HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA WRI PETITION Nos.22992, 23246, 23247, 23384 and 23561 of 2000 COMMON ORDER: Since the issue involved in these writ petitions is one and the same, they are disposed of by this common order. These Writ Petitions are filed seeking a Writ of Mandamus declaring the proceedings No.E2-A/766/2000, dated 16.11.2000, issued by the Project Officer, Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Eturunagaram, Warangal District, as illegal and arbitrary, and consequently allow the petitioners to continue as G.V.V.K. Teachers/Single Teachers with all consequential benefits. Brief facts in W.P.No.23247 of 2000 are taken as facts of all the cases. In pursuance of the notification dated 28.04.1998 issued by the Project Officer, ITDA, Eturunagaram, Warangal District, inviting applications for the post of Teachers in Girijana Vidya Vikasa Kendra in 113 villages, the petitioners applied and appeared for a written test. Subsequently, they were selected and appointed as G.V.V.K. Teachers/Single Teachers, by various proceedings, and since then they have been working as teachers without any adverse remarks. While the things stood thus, the Project Officer issued memo calling for explanation of the petitioners and also to submit records/documents of evidence, if any, against their recruitment as teachers. In pursuance of the same, the petitioners submitted their explanations. Ultimately, the Project Officer, ITDA, Eturunagaram, Warangal District, issued the impugned proceedings dated 16.11.2000, terminating the services of the petitioners. Questioning the same, the petitioners filed the present writ petitions. A detailed counter-affidavit has been filed on behalf of the respondents contending that the then Project Officer has issued irregular appointment orders to the petitioners violating the procedural norms for the recruitment of G.V.V.K. teacher posts during his tenure. It is further contended that the Commissioner of Tribal Welfare, Hyderabad, basing on the representation made by the local leaders, appointed the Development Officer (FAC), Eturunagaram, as an Enquiry Officer to enquire into the matter and report and accordingly the Enquiry Officer, after thorough investigation into the matter, submitted a report stating that there is a procedural violation in issuing the appointment orders by the then Project Officer. It is further contended that since the procedural norms have been violated by the then Project Officer, the impugned proceedings were issued against the petitioners terminating the services of the petitioners. Heard both sides. While admitting the writ petitions, this Court granted interim suspension of the impugned order. Learned Counsel for the petitioners submits that even before submission of the explanations by the petitioners to the show cause notices issued to them, the enquiry officer submitted his report, on the basis of which the impugned proceedings were passed and, hence, the impugned proceedings are void and opposed to the principles of natural justice. It is to be noticed that simply because of submitting a representation after a lapse of one year from the date of appointment of the petitioners, alleging that their appointments are illegal, the services of the petitioners cannot be terminated. Further, even otherwise, pursuant to the orders of this Court, the petitioners are continuing for the last more than 10 years. At this long length of time, it is not desirable to interfere with their appointments. Therefore, this Court is of the view that the impugned orders are liable to be set aside and are accordingly set aside. All the Writ Petitions are accordingly allowed. There shall be no order as to costs. _________________________________ GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA, J 02.12.2010 KH