IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC THURSDAY, THE 19TH NOVEMBER 2009 / 28TH KARTHIKA 1931 WP(C).No. 21302 of 2008(J) ------------------------------------- PETITIONER(S): ------------------------ 1. SASIDHARAN KANICHUKULANGARA, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION PADANNA, KANHANGAD DIVISION, KASARAGOD CIRCLE, KASARAGOD. 2. SUGATHAN AKKARAMAL, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, BURNASSERY, KANNUR DIVISION, KANNUR CIRCLE, KANNUR. 3. SURESHAN KOLIKKARA, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, TRIKARIPUR, KANHANGAD DIVISION, KASARAGOD CIRCLE. 4. VINODKUMAR.P.V, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, NILESWAR, KANHANGAD DIVISION, KASARAGOD. 5. BABU PONJAN, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, PADANNA, KANHANGAD DIVISION, KASARAGOD CIRCLE. 6. A. UNNIKRISHNAN, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, PADANNA, KANHANGAD DIVISION, KASARAGOD. 7. RAMESHAN.K.T, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, KANHANGAD, KANHANGAD DIVISION, KASARAGOD CIRCLE. 8. SHAJI.B, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, NILESWARAM, KANHANGAD DIVISION, KASARAGOD CIRCLE. 9. CHANDRAN.N.V, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, KANHANGAD, KANHANGAD DIVISION, KASARAGOD CIRCLE. 10. ABDUL RAHIMAN.A, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, CHERKALA, KASARAGOD DIVISION, KASARAGOD CIRLCE. BY ADV. MR.KALEESWARAM RAJ W.P.(C) NO.21302/2008 RESPONDENT(S): ------------------------ 1. KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD, REP. BY THE SECRETARY, KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD, VYDHUTHI BAHVAN, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE CHIEF ENGINEER (HRM), KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 3. SHYAMA PRASAD.T.V, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, NILESWAR. ADDL. R4 TO R25 ARE IMPLEADED 4. RAMESHAN.K., S/O. G.KUNHAMBU, AGED 45 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB., UDMA, RESIDING AT HOTTEL VALAPPIL, CHIRAMMAL, BEKAL P.O., KASARAGOD. 5. SUNEESH.K., AGED 30 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB , CHOYYAMKOD, RESIDING AT EDAKKIYIL- ORIE, PADNE P.O., KASARAGOD. 6. AJITH KUMAR, R.A.V., AGED 29 YEARS, METER READER , ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, TRIKARIPUR, RESIDING AT EDATTUMMAL, TRIKARIPUR P.O., KASARAGOD. 7. RAMESH.K., AGED 31 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, NELLIKKUNNU, RESIDING AT KELUGUDDE HOUSE, RAMADAS NAGAR P.O., KASARAGOD. 8. PRAMOD P., AGED 32 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, KAYYOR, RESIDING AT MUDIKODE VAYAL, CHANDERA, MANIYAT P.O., KASARAGOD. 9. PRASAD V., AGED 29 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, PILIKODE, RESIDING AT VAIKATH HOUSE, METTAMMAL, ELAMBACHI P.O., KASARAGOD. W.P.(C) NO.21302/2008 10. ANIRUDHAN, P.O., AGED 38 YEARS METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, PILIKODE, RESIDING AT PRATHIBHA, PILIKODE P.O., KASARAGOD. 11. SUMITHRAN.M., AGED 29 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, NILESHWAR, RESIDING AT MOOLAKKU HOUSE, ERIKKULAM P.O. NILESHWAR VIA, KASARAGOD. 12. SASIKUMAR.V., AGED 31 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, PILIKODE, RESIDING AT VAIKATH HOUSE, METTAMMAL, ELEMBACHI P.O., KASARAGOD. 13. P.V.SAJEEV, AGED 41 YEARS, METER READER , ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, EDAYAR, RESIDING AT PANATHARA HOUSE, SREEMOOLANAGARAM P.O. ALUVA. 14. AJITH KUMAR. C.S., AGED 29 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB., EDAYAR, RESIDING AT CHADRASSERY HOUSE, NEDUMBASSERY P.O., ALUVA. 15. ELDO.M.I., AGED 37 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, KUNNUKAVU, RESIDING AT MALPAN HOUSE, POIKKATTUSSERY, CHENGAMANAD P.O. 16. ASHIQUE.C.I., AGED 32 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, ALUVA TOWN, RESIDING AT CHAMPARAMBIL HOUSE, U.C.COLLEGE P.O. ALUVA. 