IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.K.BASHEER FRIDAY, THE 25TH MAY 2007 / 4TH JYAISHTA 1929 W.P.(C).No. 14997 of 2007(I) -------------------------------------------- PETITIONERS: ----------------------- 1. M.P.GOVINDAN, RETIRED HEADMASTER, CHEKIAD EAST L.P.SCHOOL, MEETHAL PARAMBATH HOUSE, KALLIKANDI P.O., THUVAKUNNU, KANNUR DISTRICT. 2. A.VIJAYARAGHAVAN, HEADMASTER, ANJAMPEEDIKA M.L.P.SCHOOL, ALIYUR P.O., KOZHIKODE DISTRICT. 3. P.VASANTHAKUMARI, HEADMISTRESS, PANOOR WEST U.P.SCHOOL, PANOOR P.O., KANNUR DISTRICT. 4. P.V.INDIRA, HEADMISTRESS, MUTUNGAL L.P.SCHOOL, MUTUNGAL WEST P.O., VATAKARA-VIA, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.BABU JOSEPH KURUVATHAZHA SRI.C.P.SIVADASAN NAIR RESPONDENTS: ------------------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL EDUCATION, GOVT. SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE ACCOUNTANT GENERAL OF KERALA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 3. THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. W.P.(C).No. 14997 of 2007(I) :: 2 :: 4. THE ASSISTANT EDUCATIONAL OFFICER, NADAPURAM, KOZHIKODE. 5. THE ASSISTANT EDUCATIONAL OFFICER, CHOMBALA, KOZHIKODE. 6. THE ASSISTANT EDUCATIONAL OFFICER, PANOOR, KANNUR DISTRICT. BY GOERNMENT PLEADER SMT.LAKSHMI RANI THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 25/05/2007, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: A.K.BASHEER, J. --------------------------------------------- W.P.(C)No.14997 OF 2007 ---------------------------------------------- Dated this the 25th day of May, 2007 JUDGMENT Petitioners except sl.no.1 are stated to be working as Headmasters now. Their grievance is that they have been denied the benefit of the scale of pay of Headmaster with effect from their respective date of appointment on the ground that they have not passed the account test within the stipulated period. They contend that the departmental officer who considered their request was not justified in rejecting their claim. Learned counsel has invited my attention to Ext.P5 and other relevant documents while contending that the Government had in several identical cases granted similar benefits to similarly placed Headmasters. 2. Anyhow, in view of the limited prayer made by the learned counsel at the Bar, I do not deem it necessary to deal with all these contentions. Learned counsel submits that petitioners would be satisfied, if an appropriate direction is issued to respondent no.1 to consider and pass orders on Ext.P22 representation submitted by them highlighting their W.P.(C)No.14997 OF 2007 :: 2 :: grievance. Learned Government Pleader submits that the said representation, if submitted, will be considered and an appropriate decision thereon will be taken without any delay. 3. Therefore, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent no.1 to consider and pass orders on Ext.P22 strictly on its merit and in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. An authorised representative of the petitioners shall be afforded sufficient opportunity to be heard before any decision is taken. Petitioners shall produce a copy of the writ petition along with the certified copy of the judgment before respondent no.1 for compliance. Writ petition is disposed of as above. A.K.BASHEER, JUDGE jes