High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeWrit petitions disposed of partly in the manner...

T A Rajasree v. State of Kerala and others (WP(C).Nos. 15575 of 2013 (V) and 14031 of 2014 (D))

Case / Petition Number:WP(C).No.15575 of 2013 (V); WP(C).No.14031 of 2014 (D)

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar
Judgment Date
2014-09-30
Court Decision / Holding
The court allowed the petitions in part. For WP(C).No.15575/2013, Ext.P9 (finding the petitioner not qualified for H.S.A. English) was quashed to the extent it denied approval; the 3rd respondent was directed to pass fresh orders approving the appointment as H.S.A. (English) with effect from 21.7.2004 within one month, and to disburse salary and allowances due to the petitioner within three months. The court held that the petitioner’s qualification as Post Graduate in English and/or alternate B.Ed. in Maths satisfied the vacancy requirements on the date the vacancy arose, and that de facto appointment during managerial disputes could be protected. For WP(C).No.14031/2014, the court quashed Exts.P19 and P20 to the extent they denied pay/all allowances for the regularised break-in-service in the H.S.A. (Social Studies) post, held that the break-in- service regularisation must apply for all purposes, and directed payment as appropriate; the petitioner was deemed to be working as H.S.A. (Social Studies) from 15.7.2006 onwards without time limit.
Final Disposition
Writ petitions disposed of partly in the manner described: Ext.P9 quashed to the extent of denying H.S.A. (English) appointment; fresh orders to be issued approving the appointment with effect from 21.7.2004, and salary payable within specified period; in WP(C).No.14031/2014, break-in-service regularisation to be extended to pay/allowances; petitioner deemed to be working as H.S.A. (Social Studies) from 15.7.2006 onwards without time limit; final directives issued accordingly.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • T A RAJASREE
  • SMT.S.RAJASREE

Respondents

  • STATE OF KERALA
  • THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, KOLLAM
  • THE DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL OFFICER, PUNALUR
  • THE MANAGER, A.P.P.M.V.H.S.S, AVANEESWARAM.P.O, KUNNIKODE, KOLLAM DISTRICT
  • SHRI.P.ANILKUMAR, H.S.A.(S.S), A.P.P.M.V.H.S.S, AVANEESWARAM.P.O KUNNIKODE, KOLLAM DISTRICT
  • SMT.L.PREETHAKUMARI, UPSA, A.P.P.M.V.H.S.S, AVANEESWARAM.P.O KUNNIKODE, KOLLAM DISTRICT

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Sri K. Jaju Babu
  • • Smt. M. U. Vijayalakshmi
  • • Sri Brijesh Mohan
  • • Sri T. R. Sadeesan

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Sri K. A. Jaleel
  • • Sri V. A. Muhammed
  • • Sri K. E. Hamza
  • • Sri M. R. Anison
  • • Sri K. P. Geetha Mani
  • • Sri P. A. Rinusa

Case Synopsis & Summary

The petition concerns appointment of teachers in a Kerala government-aided school under the Kerala Education Rules (KER). The petitioner in WP(C)No.15575/2013, TA Rajasree, initially served as UPSA and was later promoted to H.S.A. (English) on 21.7.2004, after being accommodated against a vacancy in Maths and then being considered under qualifications prescribed by G.O. No.11/2002/G.Edn. The central dispute is whether her appointment as H.S.A. (English) could be approved given qualification requirements and the absence of an approved Manager in the school during 2002–2007. The 5th respondent challenged Ext.P2 and Ext.P4 orders that granted and extended appointment, while the government sought to rely on KER provisions, Full Bench precedents, and staff-fixation rules to contend that the appointment could be void. The court examined the eligibility criteria on the vacancy date, the de facto principle during managerial disputes, and the relevant KER chapters and rules. It quashed the adverse findings in Ext.P9 (not qualified for H.S.A. English) and directed fresh government action to approve the appointment with back salary as applicable. It also addressed a separate challenge in WP( C).No.14031/2014, holding that regularisation of a break in service for H.S.A. (Social Studies) must extend to pay and allowances as well, and declared the petitioner to be in post with effect from 15.7.2006. Overall disposition: partial relief to petitioners, with directions for re-approval and salary disbursal.

