High Court of KeralaDivision Bench2012-01-23Writ Appeal disposed of; directed approach to S...

State of Kerala and The Director, Indian Systems of Medicine v. Dr. Shyly S. Raju and others (WA No. 42 of 2012)

Case / Petition Number:WA No. 42 of 2012

Case Details & Bench

Court: High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges: The Hon'ble Acting Chief Justice M. Chellur
The Hon'ble Mr. Justice P.R. Ramachandra Menon
Judgment Date: 2012-01-23
Court Decision / Holding: Writ Appeal disposed of. The court directed the appellants to approach the learned Single Judge to decide the matter in light of the counter affidavit, on the issue of vacancy reporting and temporary postings, noting the need to clarify whether such postings are short-term or likely to prolong, and to address the Ext.P2 list validity.
Final Disposition: Writ Appeal disposed of; directed approach to Single Judge for decision with counter affidavit on record, focusing on vacancy reporting and duration of temporary postings.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

STATE OF KERALA (represented by the Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department)
DIRECTOR, INDIAN SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE (Ayurveda)

Respondents

DR.SHYLY S.RAJU
DR. SOUMYA G. SARASWATHY
DR. GIRIJANAND M.S. GIRIJA
DR. SREELAJA SASIKUMAR
DR. RESHMI R.S.
DR. JIJIMOL R. RAJEEVAM
DR. BEENA M. THUSHARA
DR. SUSMITHA B.S. SREEBHADRA
DR. LILI JACOB CHACKO
DR. SREEKANTH P. AMRITHAPERUMPERAL
DR.SALINA A.
DR. MAYA N.
DR. NIJA R.VEETTEE EDAYILAZHIKAM
DR. BINI ABRAHAM
DR. PRASANTH P.A.
DR. SUDHINKRISHNAN T.
DR. BHAGYASREE PULLIKOD
DR. THUSHARA P.C.
DR. SANDHYA M.V.
DR. SUJA G.NAIR SREEVALSAM
DR. MANGALA LAXMAN SHEELA NIVAS
DR. SHAMEEKA C.K.
DR. BINDU JOSEPH
DR. CINNISH P.
DR. PRAVEENA A.K. PAIKATTUMANA
DR. LUCY T.K. THAKARAPPILLIL
DR. DURGA E. EDAKKUNNU WARRIAM
DR. SMITHA K. INDU VIHAR
DR. LIGY M.K. MARAKKATH
DR. SIVAPRASADAM V. SUGUNALAYAM
DR.SHEENA M.K.
DR. SHIJI P.K.
DR. RETNAKUMAR R. SIVALAYAM
DR. SASIKALA V.S.
DR. APARNA V.N.
DR. SMITHA G. PANICKER
DR. PRAHLAD K. KUTTICHATHU
DR. PREETHY G.NAIR
DR. LALU T.R.
DR. SREEJITH S.
DR. SUGESH KUMAR G.S.
DR. C.K.SUSHANTH PUTHIYOTTIL
DR. K.SIVADAS MENON
DR. VIDYA V.S.
DR. K.A.RAVINARAYANA KUMAR
DR. SUMY C.R.
DR. P.NILEENA
DR. K.T.BEENA RAJEEV
DR. SREEJA J.
DR. MAJIDA HYDER ALI
THE KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

• GIRIJ A GOPAL, Government Pleader (for Respondents 1 and 2)
• Smt. Hena Bahuleyan
• N. Nandakumara Menon (Sr.)
• P.K. Manojkumar

Counsels for Respondents

• GIRIJ A GOPAL (as above)
• N. Nandakumara Menon (Sr.)
• P.K. Manojkumar
• Smt. Hena Bahuleyan

Case Synopsis & Summary

This High Court of Kerala, Ernakulam, heard WA No. 42 of 2012 against an interim order in WPC No. 23479/2011 dated 07-09-2011. The appellants, State of Kerala and the Director, Indian Systems of Medicine, challenged the interim direction directing the second respondent to report all vacancies in the post of Medical Officer (Ayurveda) presently held by temporary hands to the third respondent and to ensure Ext.P2 (the ranked list for appointments) would remain in force only until 14-06-2012. The petitioners contended that temporary postings and vacancies created by leave or deputation for short durations may not necessarily constitute substantive vacancies for regular recruitment. The respondents contended, and the government pleaded, that Rule 5 of Part II Kerala State and Subordinate Service Rules prohibits counting such short-duration postings as substantive vacancies unless they exceed six months or are likely to prolong. The court cited State of M.P. v. Dharam Bir (1998) 6 SCC 165 to support treating temporary vacancies as vacancies for recruitment purposes. The court observed the need to clarify whether temporary postings are for short or long durations and that the appeal, being against an interim order, could be disposed of while directing the appellants to approach the learned Single Judge to decide the matter with counter affidavit on record. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.

