medicine in the Government Homoeopathic Medical College to Lecturer posts, and the related order (Ext.P8) implementing this upgrade. The Petitioner, a Scheduled Caste postgraduate in Homoeopathy, ranked third in the PSC select list (Ext.P2) for Tutor posts notified on 26 November 2002 (Ext.P1), contends that once vacancies are reported to the PSC they cannot be cancelled or reduced, and that the “vanishing category” treatment of Tutor posts is impermissible. Exts.P4, P5 and P5(a) are relied upon to argue that vacancies reported to the PSC should not be altered post-notification, and that the date of occurrence of vacancy should govern the appointment method. The petitioner highlights Ext.P12, which shows that Central Council of Homoeopathy staffing norms are not implemented in the Government Homoeopathic Medical Colleges, and Ext.P13 showing appointments after 2.2.2005. The fourth respondent’s repatriation to the Homoeopathic department is contested. The court directed a reconsideration in view of Exts.P12 and P13, quashing Ext.P8, and ordered a fresh hearing by the second respondent to decide afresh within two months in accordance with law, with interim orders to continue and Ext.P3 remaining open to challenge. The judgment emphasizes a lawful, merit-based, and transparent process for vacancies and post-upgrading.

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

Petitioner argues that the 2 February 2005 Government Order (Ext.P3) upgrading Tutor posts to Lecturer posts is void as it overrides earlier orders and contravenes the policy that vacancies once reported to the PSC should not be altered. She relies on Exts.P1–P2 showing vacancies and ranking, Ext.P4–P5 showing the vanishing-category principle, and Ext.P12–P13 indicating non-implementation of Central Council of Homoeopathy norms. She contends that Ext.P8 is illegal and must be quashed; she seeks a fresh, law-compliant decision after hearing the petitioner and the fourth respondent, as per Ext.P7 judgment. She also cites Harindran v. State of Kerala to underline the need for lawful, merit-based staffing decisions and to prevent undue influence. She prays for quashing Ext.P3 and Ext.P8 and for a disposition consistent with the rights of the petitioner and the PSC framework.

Contentions of Respondents

Respondents contend that vacancies existed and were reported; there is a legal right for repatriation of the fourth respondent; Ext.P3 correctly upholds the policy of treating Tutor posts as vanishing categories while allowing for repatriation and the filling of available vacancies. They argue that Ext.P8 reflects careful consideration of the legal framework and the maintenance of orderly recruitment. They rely on government orders and prior judgments (Ext.R4C) and assert that the petition should be decided in light of these directives and the need to fill vacancies while preserving public service efficiency. A fresh hearing is required only if new material impacts the decision, which Exts.P12 and P13 introduce. They urge the court to sustain the Ext.P3 framework and to allow only a hearing to address the genuineness of repatriation and vacancy status.

Cited Precedents (3)

Case Name	Citation	Treatment	Explanation
Harindran v. State of Kerala	2006(4) ILR 680	Mentioned Only	Cited by petitioner to support the proposition of lawful staffing and merit-based appointments; the judgment does not rely on it for the final order.
W.P.(C) No.29935/06	Judgment dated 15.11.06	Mentioned Only	Ext.P7 judgment cited as a reference; not distinguished or overruled in the present decision.
W.P.(C) No.25327/2006	Judgment dated 26.9.2006	Mentioned Only	Ext.R4(C) refers to this judgment; used as a comparative reference without being treated as binding to alter the outcome.

Diagnostic Tool

Beta

Does this judgment govern your specific facts?

Don't risk relying on a distinguishable precedent. Enter your facts or proposition below. We will test it against G.L. Lakshmi v. Principal and Controlling Officer, Government Homoeopathic Medical College, Iranimuttom, Thiruvananthapuram and others and instantly map out authorities that support, challenge, or govern your position.

Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.M.JOSEPH MONDAY, THE 9TH APRIL 2007 / 19TH CHAITHRA 1929 WP(C).No. 33147 of 2006(U) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------------ G.L.LAKSHMI, W/O.G.ANILKUMAR, 'THIRUVATHIRA', TC.NO.18/1860(1), JAI NAGAR, THIRUMALA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- 695006. BY ADV. SRI.P.K.BEHANAN RESPONDENTS: --------------------- 1. THE PRINCIPAL AND CONTROLLING OFFICER, GOVERNMENT HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGE, IRANIMUTTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-9. 2. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (J) DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 3. KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, PSC OFFICE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 4. DR.M.T.HAMZA, ASSISTANT SURGEON, PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRE, MELATOOR P.O., MALAPPURAM DISTRICT. R3 BY ADV. SRI.P.C.SASIDHARAN, SC, KPSC R4 BY ADV. SRI.K.MOHANAKANNAN SMT.A.R.PRAVITHA R1 & R2 BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI. T.T. MUHAMMED. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 09/04/2007,THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: WPC. 33147/2006. ## APPENDIX PETITIONER'S EXTS: EXT. P1 : TRUE COPY OF THE GAZETTE NOTIFICATION DATED 26.11.2002. EXT. P2 : TRUE COPY OF THE PSC SELECT LIST NO.442/2005 PUBLISHED BY THE KPSC. EXT. P3 : TRUE COPY OF THE G.O.(MS) NO.27/05/H& FWD DTD. 2.2.05. EXT. P4 : TRUE COPY OF THE G.O.(MS) NO.232/71/PD DTD. 12.8.1971 ISSUED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY. EXT. P5 : TRUE COPY OF THE CIRCULAR NO.4441/ADV-C3/97/P&ARD WHICH IS TAKEN BY THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF KPSC. EXT. P5(A) : TRUE COPY OF CIRCULAR NO. 1634 DATED 18.2.99 ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT. EXT. P6 : TRUE COPY OF THE RESUBMITTED REPRESENTATION DATED 16.11.06 BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT. EXT. P7 : TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT IN W.P.(C) NO.29935/06 DTD. 15.11.06 OF THE HIGH COURT FILED BY THE PETITIONER. EXT. P8 : TRUE COPYOF THE G.O.(RT) NO.3556/06/H& FWD DTD. 6.12.06 ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT. EXT. P9 : TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 26.9.06 PASSED IN W.P.(C) 25327/06 FILED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT. EXT. P10 : TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER NO.36711/05/H&FWD DTD. 6.1.06 ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT. EXT. P11 : TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER NO.276/E1/05 DTD. 30.9.06 ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT. EXT. P12 : TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER NO.2214/E1/06/GHMCT/DTD.27.2.07 ISSUED FROM THE 1ST RESPONDENT. EXT. P13 : TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER NO.2214/E1/2006/GHMCT DTD. 18.12.2006 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT. RESPONDENT'S EXTS: EXT, R2(A) : PHOTO COPY OF THE CENTRAL COUNCIL OF HOMOEOPATHY REGULATION. EXT. R4(A) : TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNMENT DATED 16.4.2003. EXT. R4(B) : TRUE COPY OF THE CIRCULAR NO.768/R12004 3 & ARD DATED 15.7.2004 ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT. EXT. R4(C) : TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 26.9.2006 IN W.P.(C) NO.25327/2006 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT. EXT.R4(D) : TRUE COPY OF THE AFFIDAVIT FILED IN W.P.(C) 25327/06 BEFORE THIS HON'BLE COURT. EXT. R4(E) : TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION SUBMITTED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT ON 1/12/2005 SUBMITTED BEFORE THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT. ## **K.M.JOSEPH, J.** - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WP.(C) No. 33147 OF 2006 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dated this the 9[th] day of April, 2007 ## **JUDGMENT** Case of the petitioner in brief is as follows: Petitioner is a post graduate in Homoeopathic Medicine. She belongs to Scheduled Caste category. Three vacancies of Tutor in Practice of Medicine were reported to the Public Service Commission. Ext.P1 notification followed dated 26.11.2002. Petitioner is rank No. 3 in Ext.P2 rank list published by the Public Service Commission. Ext.P3 is the Government Order dated 2.2.2005. Thereunder Government have upgraded two posts of Tutor in the Department of Practice of Medicine in the Homoeopathic Medical College. Ext.P3 is null and void as it is against the principles laid down in the earlier Government Order issued by the Chief Secretary. Exts. P4, P5 and P5 (a) are relied on essentially to contend that once vacancies are reported to Commission, they should neither be cancelled nor reduced. It is further stated in Ext.P4 that they should also note that the date of occurrence of the vacancy should be treated as the crucial date to decide the method of appointment and that the practice, if any, of WPC.33147/2006. 