IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC THURSDAY, THE 17TH JUNE 2010 / 27TH JYAISTHA 1932 WP(C).No. 18818 of 2010(B) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- SUSANTH P.S., AGED 29 YEARS, S/O.SUSEELAN, PALAMATTOM HOUSE, NEHRU TROPHY WARD, AVALAKUNNU P.O., ALAPPUZHA. BY ADV. SRI.V.L.SHENOY SRI.L.JAYAWANTH RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. THE KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, OFFICE OF KERALA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 4. 2. THE KERALA STATE WATER TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, REPRESENTED BY ITS DIRECTOR, DIRECTORATE OF STATE WATER TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, NEAR K.S.R.T.C BUS STATION, ALAPPUZHA - 688 011. BY SC SRI. ALEXANDER THOMAS BY GOVT. PLEADER SRI. ARAVIND KUMAR BABU THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17/06/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC, J. -------------------------------------------------- W.P.(C) NO.18818 OF 2010 (B) -------------------------------------------------- Dated this the 17th day of June, 2010 J U D G M E N T In response to a notification issued by the PSC for appointment to the post of Boat Lascar, petitioner submitted an application, which was eventually rejected on the ground that on the last date for submission of the application, he did not have a valid licence issued under Rule 118-B of Public Canals and Public Ferris Act, 1096. Aggrieved by the rejection of his application that the filed this writ petition. 2. The last date for submission of the application to the post was 9.5.2007. The validity of the petitioner's licence expired on 9.7.2006. On his own admission, it was renewed only with effect from 6.11.2007. Thus, as on the last date of the submission of application, he did not have the licence renewed in his favour. 3. Counsel for the petitioner contends that in terms of Ext.P4 notification, candidates should possess current licence on the date of receipt for receipt of applications and during practical test or interview. He says that process of selection is yet to be concluded and therefore he should be deemed to be an eligible WPC.No. 18818/2010 :2 : candidate. Note to clause 7 of Ext.P4 notification reads as thus. “Note:- Candidates should posses current Lascar's License on the last date for receipt of applications during Practical Test and Interview also.” 4. A reading of the note shows that, what is required is as on the last date for receipt of application, candidate should possess current licence and that such licence should be valid during practical test and interview also. This provision of the notification does not mean that if the candidate acquires licence on the date specified for practical test and interview, he will be eligible. 5. In addition to the above, the Standing Counsel for the PSC has produced before me the judgment of this court in WP (c).No.1757/2010. In that judgment also similar contention was considered and was rejected. Therefore there is no merit in the writ petition. Writ petition fails and is dismissed. (ANTONY DOMINIC) JUDGE vi/ WPC.No. 18818/2010 :3 :