Provisions of Law Cited

Constitution of India, Article 226(3)Rule 5, Part II, Kerala State and Subordinate Service Rules

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

State of M.P. v. Dharam Bir, 1998 (6) SCC 165 (temporary vacancies treated as substantive for recruitment)

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The appellants argued that the list Ext.P2 (ranked list for Ayurveda Medical Officer/Assistant Insurance Medical Officer) is time-bound; vacancies created by temporary postings or leaves/deputations for short durations should not automatically be treated as substantive vacancies for regular recruitment. They contend that vacancy determination should align with Rule 5 of Part II Kerala State and Subordinate Service Rules and require a clear demonstration that postings exceed six months or are likely to prolong, else Ext.P2’s validity and the recruitment process must not be prejudiced. The interim order, they submit, prevents orderly recruitment and extends temporary positions beyond the contemplated period, undermining regular appointments.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents submitted that vacancies arising from temporary postings or leaves with durations beyond six months can be treated as substantive vacancies for purposes of Ext.P2 and recruitment, in view of Rule 5 and the State’s obligation to maintain a proper list for appointments. They relied on the Dharam Bir principle to argue that temporary appointments can be treated as vacancies for recruitment purposes to ensure timely staffing in Ayurveda posts and avoid prolonged vacancies in the department. They urged the Court to consider the practical need to fill vacancies to maintain health services.

Cited Precedents (1)