Provisions of Law Cited

Kerala Education Act (K.E.Act) - Section 11Kerala Education Rules (KER) - Chapter XXIIIKER - Chapter XXXIKER - Rule 9 (Chapter XIV(A))KER - Rule 1(4) (Chapter XIV(A))KER - Rules 51 and 55 (Chapter XIV(A))

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • De facto principle (recognised) during managerial disputes (Rule 9 of Chapter XIV(A) of KER)
  • Eligibility determined on the date of occurrence of the vacancy (Padmanabhan Nair v. Dy. Director, 1991 (1) KLT 337 (FB))
  • Vacancy in a core subject to be filled by a person qualified for that subject (Padmakumar v. D.P.I., 2001 (2) KLT 288)
  • Protection of teachers in retrenchment/reversion only as provided by government orders (Minimole v. State of Kerala, 2012 (4) KLT 719; State of Kerala v. Minimole, 2012 (2) KLT 857)
  • Qualification extensibility to Post Graduate degree for eligibility (Bindu Thomas v. State of Kerala, 2008 (1) KLT 89)
  • Assistant Educational Officer v. P.R.Mamoo (1968 KLT 556 (FB)) - Managerial appointment authority and de facto authority concepts

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners argued that on 21.7.2004, when the vacancy for H.S.A. (English) arose, the petitioner was the only qualified candidate available and deserving of appointment as H.S.A. (English) given KER Chapters XXIII/XXXI and the Full Bench decision in Padmanabhan Nair. They contended that eligibility must be determined as on the vacancy date and that the post of H.S.A. (English) could be filled by a person qualified in English (including PG in English, per Bind u Thomas). They relied on the de facto principle to protect appointments during managerial disputes and on Padmakumar and Anil Kumar to argue that the presence or absence of a Manager could not thwart a rightful appointment when no other candidate exists.

Contentions of Respondents

The Government and education department contended that the appointment of the petitioner as H.S.A. (English) with effect from 21.7.2004 was void ab initio due to lack of an approved Manager in the school, and that two other teachers available at that time were qualified for the post; they argued for adherence to Section 11 of the K.E.Act and KER Chapters XIV(A), XXIII/XXXI and related rules, to justify staff-fixation and retrenchment-related protections. They asserted that Ext.P9 denying qualification was correct and that any relief must await a proper managerial order or a proper vacancy-calibration under rule-bound procedures; they relied on Minimole decisions to limit protection and on Mamoo to emphasize managers’ powers.

