IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN MONDAY, THE 7TH MARCH 2011 / 16TH PHALGUNA 1932 WP(C).No. 6965 of 2011(U) ------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- 1. K.V.BAIJU, S/O.LATE BHASKARAN NAIR, AGED 36 YEARS, SUPERINTENDENT, SUB JAIL, KOYILANDY. 2. M.SHAHABDEEN, S/O.MEERA SAHIB, AGED 54 YEARS, SUPERINTENDENT, SUB JAIL, KOTTARAKKARA. BY ADV. SRI.V.A.MUHAMMED SRI.M.SAJJAD RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. THE STATE OF KERALA, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, HOME DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001. 2. THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE (PRISONS), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695012. ADV.MR. ANTONY MUKKATH - GOVT. PLEADER. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 07/03/2011, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S. SIRI JAGAN, J. ----------------------------------- W.P.(C) No.6965 OF 2011 --------------------------------------- Dated this the 7th day of March, 2011 JUDGMENT The petitioners are Assistant Jailors (superintendent, Sub Jail). The next promotion post, to which the petitioners can aspire for, is the post of Deputy Jailor. Formerly, the promotion was strictly on the basis of seniority. But, a new qualification has been introduced, as per which, for such promotion, graduation was prescribed as a minimum qualification. According to the petitioners, since the new qualification was introduced after the petitioners joined service, they are entitled to temporary exemption under Rule 13A(1)(b) of the Kerala State and Subordinate Service Rules. Seeking this relief, the petitioners have filed Exts.P3 and P4 representations before the first respondent. The petitioners seek a direction to the first respondent to consider and pass orders on Exts.P3 and P4. Having heard the learned Government Pleader also, I dispose of this writ petition with a direction to the first W.P.(C)No.6965/11 2 respondent to consider and pass orders on Exts.P3 and P4, after affording an opportunity of being heard to the petitioners, as expeditiously, as possible, at any rate, within three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. S. SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE acd W.P.(C)No.6965/11 3