Case Name	Citation	Treatment	Explanation
State of M.P. v. Dharam Bir	1998 (6) SCC 165	Positive	The Court relied on this decision to hold that temporary vacancies can be treated as vacancies for regular recruitment when considering Ext.P2 and appointment processes.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ## PRESENT: THE HON'BLE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE MRS.MANJULA CHELLUR & THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON MONDAY, THE 23RD DAY OF JANUARY 2012/3RD MAGHA 1933 ## **WA.No. 42 of 2012 ()** ## **-----------------** AGAINST THE ORDER IN WPC.23479/2011 DATED 07-09-2011 APPELLANT(S)/APPELLANTS/RESPONDENTS 1-2 IN THE WPC: -------------------------------------------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA REP. BY THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE DIRECTOR INDIAN SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE, AROGYABHAVAN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER MS. GIRIJA GOPAL RESPONDENTS/PETITIONERS : ------------------------- 1. DR.SHYLY S.RAJU R.S.MANSION, KONKALAM ROAD, KUNNAPUZHA ARAMADA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695032 2. DR. SOUMYA G. SARASWATHY BHAVAN, PARKODE P.O. PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT 689 645 3. DR. GIRIJANAND M.S. GIRIJA BHAVAN, VALIYAPADAM, VILANTHARA P.O. SASTHAMCOTTA, KOLLAM 690 521 4. DR. SREELAJA SASIKUMAR SIVADHA, TC 13/1788/51, SNRA-310 MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 011 5. DR. RESHMI R.S. "PUTHUKULANGARA BANGLAVU KANDALLOOR NORTH, PATTOLIMARKET P.O. KAYAMKULAM-690 531. ## **W.A. 42 OF 2012** **:2:** 6. DR. JIJIMOL R. RAJEEVAM, KADAKKARAPPALLY P.O., CHERTHALA ALAPPUZHA 688 229 7. DR. BEENA M. THUSHARA, CHECKALAVILAKAM, KADAKKAVOOR P.O.THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- 695 306 8. DR. SUSMITHA B.S. SREEBHADRA, HOUSE NO.74-9, CHEMPAKA NAGAR BAKERY JUNCTION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 001 9. DR. LILI JACOB CHACKO NILAYAM PULLAN, NEDUNGAPRA P.O., ERNAKULAM-683 545. 10. DR. SREEKANTH P. AMRITHAPERUMPERAL, PALLIPAD P.O., HARIPAD ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT-690 512. 11. DR.SALINA A. TC 8/674(3), AL-RAHEEQ, T.V.NAGAR THIRUMALA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 006 12. DR. MAYA N. TC 25/2152-1, UTHRADOM, THYVILA ROAD THAMPANOOR P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 695 001 13. DR. NIJA R.VEETTEE EDAYILAZHIKAM, IRUMPANANGADU P.O., EZHUKONE KOLLAM 695 505 14. DR. BINI ABRAHAM ELEGANT PACKAGE, VELLANAD P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 543 15. DR. PRASANTH P.A. 'ATTUPURAM', KAITHAPRAM, MATHAMANGALAM P.O. KANNUR DISTRICT-670 306. 16. DR. SUDHINKRISHNAN T. 'GOKULAM', KARUVAMBRAM P.O., MANJERI MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-676 123. 17. DR. BHAGYASREE PULLIKOD HOUSE, C.POYIL P.O., (VIA)PARIYARAM KANNUR-670 502. 18. DR. THUSHARA P.C. 'LAXMI', TALAP, KANNUR-670 002. ## **W.A. 42 OF 2012** **:3:** 19. DR. SANDHYA M.V. PUTHIYADATH KUNIYAN, KARIVELLUR, KANNUR-670 521. 20. DR. SUJA G.NAIR SREEVALSAM, MATHUKOTH P.O., VARAM KANNUR 670 001 21. DR. MANGALA LAXMAN SHEELA NIVAS, PAYYAMBALAM, KANNUR 673 004 22. DR.SHAMEEKA C.K. 'SIVAM', NEAR PARAYANCHERI, GIRLS H.S. PUTHIYARA P.O. 673 004 23. DR. BINDU JOSEPH KANNETTUKANDATHIL, KOODARANHI P.O. KOZHIKODE-673 604. 24. DR. CINNISH P. 2/198 B, JYOLSNATHANEDATH PARAMBA P.O., KARAPARAMBA CALICUT-673 010. 25. DR. PRAVEENA A.K. PAIKATTUMANA, KIZHUPILLIKKARA P.O., KATTOOR (VIA) THRISSUR DISTRICT-680 704. 26. DR. LUCY T.K. THAKARAPPILLIL HOUSE, KODANCHERI P.O. KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, KERALA-673 580. 27. DR. DURGA E. EDAKKUNNU WARRIAM, P.O.PAZHUVIL, THRISSUR-680 564. 28. DR. SMITHA K. INDU VIHAR, KAKKANAD, KOCHI 682 030 29. DR. LIGY M.K. MARAKKATH HOUSE, PERAKAM P.O., CHAVAKKAD VIA THRISSUR-680 506. 30. DR. SIVAPRASADAM V. SUGUNALAYAM, THALAKULATHUR, KOZHIKODE 673 001 31. DR.SHEENA M.K. 'MADATARAMBIL HOUSE, AVINISSERY P.O., THRISSUR 680 313 32. DR. AJISH K.V. HARI OM, NADUKKAVUNGAL, CHEMRAKKATHUR P.O. MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-673 639. ## **W.A. 42 OF 2012** 33. DR. SHIJI P.K. PULLISSERY HOUSE, THOTTIPPAL P.O., THRISSUR-680 310. 34. DR. RETNAKUMAR R. SIVALAYAM, KOZHUVALLOOR P.O., CHENGANNOOR ALAPPUZHA 68952 35. DR. SASIKALA V.S. VALAPPIL HOUSE, THUMPOLLY P.O., ALAPPUZHA- 688008 36. DR. APARNA V.N. PUTHEN VEEDU, MUHAMMA P.O., ALAPPUZHA-688 525. 37. DR. SMITHA G. PANICKER VAZHAYIL HOUSE, PUTHANANGADI P.O., KOTTAYAM-686 001. 38. DR. PRAHLAD K. KUTTICHATHU HOUSE, PERNTHURUTH P.O., KOTTAYAM 686 001 39. DR. PREETHY G.NAIR VANDANATHU HOUSE, VALLICHIRA P.O., PALA KOTTAYAM 686 592 40. DR. LALU T.R. THEKKUTTU HOUSE, THRIPRAYA, VALAPPAD P.O. THRISSUR DISTRICT 680 567 41. DR. SREEJITH S. 'SREEVILLA', THEERDHAPADAPURAM P.O. KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686 505. 42. DR. SUGESH KUMAR G.S. CHERIYA MAVILAPPADI, AVALA P.O., MEPPAYYOOR VIA KOZHIKODE DISTRICT-673 524. 