Cited Precedents (7)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Padmanabhan Nair v. Dy. Director1991 (1) KLT 337 (F.B.)PositiveCited to support the rule that eligibility for a vacancy must be determined on the date of occurrence of the vacancy.
Padmakumar v. Director of Public Instruction2001 (2) KLT 288PositiveCited to support the principle that the vacancy for a subject can be filled only by a person qualified in that subject.
Bindu Thomas v. State of Kerala2008 (1) KLT 89PositiveCited to support that P.G. degree in the subject can satisfy eligibility when the post requires a degree in that subject.
Minimole v. State of Kerala2012 (4) KLT 719PositiveCited to delineate that protection against retrenchment/reversion applies where such protection is necessitated by post-creation circumstances.
State of Kerala v. Minimole2012 (2) KLT 857PositiveCited as the companion decision clarifying the scope of protection in similar retrenchment/reversion contexts.
Anil Kumar v. State of Kerala2009 (3) KLT 650 (FB)Mentioned OnlyCited for background regarding Full Bench discussions on revision petitions; court did not rely on it for determining the present dispute.
Assistant Educational Officer v. P.R.Mamoo1968 KLT 556 (FB)PositiveCited to emphasize managerial powers and the de facto principle during disputed management periods.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT:** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.K.JAYASANKARAN NAMBIAR** **TUESDAY, THE 30TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2014/8TH ASWINA, 1936** ## **WP(C).No. 15575 of 2013 (V)** **----------------------------** ## **PETITIONER(S)/PETITIONER:** **------------------------------------------------** **T A RAJASREE, H.S.A.(ENGLISH), A.P.P.M.V.H.S.S, AVANEESWARAM.P.O KUNNIKODE, KOLLAM DISTRICT.** **BY ADVS.SRI.K.JAJU BABU SMT.M.U.VIJAYALAKSHMI** **SRI.BRIJESH MOHAN SRI.T.R.SADEESAN** ## **RESPONDENT(S)/RESPONDENTS:** **----------------------------------------------------** ## **1. STATE OF KERALA,** - **REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT GENERAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, GOVT. SECRETARIAT THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.** **2. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, KOLLAM-691001.** **3. THE DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL OFFICER, PUNALUR-691305.** ## **4. THE MANAGER,** **A.P.P.M.V.H.S.S, AVANEESWARAM.P.O, KUNNIKODE KOLLAM DISTRICT. PIN-691508.** **5. SHRI.P.ANILKUMAR, H.S.A.(S.S), A.P.P.M.V.H.S.S, AVANEESWARAM.P.O KUNNIKODE, KOLLAM DISTRICT-691508.** ## **6. SMT.L.PREETHAKUMARI,** - **UPSA, A.P.P.M.V.H.S.S, AVANEESWARAM.P.O KUNNIKODE, KOLLAM DISTRICT-691508.** ## **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013** ## **7. SMT.S.RAJASREE,** **UPSA, A.P.P.M.V.H.S.S, AVANEESWARAM.P.O KUNNIKODE, KOLLAM DISTRICT-691508.** **R1 -R 3 BY ADV. SRI.K.A.JALEEL, ADDL. ADVOCATE GENERAL R7 BY ADV. SRI.V.A.MUHAMMED R7 BY ADV. SRI.K.E.HAMZA R5 BY ADV. SRI.M.R.ANISON R5 BY ADV. SMT.K.P.GEETHA MANI R5 BY ADV. SMT.P.A.RINUSA** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 30-09-2014 ALONG WITH W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** ## **WP(C).No. 15575 of 2013 (V)** ## **APPENDIX** **PETITIONER(S)' EXHIBITS -------------------------------------** **EXHIBIT-P1: COPY OF REVISION PETITIONER FILED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE IST RESPONDENT DATED 21.11.2005.** **EXHIBIT-P2: COPY OF G.O.(RT)NO.3395/06/G.EDN.DATED 3.8.2006 ISSUED BY THE IST RESPONDENT** **EXHIBIT-P3: COPY OF GO.(RT)NO.5495/06.G.EDN.DATED 20.12.2006 ISSUED BY THE IST RESPONDENT** **EXHIBIT-P4: COPY OF ORDER NO.B3-7856/05 DATED 24.01.07 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT** **EXHIBIT-P5: COPY OF ORDER NO.B3-765/07 DATED 25.10.2007 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT** **EXHIBIT-P6: COPY OF ORDER NO.D.DIS.B2-4212/2006 DATED 21.7.2006 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT** **EXHIBIT-P7: COPY OF JUDGMENT DATED 26.07.2012 IN WP(C) NOS.2387/2009,24079/2009 AND CONNECTED CASES OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT.** **EXHIBIT-P8: COPY OF HEARING NOTICE DATED 12.10.2012 VIDE NO.48782/E2/2012/G.EDN ISSUED BY THE IST RESPONDENT** **EXHIBIT-P9: COPY OF ORDER DATED 31.05.2013 VIDE 22790/2013/G.EDN ISSUED BY THE IST RESPONDENT** **EXHIBIT-P10: COPY OF CIRCULAR DATED 6.2.2010 VIDE NO.74487/J2/09/G.EDN ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT.** **EXHIBIT-P11: COPY OF COUNTER IN WP(C)23870/2009 FILED BY THE IST RESPONDENT BEFORE THIS HON'BLE COURT.** **EXHIBIT-P12: COPY OF ORDER GO (RT) NO.4987/2013/G.EDN., DATED 25.11.2013.** **WP(C).No. 15575 of 2013 (V)** **EXHIBIT-P13: COPY OF ORDER NO.B3/5149/12/K. DIS. DATED 7.12.2013 ISSUED BY** **THE 3RD RESPONDENT.** **RESPONDENT(S)' EXHIBITS:** **EXHIBIT-R5(A): COPY OF ARGUMENT NOTE DATED 9.10.2012 EXCLUDING THE DOCUMENTS.** **//TRUE COPY//** **P.S. TO JUDGE** ## **A.K.JAYASANKARAN NAMBIAR, J. ------------------------------W.P.(C).NO.15575 OF 2013 (V) & W.P.