17. GIGIN JOSEPH, AGED 27 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB. PERUMBAVOOR, RESIDING AT MUNDACKAL HOUSE, THURUTHY P.O., NEDUNGAPRA. 18. BABU NEERAJ. N.C., AGED 28 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, MANJENT NORTH, RESIDING AT SHREYAS, CBESGARA, IRUVETTY P.O., MALAPURAM. 19. PRAMOD K.G., AGED 28 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, ALUVA, TOWN, RESIDING AT KODIYATTU, EDATHALA P.O. ALUVA. W.P.(C) NO.21302/2008 20. PRADEEP KUMAR, K.P., AGED 33 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, CHENGAMANAD, RESIDING AT KUNNOOR HOUSE, ELAVOOR P.O., ANGAMALY. 21. HANEES BABU.V.C., AGED 28 YEARS, METER READER ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, KONDOTTY, RESIDING KUTTIPPALAM KUNNU HOUSE, NEDIYIRUPPU P.O. MALAPPURAM. 22. ASHRAF.A., THEKKEKUNNATH, AGED 32 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, KSEB, NADAKKAVU , RESIDING AT KALANN KOLLI POYIL, PALATH P.O., KAKKODI, KOZHIKODE. 23. C.B.AJITH KUMAR, AGED 41 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, ALUVA, TOWN, RESIDING AT CHOORAMPILLY HOUSE, EDATHALA P.O., ALUVA. 24. SAJO. K.G., AGED 34 YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB., ALUVA TOWN, RESIDING AT KALLARACKAL HOUSE, CHOWARA P.O., ERNAKULAM. 25. BABU RAN P.S., AGED YEARS, METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION KSEB, ALUVA WEST, RESIDINGAT POOVATHUM PADAVIL HOUSE, DESOM P.O. ALUVA. ADDL. R4 TO R25 ARE IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DTD. 17.9.08 IN IA. 11902/2008. ADDL. R26 TO R 32 ARE IMPLEADED. 26. K.P.SURESH BABU, S/O. K.KUTTYAPPA NAIR, KOROTHU PUTHIYA VEEDU P.O.IRIVERY, KANNUR 670 614 (METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECITON, KSEB., CHAKKARAKAL. 27. RAJEEV K., S/O. P.V.RAGHAVAN, PUTHIYAVEETL, KUNNOTH, PATTANUR P.O., KANNUR 670 595 (METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, KSEB , CHALODE. 28. ARAVIND KUMAR K., INDEEVARAM, POOVATHOOR, KOODALI P.O., KANNUR 670 592 (METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, KSEB, CHALODE. W.P.(C) NO.21302/2008 29. K.V. VIJAYACHANDRAN, KANIYANTHARA HOUSE, VELAPURAM P.O., PAPPINISSERY , KANNUR 670 561, (METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, KSEB., PAPPINISSERY. 30. SHYJU P.P., S/O. SREEDHARAN P.P., SREENILAYAM, NEAR MINI STADIUM P.O., IRINADU, KANNUR 670 301 (METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, KSEB, PAPPINISSERY. 31. ANEESH E., PAROL HOUSE, VELLIKKEEL P.O., MORAZHA, KANNUR DISTRICT 670 331(METER READER, ELECTRICAL SECTION, KSEB, VALAPATANAM, KANNUR. 32. ABDUL KADER.V., S/O. K.KAMAL, VALUPPINAKATT, IRIKOOR, KANNUR. ADDL. 26 TO 32 ARE IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DTD. 28.10.08 IN IA. 11637/2008. ADDL. 33 & 34 ARE IMPLEADED. 33. HANEESH KUMAR I.P., AGED 32 YEARS, S/O. I.K. PEETHAMBARAN, ITTUPARAMBIL HOUSE, NARAKKAL P.O., PIN 682 505, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT. 34. RANJITH M.K., AGED 24 YEARS, S/O. KUNJAPPAN, MURUNGODITHARA HOUSE, EDAVANAKAD P.O., ADDL. 33 & 34 ARE IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DTD. 11.8.09 IN IA.9810/09. R1 & R2 BY ADV. MR.ASHOK M.CHERIYAN, SC, KSEB R3 BY ADVS MR.SAJITH KUMAR V. , SMT.G.R.LEKSHMI. ADDL. R4 & R5 BY MR..V.PHILIP MATHEW SMT.K.K.CHANDRALEKHA FOR ADDL.R MR.GOPAKUMAR G. (ALUVA) FOR ADDL.R R10 BY MR.M.SASINDRAN SRI.SAJITH KUMAR V. FOR ADDL.R1-9,11-22 THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 19/11/2009, ALONG WITH WPC NO. 28454 OF 2008 WPC NO. 25086 OF 2008 WPC NO. 6443 OF 2009 THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: W.P.