THE HON’BLE Ms. JUSTICE G. ROHINI Writ Petition No. 21915 of 2009 Dated: 11.02.2010 Between: S.Jagan Babu, Visakhapatnam and 10 others. … Petitioners And The A.P.Eastern Power Distribution company Ltd,, Visakhapatnam and another. … Respondents THE HON'BLE Ms. JUSTICE G.ROHINI Writ Petition No. 21915 of 2009 O R D E R : The petitioners herein claim to have worked as Shift Operators in the A.P. Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited on contract basis. It is also stated that they possessed the qualification of ITI with Electrical trade. Pursuant to the notification issued by the 1st respondent proposing to fill up more than 7200 posts of Junior Lineman on contract basis through out the State, the petitioners have applied and also appeared for the selections. It is claimed that they were successful in pole climbing test and they were expecting appointment as Junior Lineman. However, no orders of appointment have been issued so far, in spite of the fact that more than 100 vacancies in the category of O.C in Visakhapatnam Division are available. Hence, the present writ petition seeking a declaration that the action of the respondents in not filling up the notified vacancies of contract Junior Lineman in Visakhapatnam Division is arbitrary and illegal. In the counter affidavit filed on behalf of the respondents, it is stated that 158 posts were notified in Visakhapatnam Operation Circle and all the said posts were already filled up. So far as the petitioners herein are concerned, it is stated that though they were successful in the pole climbing test, they did not come within the zone of consideration and therefore, they were not appointed. Having regard to the stand taken in the counter affidavit, which stood un-rebutted, I do not find any justifiable reason to issue the writ of Mandamus compelling the respondents to appoint the petitioners as contract Junior Lineman. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is dismissed. However, this shall not preclude the petitioners to offer their candidature as and when fresh vacancies are notified. No costs. _____________ G. ROHINI, J. Date: 11.02.2010 KLP