(C).NO.14031 OF 2014 (D) ----------------------------------Dated this the 30[th] day of September, 2014** ## **J U D G M E N T** Since both the writ petitions involve a common issue, they are taken up together for consideration and disposal by this common judgment. The petitioner in W.P.(C).No.15575/2013 is the 5[th] respondent in W.P.(C).No.14031/2014 and the petitioner in the latter writ petition is the 5[th] respondent in the former. For the sake of convenience, the reference to facts and exhibits are from W.P.(C). No.15575/2013. 2. The petitioner was appointed as UPSA under the 4[th] respondent School with effect from 1.6.2001. She is a person who possesses the qualifications of B.Sc. in Maths, M.A. in English and a B.Ed. in Maths. While working as a UPSA, she was accommodated against a leave vacancy of H.S.A. (Maths) for the period from 29.10.2002 to 12.3.2003. Thereafter in the academic year 2004-05, the petitioner was promoted as H.S.A. (English) with effect from **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** **2** 21.7.2004. At the time of arising of the vacancy in the post of H.S.A. (English), namely, 21.7.2004, the qualification to be possessed by a candidate seeking appointment to the post of H.S.A. (English) was prescribed by Government Order G.O.(MS).No.11/2002/G.Edn. dated 7.11.2002 as follows: (1) A Degree in English Language and literature and (2) B.Ed/BT/LT with English as optional subject confirmed or recognized by any of the Universities in Kerala; / in the absence of those with qualification in item No.(2), candidates with B.Ed./BT/LT in any other subject confirmed or recognized by any of the Universities in Kerala will be considered. It would appear that this qualification that was prescribed by the aforesaid Government Order was subsequently incorporated in Rule 2 (x) of Chapter XXXI of the Kerala Education Rules, hereinafter referred to as the 'KER'. The petitioner, as already noted, had a degree in English language and Literature but did not have a B.Ed. with English as an optional subject. However, taking into account the fact that there was no other candidate who was willing to be considered for the post of H.S.A. (English) as on that date, the **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** **3** petitioner was appointed in view of her alternate qualification of B.Ed. in Maths, for the post of H.S.A. (English). It was thus that the petitioner came to be appointed as H.S.A. (English) with effect from 21.7.2004. 3. When the appointments of the petitioner, as H.S.A. (Maths) for the period from 29.10.2002 to 12.3.2003 and as H.S.A. (English) with effect from 21.7.2004, was sent for approval to the Educational Authorities, the said appointments were not approved stating that there was no approved Manager in the School. Against the rejection of approval, to the appointments of the petitioner, she preferred a revision petition before the 1[st] respondent. The 1[st] respondent vide Ext.P2 order dated 3.8.2006, approved the appointment of the petitioner as H.S.A. (Maths), but the said order did not contain any finding with regard to the approval of the appointment of the petitioner as H.S.A. (English). In view of this lacuna, the petitioner preferred a review petition before the 1[st] respondent. That resulted in Ext.P3 order dated 20.12.2006, whereby the 1[st] respondent directed the approval of the appointment of the petitioner as H.S.A. (English) **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** **4** with effect from 21.7.2004. Pursuant to Ext.P3 order of the 1[st] respondent, Ext.P4 consequential order was also passed whereby the appointment of the petitioner as H.S.A. (English) was approved for the period from 21.7.2004 to 14.7.2006. By yet another order namely Ext.P5 dated 25.10.2007, the approval of the appointment of the petitioner as H.S.A. (English) was made effective from 21.7.2004 onwards without any time limit. It would appear that, in the meanwhile, against Ext.P4 order that was passed consequent to Ext.P3 order of the 1[st] respondent, the 5[th] respondent approached this Court through W.P.(C).No.15048/2007 challenging both Ext.P3 order as also Ext.P4 consequential order. The writ petition was dismissed by Ext.P8 judgment dated 13.8.2007. It was immediately thereafter that Ext.P5 order dated 25.10.2007 was passed which approved the appointment of the petitioner as H.S.A. (English) with effect from 21.7.2004 onwards without any time limit. The 5[th] respondent preferred an appeal (W.A.No.2410/2007) against Ext.P8 judgment of this Court. The said appeal was later referred to the Full Bench, to decide upon the issue as to whether a review petition would lie against an order passed by the Government in a revision application. **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** **5** The Full Bench that considered the issue in its judgment reported in **Anil Kumar v. State of Kerala** - **[2009 (3) KLT 650 (F.B.)],** found that a review petition against the decision of the Government in a revision, would not lie under the KER. The judgment of the Full Bench however left open the right of the petitioner to challenge Ext.P2 order, in respect of the approval for his appointment to the post of H.S.A. (English), through appropriate proceedings. In the Full Bench judgment, there is also a discussion with regard to the inter se rights of the petitioner and the 5[th] respondent with which we need not be concerned at this stage. 