IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.T.SANKARAN MONDAY, THE 7TH JULY 2008 / 16TH ASHADHA 1930 WP(C).No. 19702 of 2008(U) -------------------------- PETITIONERS: ------------ 1. MANAGER, MAR THOMA COLLEGE, THIRUVALLA. 2. DR.K.T.PHILIP, PRINCIPAL, MAR THOMA COLLEGE, THIRUVALLA. BY ADV. SRI.BABY ISSAC ILLICKAL RESPONDENTS: ------------- 1. MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY, REPRESENTED BY ITS REGISTRAR, PRIYADARSHINI HILLS P.O., KOTTAYAM. 2. DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COLLEGIATE EDUCATION, KOTTAYAM. BY G.P. SHRI T.T.MUHAMMED BY ADV. SHRI T.A.SHAJI, SC FOR M.G.UNIVERSITY THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 07/07/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: K.T. SANKARAN,J. -------------------------------------- W.P.(C) No.19702 of 2008 U -------------------------------------- Dated this the 7th day of July, 2008. J U D G M E N T The first petitioner is the Manager of Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla. The second petitioner, who was a Reader in the Zoology Department in the College, was appointed as the Principal of the College as per Ext.P1 order dated 1.4.2008. Petitioners contend that the second petitioner has got the required qualification for being appointed as the Principal. The first respondent University, as per Ext.P2 order dated 5.4.2008, approved the appointment of the second petitioner as Drawing and Disbursing Officer for the period from 1.4.2008 to 30.6.2008. The question of extension of the term of the second petitioner as Drawing and Disbursing Officer is pending consideration before the first respondent University. The grievance of the petitioners is that the salary bills drawn by the second petitioner for the month of June, 2008 were not counter- signed by the second respondent, thereby causing much difficulties to the teaching and non-teaching staff of the College. 2. The learned Government Pleader, on instructions, submits that the second petitioner is authorised to function as the Drawing and Disbursing Officer only till 30.6.2008 since the University has approved his appointment as the Drawing and Disbursing Officer only till that date. It is also WP(C) No.19702/2008 2 submitted by the learned Government Pleader that the salary bills for the month of June, 2008 have been duly counter-signed by the second respondent on 28.6.2008. The reliefs prayed for by the petitioners in the Writ Petition cannot be considered at present since the matter is pending consideration of the University. The petitioners would be free to move the University for appropriate orders to extend the period during which the second petitioner can act as the Drawing and Disbursing Officer pending final decision regarding approval of appointment of the second petitioner as Principal. Leaving open the rights of the petitioners to move this Court as and when occasion arises, the Writ Petition is disposed of recording the submission made by the learned Government Pleader. K.T. SANKARAN, JUDGE. cks