(C) NO.21302/2008 APPENDIX PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS P1:- COPY OF THE MEMORANDUM OF SETTLEMENT. P2:- COPY OF THE ORDER DTD. 23.1.04 IN WPC. 2861/04. P3:- COPY OF THE PROMOTION ORDER DTD. 15.1.05. P4:- COPY OF THE CIRCULAR DTD. 27.2.08 CONTAINING THE RELEVANT PAGES OF THE GRADATION LIST OF METER READERS. P5:- COPIES OF THE OBJECTIONS FILED BY THE PETITIOENRS ON DIFFERENT DATES. P6:- COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DTD. 17.3.08 IN WPC. 8807/08. P7:- COPIES OF THE REPRESENTATIONS FILED BY THE PETITIOENRS BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT. P8:- COPY OF THE ORDER DTD. 28.6.08. R4(a):- COPY OF THE ORDER DTD. 29.1.01. R4(b):- COPY OF THE ORDER NO.CB2/S.E.(ELE)/MR/2006/4 DTD. 4.11.06. R8(a):- COPY OF THE RELEVANT PAGES OF THE ORDER DTD. 29 .1.01 ISSUED BY THE IST RESPONDENT. R8(b):- COPY OF THE ORDER NO.EB4-120(C) /1999 DTD. 7.2.03 ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE IST RESPONDENT. R8(c):- COPY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THE HONOURABLE HIGH COURT IN WPC. 1078/06 DTD. 3.4.06 ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE IST RESPONDENT. R8(d):- COPY OF THE RELEVANT PAGES OF THE ORDER NO.EB2/S.E.(ELE)/MR/2006/4 DTD. 4.11.06 ISSUED BY THE IST RESPONDENT. R10(a):- COPY OF THE ORDER DTD. 20.1.06 ISSUED BY THE BOARD. R10(b):- COPY OF THE ORDER OF PROMOTION DTD. 4.11.06. TRUE COPY P.S. TO JUDGE tss ANTONY DOMINIC, J. ----------------------------------------------------------------- W.P.(C) Nos.21302/08,25086/08,28454/08 & 6443 OF 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Dated this the 19th day of November, 2009 J U D G M E N T The issue raised in these writ petitions being common, the writ petitions are heard and disposed of by common judgment. For convenience I shall refer to the facts stated and exhibits marked in WP(c).No.25086/08. 2. Petitioners were promoted as meter readers with effect from 15.1.2005. They claimed that their promotions should be with effect from 7.2.2003. It is stated that by Ext.P2 order persons similar to them have been given retrospective promotion and that they also claimed similar treatment, which was directed to be considered by this court. Accordingly, the Board passed Ext.P20 order rejecting their claim. Petitioners submit that if their claim for retrospective promotion with effect from 7.2.2003 is accepted, they will be far senior to the direct recruits, who were advised on 20.12.2004 and joined in March, 2005 and that on that basis they will be eligible for promotion to the higher post of Sub Engineer (Electrical), on an earlier date than the direct recruits. WPC .No.21302/08 & conn. :2 : 3. Although, this contention has been raised, it is now disclosed that in the judgment in WP(c).No.562/09 and connected cases, this court has held that, presently the feeder category for the post of Sub Engineer(Electrical) is Meter reader and that for promotion to the post of Sub Engineer 5 years actual experience in the category of Meter Reader is essential. This judgment has become final. In view of this, the petitioners who joined the post of Meter Reader in January, 2005, will be completing the required length of experience earlier than the direct recruits who joined service only in March, 2005. Consequently, they will become eligible for the higher post earlier to the direct recruits. If so, the relative seniority among the direct recruits and the promotees in the category of Meter Reader has no relevance in so far as their further promotion tot he post of Sub Engineer(Electrical) is concerned. 4. In that view of the matter I do not think it necessary for this court to examine the correctness of Ext.P19 final seniority list of Meter Readers or Ext.P20 order passed by the respondent rejecting the claim of the petitioners for retrospective promotion with effect from 7.2.2003. WPC .No.21302/08 & conn. :3 : Writ petitions are accordingly closed, leaving open the contentions. (ANTONY DOMINIC) JUDGE vi/