4. Pursuant to the rights reserved to the petitioner by the Full Bench judgment referred to above, the petitioner filed W.P.(C). No.23870/2009 challenging Ext.P2 order. The said writ petition was heard along with W.P.(C).No.24079/2009 filed by the 5[th] respondent claiming that he should be allowed to continue as H.S.A. (Social Studies) in the vacancy of H.S.A. (English) to which the petitioner was accommodated. There were two other writ petitions W.P.(C). No.9749/2009 and W.P.(C).No.15939/2009 filed by appointees to the **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** **6** vacancies that resulted pursuant to the appointment of the petitioner and the 5[th] respondent as HSA's. All these writ petitions were considered together and by Ext.P7 judgment dated 26.7.2012, this Court quashed Ext.P2 order that was impugned by the petitioner, to the extent the petitioner's claim for approval as H.S.A. (English) had not been considered in the said judgment. As regards the finding in Ext.P2 order with regard to the approval of the appointment of the petitioner as H.S.A. (Maths), the said finding was confirmed. The 1[st] respondent was also directed to consider the claim of the petitioner for approval of her appointment as H.S.A. (English) with effect from 21.7.2004, afresh. It would appear that pursuant to Ext.P7 judgment of this Court, the 1[st] respondent heard all the interested parties and by Ext.P9 order dated 31.5.2003 found that the petitioner was not qualified for appointment as H.S.A. (English). As a consequence, it was found that the 5[th] respondent could be retained in the post of H.S.A. (English) based on Ext.P10 Circular dated 6.2.2010. As a consequential order to Ext.P9 order of the 1[st] respondent, Exts.P12 and P13 orders have also been passed. In the writ petition, Exts.P9, P12 an P13 orders are impugned. **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** **7** 5. In W.P.(C).No.14031/2014 also the challenge is against the appointment of the petitioner in W.P.(C).No.15575/2013 as H.S.A. (English) with effect from 21.7.2004, to the extent it effects the prospects of the petitioner (the 5[th] respondent in W.P.(C). No.15575/2013) with effect from 15.7.2006 when consequent to a staff fixation order, one post of H.S.A. (Social Studies) was found to be in excess and as a result, the petitioner, faced the prospect of reversion as UPSA. The said writ petition also deals with the claim of the petitioner therein with regard to regularisation of his service as H.S.A. (Social Studies) for the period from 15.7.2006 till 6.10.2009 without any break in service, a benefit that was eventually granted to him by Ext.P18 order dated 31.5.2013 and Exts.P19 and P20 consequential orders passed thereafter. In the writ petition, the petitioner therein is aggrieved by Exts.P19 and P20 only to the extent that they deny the benefit of regularisation of a break in service for the purposes of grant of pay and allowances to the petitioner after regularising the said break in service for all other purposes. This is the only other point that arises for consideration in W.P.(C). **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** **8** No.14031/2014. 6. Counter affidavits have been filed by the Government in both the writ petitions wherein they seek to justify the orders impugned in the said writ petitions. The contents of the counter affidavits of the respondents in both the writ petitions being similar to the contentions in the writ petitions preferred by them, are not dealt with separately at this stage. 7. I have heard learned senior counsel Sri.K.Jaju Babu appearing on behalf of the petitioner in W.P.(C).No.15575/2013, learned senior counsel Smt.V.P.Seemandini appearing on behalf of the petitioner in W.P.(C).No.14031/2014, Sri.V.A.Muhammed, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the 7[th] respondent in W.P.(C). No.15575/2013 and for the 6[th] respondent in W.P.(C).No.14031/2014 and Sri.K.A.Jaleel, learned Additional Advocate General appearing on behalf of respondents 1 to 3 in W.P.(C).No.15575/2013 and respondents 1 to 3 in W.P.(C).No.14031/2014. **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & 9 W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** 8. Learned senior counsel Sri.K.Jaju Babu appearing on behalf of the petitioner in W.P.(C).No.15575/2013 would rely on the provisions of Chapter XXIII and XXXI of the KER to contend that in 2004, when a vacancy arose to the post of H.S.A. (English) in the 4[th] respondent's School, the petitioner was the only qualified hand available for appointment to the post of H.S.A. (English). The decision of the Full Bench of this Court in **Padmanabhan Nair v. Dy. Director** - **[1991 (1) KLT 337 (F.B.)]