IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC TUESDAY, THE 8TH DECEMBER 2009 / 17TH AGRAHAYANA 1931 WP(C).No. 12059 of 2009(B) ----------------------------------------- PETITIONER(S): ----------------------- 1. K.P.PRAHLADHAN S/O. KUNHUVELAYUDHAN, "ABHAYAM", MANNANTEPADIKKAL, NEAR DHEVATHIYAL, THENHIPPALAM P.O., PIN-673 636. 2. ASOKAN K., KELAYIL PURAYIL VEEDU, KOLAKKATTUCHALI P.O., CHELEMBRA (VIA) - 673 634. BY ADV. MR.C.K.SREEJITH RESPONDENT(S): --------------------------- 1. THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, DISTRICT OFFICE, MALAPPURAM. 2. THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, REP. BY ITS CHAIRMAN, TRIVANDRUM. 3. THE STATE OF KERALA, REP. BY SECRETARY TO GOVT., AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, TRIVANDRUM. R1 & R2 BY ADV. MR.ALEXANDER THOMAS,SC,KPSC R3 BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER MR. P.NANDAKUMAR THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 08/12/2009 ALONG WITH WPC.NO.21645 OF 2009 AND WPC.NO.23423 OF 2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: Kss WPC.NO.12059/2009 B APPENDIX PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS: P1: COPY OF THE DISCHARGE CERTIFICATE AFTER HAVING COMPLETED 180 DAYS DTD. 27/05/2006. P2: COPY OF THE DISCHARGE CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY OFFICE OF AGRICULTURAL OFFICE KRISHI BHAVAN, KALILEDU DTD. 24/03/1990. P3: COPY OF THE DISCHARGE CERTIFICATE DTD. 13/10/2008. P4: COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PRINCIPAL AGRICULTURAL OFFICER, MALAPPURAM DTD. 8/05/2008. P5: COPY OF THE ORDER NO.(E) 11853/07 DTD. 8/05/2008 OF THE PRINCIPAL AGRICULTURAL OFFICER, MALAPPURAM. P6: COPY OF THE PUBLICATION FOR THE POST OF AGRICULTURAL ASSISTANT GRADE II. P7: COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE SECURITY BOARD OF TECHNICAL EXAMINATION, STATE OF KERALA. P8: COPY OF THE G.O.(MS) NO.332/99 DTD. 20/11/99. P9: COPY OF THE GOVT. ORDER 24/94. P10: COPY OF THE SYLLABUS FOR MGTE. RESPONDENT'S EXHIBITS: N I L /TRUE COPY/ P.A.TO JUDGE Kss ANTONY DOMINIC, J. ================ W.P.(C) NOs. 12059, 21645 & 23423 OF 2009 ================================ Dated this the 8th day of December, 2009 J U D G M E N T Petitioners in WP(C) No.21645/09 possess VHSC in Agricultural Science. In so far as the petitioner in WP(C) Nos.12059/09 and 23423/09 are concerned, they possess the KGTE (Higher) Examination in Agriculture. 2. Their grievance is against the qualification prescribed for the post of Agricultural Assistant Grade II. The qualification prescribed in the Special Rules is Diploma in Agricultural Science awarded by the Kerala Agricultural University, in the absence of diploma holders, VHSC in Agricultural Science and in the absence of the above two, SSLC with Agriculture or its equivalent examination. Referring to Ext.P3 certificate issued by the Kerala Agricultural University, Trichur, petitioners contend that the the course of diploma in Agricultural Science has been discontinued from 1988. It is stated that despite the above, treating BSC degree holders in Agriculture as equivalent to diploma holders as provided in the Special Rules, overlooking the rightful claims of the petitioners, degree holders are now appointed as Agricultural WPC.Nos.12059,21645 & 23423/09 :2 : Assistant Grade II. It is with this grievance these writ petitions have been filed. 3. If as seen from the certificate issued by the Kerala Agricultural University, the course of diploma in Agricultural Science has been discontinued from 1988, the recruitment rules needs to be revisited. This obviously is a policy matter and at least initially the Government alone can do it. It is seen that the petitioners have made representations in this behalf and that there has not been any response from the Government. 4. In so far as the petitioner in WP(C) No.21645/09 is concerned, Ext.P4 is the representation that is made and pending. 5. Having regard to the above, these writ petitions are disposed of directing the 2nd respondent to consider and pass orders on Ext.P4, if the said representation has been received and is pending. Petitioner in WP(C) No.21645/09 is directed to produce a copy of this judgment along with a copy of this writ petition before the 2nd respondent, who shall pass orders as expeditiously as possible, at any rate within 3 months of production of a copy of this judgment. ANTONY DOMINIC, JUDGE Rp