43. DR. C.K.SUSHANTH PUTHIYOTTIL HOUSE, NEAR R.S.ROAD, VADAKARA KOZHIKODE-673 010. 44. DR. K.SIVADAS MENON KRISHNA VIHAR, KARINJALIPPALAM, CHITTUR POST PALAKKAD-678 010. 45. DR. VIDYA V.S. VICHITHRA HOUSE, PADINJAREKKARA P.O., VAIKOM KOTTAYAM-686 146. 46. DR. K.A.RAVINARAYANA KUMAR NARAYANA NIVAS, KODAKKAD P.O., KASARAGOD-671 357. ## **W.A. 42 OF 2012** **==> picture [19 x 8] intentionally omitted <==** 47. DR. SUMY C.R. SREEVATSAM, THEKKUMBHAGOM, THRIPPUNITHURA ERNAKULAM 682 031 48. DR. P.NILEENA NO.4, TEACHERS APARTMENT C/O. DR. T.V.THULASIDHARAN M.G.UNIVERSITY, P.D.HILLS P.O., KOTTAYAM 686 560 49. DR. K.T.BEENA RAJEEV VIHAR, KUMARANELLUR P.O., PALAKKAD DISTRICT 678 541 50. DR. SREEJA J. 'SREE', NEAR PANCHAYATH OFFICE, ALATHUR P.O. PALAKKAD DISTRICT-678 541. 51. DR. MAJIDA HYDER ALI ARIYATTIL HOUSE, CHUNGAM, P.O.PATTIKKAD MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-679 325. 52. THE KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, PSC OFFICE, PATTOM THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. R1-R51 BY ADV. SRI.N.NANDAKUMARA MENON (SR.) SRI.P.K.MANOJKUMAR SMT.HENA BAHULEYAN THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 23-01-2012, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: **MANJULA CHELLUR, Ag. C.J. & P.R. RAMACHANDRA MENON J.** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ W.A. No. 42 Of 2012 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dated, this the 23[rd] day of January, 2012 ## **JUDGMENT** ## **Manjula Chellur, Ag.C.J.** Heard the learned Government Pleader as well as the learned counsel representing the respondents. The present appeal is filed against the interim order of the learned Single Judge, which reads as under : ## “Admit. The learned Government Pleader takes notice for the first respondent. The learned standing counsel takes notice for the third respondent. Issue notice by speed post to the second respondent. Ext.P2 is the ranked list drawn and published by the Kerala Public Service Commission for appointment to the post of Medical Officer (Ayurveda)/Assistant Insurance Medical Officer (Ayurveda) in the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine/Insurance Medical Service. Ext.P2 list would expire on 14.6.2012. **W.A No. 42 of 2012** : 2 : The specific contention of the petitioners raised in ground E of the Writ Petition is that at present, a large number of substantive vacancies in the post of Medical Officer (Ayurveda) are occupied by temporary hands who have been appointed by the concerned District Medical Officers and those vacancies are not being reported to effect advice from Ext.P2. Prima facie, I am of the considered view that in the light of the decision of the Hon'ble Apex Court in State of M.P v. Dharam Bir reported in (1998) 6 SCC 165, such vacancies held by the temporary hands are to be treated as vacant for the purpose of recruitment on regular basis as well. In that view of the matter, there will be a direction to the second respondent to report all vacancies in the post of Medical Officer (Ayurveda) presently held by the temporary hands to the third respondent, expeditiously, at any rate, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Respondents 1 and 2 shall also file a statement/affidavit showing the vacancy position in the post of Medical Officer (Ayurveda)”. 2. The learned Government Pleader has brought to our notice Rule 5 of Part II Kerala State and Subordinate Service Rules to contend that the **W.A No. 42 of 2012** : 3 : vacancies on account of leave and deputation with a duration of less than six months cannot be treated as a substantive vacancy. Therefore, if the duration is more than six months or a vacancy which is likely to prolong for a longer duration only can be treated as a substantive vacancy and not all the vacancies where temporary postings are given for short duration. 3. The criterion for disposal of the writ petition would be whether the temporary postings are given against the short duration vacancies or vacancies of more than six months duration or vacancies likely to prolong for a long duration. Unless this is clarified by way of giving all the lists by the appellants, the writ petition cannot be decided. However, as the present appeal is only against an interim order, under sub Article (3) of Article 226 the appellant can seek for vacation of the interim direction granted. Therefore, we direct the appellant to approach the learned Single Judge ## **W.A No. 42 of 2012** : 4 : seeking intervention of the Court to decide the matter in view of the counter affidavit which is already filed by the appellant State. 4. The learned senior counsel representing the party respondents undertakes to co-operate with the appellant for disposal of the matter under Article 226 (3). In the light of the above observations, the Writ Appeal is disposed of. Sd/- **MANJULA CHELLUR, (Ag. CHIEF JUSTICE)** Sd/- **P. R. RAMACHANDRA MENON, (JUDGE)** kmd /True copy/ P.A. to Judge