** is relied upon for contending that the eligibility of a candidate to a post has to be reckoned on the date of occurrence of the vacancy, and in the instant case, the petitioner was the only qualified candidate available for appointment to the vacancy that arose with effect from 21.7.2004. It is also pointed out that in view of the fact that the vacancy arose in the post of H.S.A. (English), it could be filled only by appointment of a person who was qualified to be appointed as H.S.A. (English) and not by any other person. In support of the said contention, reliance is placed on the decision reported in **Padmakumar v. Director of Public Instruction** - **[2001 (2) KLT 288]** . It is also pointed out that at the time of appointment of the petitioner as H.S.A. (English), there was no **10** ## **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** contingency that led to any H.S.A. in a core subject facing the prospect of either reversion or retrenchment. Thus, there was no occassion for applying the principles of protection in respect of any H.S.A. in a core subject, by accommodating him/her as H.S.A. (English), to the vacancy that fell due with effect from 21.7.2004. It is pointed out that it is only if and when such a situation arises that the requirement of accommodating a H.S.A. in a core subject as H.S.A. (English), in preference to an alternatively qualified candidate would arise, as was held in the decisions reported in **Minimole v. State of Kerala** - **[2012 (4) KLT 719]** as approved by the Division Bench in **State of Kerala v. Minimole** - **[2012 (2) KLT 857]** . Lastly, reliance was also placed on the decision reported in **Bindu Thomas v. State of Kerala** - **[2008 (1) KLT 89]** for the proposition that when the eligibility requirement for a post is a Degree in any subject, the same would also take in a Post Graduate Degree in the subject and it did not mean only a Bachelor's degree in the subject. This last submission is made in the backdrop of the fact that in Ext.P9 order of the 1[st] respondent, the petitioner is found to be not qualified for the post of H.S.A. (English) only for the reason that she did not possess a **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** **11** Bachelor's Degree in English. It is the contention of the learned senior counsel that the said finding in Ext.P9 order, which forms the basis of the said order holding the petitioner to be not qualified, cannot be legally sustained in view of the judgment referred to above as also the fact that the issue as to whether the petitioner was qualified or not for the post of H.S.A. had already been found in favour of the petitioner in an earlier litigation between the petitioner and the Government as also by the observations of the Full Bench in the decision reported in **Anil Kumar's case [supra]** . 9. Per contra, learned senior counsel appearing on behalf of the 5[th] respondent would contend that the appointment of the petitioner as H.S.A. (English) with effect from 21.7.2004 was void ab initio inasmuch as between 2002 and 2007, there was no approved Manager in the School who alone was competent to make appointments going by the express provisions of Section 11 of the Kerala Education Act, hereinafter referred to as the 'K.E.Act', as clarified by a Full Bench of this Court in **Assistant Educational Officer v. P.R.Mamoo** - **[1968 KLT 556 (F.B.)]** . It is further **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** **12** pointed out that as on 21.7.2004, when the vacancy to the post of H.S.A. (English) arose, there were two other teachers in the School who had the necessary qualification for being posted as H.S.A. (English). The said teachers, namely, Smt.Ajithakumari Kunjamma, who was working as H.S.A. (Social Studies)) and Smt.Sreelatha, who was working as H.S.A. (Physical Science) were both qualified for the post of H.S.A. (English) and the appointment to the vacancy that arose with effect from 21.7.2004 should ideally having been done by appointing one of the said teachers in preference to the petitioner. In this connection, reliance is placed on Rule 1(4) of Chapter XIV(A) of the KER read with Rules 51 and 55 thereof which would indicate that the Manager of a School had to follow directions issued from time to time for ascertaining availability of qualified hands and for filling up of vacancies. The Manager had also to keep in mind the principles with regard to the retrenchment of teachers especially that mandating that the junior most be sent out first before the senior and also that while deciding the issue as to which teacher had to be retrenched, the minimum subject requirement criteria as per the KER had also to be borne in mind. The provisions of Rule 3 and Rule 6.I of Chapter XXIII **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & 13 W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** of the KER are also relied upon for contending that, pursuant to the decision of the Government to introduce English as an additional subject, the amendment of the Rules indicated that English was brought in as an additional language and the post of H.S.A. (English) had to be sanctioned on the basis of periods allocated to the said subject and that the implementation itself was to be in a phased manner without causing any inconvenience to the existing H.S.A.'s in core subjects. Essentially it is contended by the learned senior counsel that the appointment of the petitioner in W.P.