IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.GIRI TUESDAY, THE 18TH DECEMBER 2007 / 27TH AGRAHAYANA 1929 WP(C).No. 37474 of 2007(J) ---------------------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------------- SABU.K.DAMODAR, SENIOR HYDRO GEOLOGIST AND DISTRICT OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF GROUND WATER, PATHANAMTHITTA. BY ADV. SRI.S.A.RAZZAK RESPONDENTS: --------------------------- 1. GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, WATER RESOURCES (GROUND WATER) DEPARTMENT, GOVT. OF KERALA, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE DIRECTOR, GROUND WATER DEPARTMENT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI. BEJOY CHANDRAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 18/12/2007, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: V.GIRI,J. ------------------------- W.P ( C) No. 37474 of 2007 -------------------------- Dated this the 18th December, 2007 J U D G M E N T The petitioner is at present working as Senior Hydro Geologist in the Ground Water Department. He is presently posted at Pathanamthittta. He claims that he is a native of Kottayam. Petitioner was promoted under Exhibit P1 order as a Senior Hydro Geologist and posted at Alappuzha. Apparently, the posting at Alappuzha under Exhibit P1 order was pursuant to the request made by the petitioner for a posting in or near Kottayam, which is his home district. By Exhibit P1 order , petitioner was reverted and then posted at Kollam. Later, under Exhibit P2 order he was again promoted and posted as Seniormost Hydro Geologist at Pathanamthitta. Petitioner submits that he has to travel 60 kilo meters everyday from Kottayam to Pathanamthitta. It visits him with serious personal difficulties. The present incumbent at Alappuzha is due to retire on 31.12.2007. He refers to Exhibit P3 in this regard. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that under Exhibits P4 and P5, the Government has made it clear that W.P ( C) No. 37474 of 2007 2 persons belonging to scheduled caste shall be given a preference in the matter of their place of posting. He also submits that they may be given a posting in their place of choice or must be accommodated at the nearest station. Petitioner has submitted Exhibit P7 representation before the Government pointing out these aspects. After having heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader also, this writ petition is disposed of directing the 1st respondent to look into Exhibit P7 and take a decision thereon, in the matter of the request made by the petitioner for a posting in a place of his choice, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. The 1st respondent shall keep in mind Exhibits P4 to P6 while taking a decision in this regard. (V.GIRI, JUDGE) ma W.P ( C) No. 37474 of 2007 3 K.THANKAPPAN,J CRL.A. NO.92 OF 1999 ORDER W.P ( C) No. 37474 of 2007 4 25th May, 2007