2 filling of vacancies by promotion or transfer after reporting the vacancies to the Commission should be discontinued. It is understood that the fourth respondent who is working as Assistant Surgeon in the Allopathic Medical Department wants to get a transfer to the post of Lecturer in the Homoeopathic Medical College. Petitioner opposed the transfer as it is to the post of Lecturer upgraded from the post of Tutor. Petitioner submitted Ext.P6. This court directed by Ext.P7 to consider the same. Ext.P8 is the order passed. Petitioner challenged Exts. P3 and P8. Ext.P9 is the judgment of this court whereunder this court directed the representation of the fourth respondent to be considered in accordance with law. According to the petitioner under the guise of Ext.P9 judgment the influence of the fourth respondent has become much stronger. Ext.P10 is a letter dated 6.1.2006 issued by Secretary to Government by which the Government has directed the Principal and Controlling Officer of Government Homoeopathic Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram to fill up the seventeen vacancies of Tutor already reported to the Kerala Public Service Commission by candidates advised by the Commission. But it is WPC.33147/2006. 3 further stated that no new posts of Tutor hereinafter will be created or filled as Tutor posts have been declared as vanishing category. Ext. P11 is the letter by the Principal and Controlling Officer in which it is inter alia stated that it will be more beneficial to the department as well as the petitioner when the unfilled vacant post of Lecturer in the department of Practice of Medicine is downgraded to Tutor post. 2. Counter affidavits have been filed. Petitioner has produced Exts.P12 and P13. Ext.P12 is purported to be issued by the Public Information Officer, whereunder he stated that in the Government Homoeopathic Medical Colleges the teaching staff required as per the Central Council of Homoeopathy pattern is not implemented. Ext.P13 is the details of Tutors appointed after 2.2.2005. It shows that as many as 20 Tutors have been appointed the last date of joining being 2.12.2006. Rank Nos. 1 and 2 in Ext.P2 rank list have already been appointed. 3. Heard counsel for the parties. Counsel for the petitioner would point out that it is clearly opposed to Exts.P4, P5 and P5(a) to upgrade the post of tutor and that he would submit that the vacancies WPC.33147/2006. 4 were reported on 28.7.2001. Ext.P1 notification is brought out on 26.11.2002. After reporting the vacancies and publication of the notification it is by Ext.P3, which is in the year 2005 that the vacancies which were already reported to the Public Service Commission is purported to be upgraded as Lecturer and sought to be filled by appointment of the fourth respondent, he submits. It is impermissible, he contends. He submits that Ext.P12 would clearly show that in the Government Homoeo Medical Colleges the teaching staff required as per the Central Council of Homoeopathy pattern is not implemented. Thus there is no basis for treating the post of Tutor as vanishing category, he contends. He emphasises Ext.P13 to show that persons have been appointed and they have joined as late as in December, 2006. Counsel for the petitioner relied on the judgment of this court in **Harindran v. State of Kerala** (2006(4) ILR 680). 4. Learned counsel for the fourth respondent Sri.Mohanakannan would point out that he made an application seeking repatriation to the parent department prior to the date of the notification. That application was not considered as evident from Ext.R4(a) only on account of the WPC.33147/2006. 5 reason that SLP was pending against the judgment of the Full Bench. Apex Court has finally confirmed the judgment of the Full Bench. Therefore there is no obstacle remaining for his repatriation back to the Homoeopathic Medical Department, he contends. There is a vacancy, he would contend, and it is his legal right to be repatriated. No doubt counsel for the petitioner would point out that it is the duty of the Government to examine whether the person is entitled to be confirmed in the department to which he is transferred. In the impugned order Ext.P8 Government has only stated that it has examined the matter in detail and it is inter alia ordered that by Ext.P3 it was ordered that the Tutor posts in Homoeopathic Medical Education Department will be treated as vanishing category and Government did not find any reason to change the above decision. Having heard counsel for the parties, I am of the view that the matter requires reconsideration particularly in the light of Exts.P12 and P13. I find that there is no reference also to Exts.P4, P5 and P5(a). In such circumstances Ext.P8 is quashed and the second respondent will afford an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and the fourth WPC.33147/2006. 6 respondent and take a decision afresh in accordance with law within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. I leave open the challenge of the petitioner to Ext.P3. Till such time as a decision is taken by the second respondent as aforesaid, interim order will continue. (K.M. JOSEPH, JUDGE) sb ## K.M.JOSEPH, JJ. - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - W.A. No. OF - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ## **JUDGMENT** Dated this the day of February, 2006.