(C). No.15575/2013 as H.S.A. (English) with effect from 21.7.2004 was the sole reason why, when consequent to the staff fixation of 2006-07, there arose a situation where one of the H.S.A.'s (Social Studies) was rendered surplus, the petitioner was faced with a reversion. It is contended that in the staff fixation order in 2006-07, the 5[th] respondent was continued as a H.S.A. (English) without being reverted only because there was no valid appointment to the post of H.S.A. (English) prior to that date in the School. As regards the other grievance of the 5[th] respondent, which is expressly raised in W.P.(C). No.14031/2014 filed by him, it is pointed out that there is absolutely **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** **14** no justification for the findings in Exts.P18, P19 and P20 orders that, although the service of the petitioner as H.S.A. (Social Studies) is regularised and approved with effect from 15.7.2006 till 6.10.2009, the said regularisation would not be applicable for the purposes of disbursal of pay and allowances to the petitioner in that writ petition. 10. I have considered the facts and circumstances of the case as also the submissions made across the Bar. In W.P.(C). No.15575/2013, Ext.P9 order that is impugned is one that is passed pursuant to Ext.P7 judgment. In Ext.P9 order, the sole ground on which the petitioner is found not qualified for the post of H.S.A. (English) is that she is not a Bachelor's Degree holder in English. There is no other reason stated in Ext.P9 as to why the petitioner's appointment as H.S.A. (English) with effect from 21.7.2004 could not be approved. In view of the decision in **Bindu Thomas v. State of Kerala** - **[2008 (1) KLT 89]** , this cannot be a valid ground to disentitle the petitioner for the post in question. What is then to be considered is whether the petitioner was qualified for the post in question as on the date of arising of the vacancy for it is that date **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** **15** alone which is relevant for the purposes of determining the qualification of the petitioner as already laid down in the Full Bench decision of this Court in **Padmanabhan Nair v. Dy. Director** - **[1991 (1) KLT 337 (F.B.)]** . It is also necessary to note the decision in **Padmakumar v. Director of Public Instruction** - **[2001 (2) KLT 288]** , which clearly holds that the vacancy in the post of a particular subject can be filled only by one who is qualified in that subject. In the case at hand, to the vacancy that arose with effect from 21.7.2004, the petitioner who was a Post Graduate in English and possessed the alternate qualification of a B.Ed. in Maths, was qualified and eligible to be appointed to the post of H.S.A. (English) so long as there was no other qualified hand, to be appointed to the said post. No doubt, the 5[th] respondent has a case that as on that date, there were two other teachers in the School who were better qualified for the post of H.S.A. (English) and were working in the School as H.S.A's. in core subjects. Although, technically, the 5[th] respondent could be right in contending that there were other candidates who were qualified to hold the post in question, I am of the view that in the absence of any claim or willingness expressed by the said qualified **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** **16** HSA's, one would have to assume that there was no other available candidate for the post in question. The petitioner having been the only person who expressed her willingness to be considered for the post of H.S.A. (English) as on 21.7.2014, when the vacancy arose, and having possessed the requisite educational qualification for the post, I am of the view that her appointment as H.S.A. (English) with effect from 21.7.2004 had necessarily to be approved. 11. I must also deal with the other contention of the 5[th] respondent namely that the appointment of the petitioner as H.S.A. (English) was not by an approved Manager since, between 2002 and 2006, there was no approved Manager in the School. No doubt, the provisions of Section 11 of the K.E.Act and also the decision of the Full Bench in **Assistant Educational Officer v. P.R.Mamoo** - **[1968** **KLT 556 (F.B.)]** indicate that only a Manager has the power to make an appointment. In the instant case, there appears to have been a managerial dispute in the School during the relevant period. However, that is not the ground on which the petitioner has been found to be disentitled to the post of H.S.A. (English) by the order **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & 17 W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** impugned in the writ petitions. Under these circumstances, I do not consider it necessary to go into the said issue to ascertain whether it would affect the appointment of the petitioner as H.S.A. (English) with effect from 21.7.2004. In situations like this, it is safer for this Court to rely on the de facto principle for the purposes of protecting the appointments that have been made in the School during the pendency of such managerial disputes. In fact the de facto principle has also been statutorily recognised in Rule 9 of Chapter XIV(A) of the KER. That apart, I also feel that it may not be necessary to re-open and agitate this new point raised by the 5[th] respondent at this belated stage of the proceedings, especially when the 5[th] respondent is not really prejudiced by the appointment of the petitioner as H.S.A. (English) on 21.7.2004. 12. It is relevant to note at this stage that the claim of the 5[th] respondent to the vacancy that arose to the post of H.S.A. (English) with effect from 21.7.2004 can only be vis-a-vis his claim for protection at the time when he faced reversion, pursuant to the staff fixation of 2006-07. The decisions of this Court in **Minimole v. State** **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** **18** **of Kerala** - **[2012 (4) KLT 719]** and **State of Kerala v. Minimole** - **[2012 (2) KLT 857]** clearly hold that the protection envisaged in the Government Orders, dealing with teachers who faced retrenchment or reversion, are applicable only in cases where the prospect of retrenchment or reversion arises consequent to the creation of the post in question. In the instant case, the vacancy to the post of H.S.A. (English) arose on 21.7.2004. The petitioner was appointed to the said vacancy. As a result of this appointment, there was no disturbance to the continuation of the 5[th] respondent as H.S.A. (Social Studies). In that view of the matter, I do not think it is open to the 5[th] respondent to claim the benefit of protection, that was necessitated only in 2006-07, by impugning the appointment of the petitioner which took place as early as on 21.7.2004. The said contention of the 5[th] respondent, also does not persuade me to find against the petitioner in the matter of regularisation of his appointment as H.S.A. (English) with effect from 21.7.2004. Resultantly, I am of the view that Ext.P9 order of the 1[st] respondent, as also Exts.P12 and P13 consequential orders of the 1[st] and 3[rd] respondents, deserve to be quashed to the extent they deny approval to the appointment of the **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** **19** petitioner as H.S.A. (English) with effect from 21.7.2004 without any time limit. I do so. The 3[rd] respondent shall pass fresh orders approving the appointment of the petitioner as H.S.A. (English) in the 4[th] respondent's School with effect from 21.7.2004, within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. The 3[rd] respondent is also directed to disburse the salary and allowances that are due to her within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. 12. With regard to the prayers in W.P.(C).No.14031/2014, I am of the view that the challenge of the petitioner therein against Exts.P19 and P20 orders, to the extent they hold that the break in service of the petitioner as H.S.A. (Social Studies) in the School for the period from 26.10.2007 to 18.11.2007 and 15.7.2008 to 6.10.2009 is regularised for all purposes except for the pay and allowances for the said period, must necessarily succeed. A perusal of Ext.P19 order would clearly indicate that the break in service pertaining to the petitioner's service as H.S.A. (Social Studies) with effect from 15.7.2006 has been regularised by the 1[st] respondent. Thereafter **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & 20 W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** there is no reason given for qualifying the regularisation by making it applicable for all purposes except for pay and allowances. I am of the view that inasmuch as the break in service has been regularised, there is no justification in the 1[st] respondent taking a stand that the regularisation will be valid only for certain purposes. A regularisation of a break in service must entail all consequential benefits flowing from such regularisation. The impugned findings in Exts.P18 and P19 orders have no legal basis and it is therefore that I deem it fit to quash the said orders to the extent they hold that the regularisation of the period of retrenchment from 26.10.2007 to 18.11.2007 and 15.7.2008 to 6.10.2009, will not apply for pay and allowances for the said period. Resultantly, respondents 1 to 4 shall sanction and disburse the salary and other allowances due to the petitioner in the post of H.S.A. (Social Studies) with effect from 15.7.2006 and in particular for the period from 26.10.2007 to 18.11.2007 and 15.7.2008 to 6.10.2009 which period has otherwise been regularised in Exts.P19 and P20 orders of the 1[st] and 3[rd] respondents respectively. The 3[rd] respondent shall effect the payments within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. By way of **W.P.(C).NO.15575/2013 & 21 W.P.(C).NO.14031/2014** clarification, and as a necessary fallout of the findings with regard to W.P.(C).No.15575/2013, it is also declared that the petitioner in W.P. (C).No.14031/2014 shall be deemed to be working as H.S.A. (Social Studies) in the 4[th] respondent's School with effect from 15.7.2006 onwards without any time limit. The writ petitions are disposed as above. **A.K.JAYASANKARAN NAMBIAR JUDGE** prp