IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC TUESDAY, THE 29TH JUNE 2010 / 8TH ASHADHA 1932 WP(C).No. 4599 of 2010(Y) --------------------------------- PETITIONER(S): -------------------- 1. SARASAN, R, UD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL, KOTTAYAM. 2. AJITHKUMAR K.K. UD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL, KOTTAYAM, 3. NASAR METHAR M.K, UD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL, KOTTAYAM. 4. INDUKALADHARAN NAIR, K.R., UD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL, KOTTAYAM. 5. SATHEESH KUMAR, UD CLERK, KOTTAYAM MEDICAL COLLEGE HEALTH CENTRE, ETTUMANNOR. 6. BINU ABRAHAM, UD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL, KOTTAYAM. BY ADV. SMT.P.V.ASHA SMT.VINEETHA B. SRI.RIJI RAJENDRAN RESPONDENT(S): ------------------------ 1. STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL EDUCATION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM WPC NO.4599/2010 -2- *3. C.P.JOHN, SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT, GOVT.MEDICAL COLLEGE, THRISSUR, RESIDING AT CHEMPANAKUNNEL HOUSE, MANJAKAD P.O, SHORNUR, PALAKKAD 679 121. 4. BIJU P.D., JUNIOR SUPERINTENDENT, GOVT.MEDICAL COLLEGE, THRISSUR, RESIDING AT PARAKKADAVIL, MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O, CALICUT -8. 5. BENNY T.T., U.D.CLERK, GOVT.MEDICAL COLLEGE, THRISSUR, RESIDING AT THALIAKUZHY, KALLETTUMKARA, THRISSUR 680 683. 6. JOJU A.T, LD CLERK, GOVT.MEDICAL COLLEGE, THRISSUR, RESIDING AT ARACKAL HOUSE, MARAMCODE, CHETTIKKULAM P.O, THRISSUR 680 721. 7. SHAKKEER K.A., LD CLERK, GOVT.MEDICAL COLLEGE, THRISSUR, RESIDING AT KOLANGARA HOUSE, UDAYAGIRI, ARAMKALLU, MANNUTHY P.O, THRISSUR 680 651. 8. DIYON M.J., LD CLERK, GOVT.MEDICAL COLLEGE, THRISSUR RESIDING AT MANGALATHU PARAMBIL HOUSE, VELLANGALLUR P.O, THRISSUR 680 662. 9. GOKULA BALARHTINI K.T, JUNIOR SUPERINTENDENT, GOVT.MEDICAL COLLEGE, THRISSUR, RESIDING AT MANDOLI HOUSE, P.O, ANJUR-MUNDUR, THRISSUR 680 549. 10. ANTONY K.F., UD CLERK, GOVT.MEDICAL COLLEGE, THRISSUR, RESIDING AT KUTTIKKATTIL HOUSE, PERAMANGALAM P.O, THRISSUR. 11. E.S.ANILKUMAR, LD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT KANACKANCHERIYIL, VADAKKENIRA P.O, KOTTAYAM. 12. MADHU M.N, LD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT MANTHURUTHIYIL, MANTHURUTHY P,O, NEDUMKUNNAM, KOTTAYAM. WPC NO.4599/2010 -2- 13. S.VINOD, LD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT VINOD BHAVAN, NELLUVILA P.O, TRIVANDRUM. 14. MANOJ P. NAIR, LD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT NUNDENMACKEL, PANAMATTOM P.O, KOTTAYAM. 15. K.G.ARUN, L.D.CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT KOLLAMKUZHIYIL, POONJAR P.O, KOTTAYAM. 16. JOBY CHERIAN, LD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT PLAKIYEL, KURUMULLOOR P.O, KANAKKARY, KOTTAYAM. 17. KOCHUTHRESSIAMMA VARKEY, SELECTION GRADE TYPIST, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT KIZHAKKETHIL, LAKKATTOOR P.O, KOTTAYAM. 18. BEENAKUMARI D., LD TYPIST, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT THANACHERIL ILLOM, KIZHAKKENADA, KUMARANALLOOR, KOTTAYAM. 19. M.G.VASANTHY, SENIOR GRADE TYPIST, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT QUARTERS NO.F7, GANDHINAGAR P.O, KOTTAYAM. 20. M.M.PROTHASIS, JUNIOR SUPERINTENDENT, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT MAMKOTTATHIL, MOOZHIKULANGARA P.O, KOTTAYAM. 21. N.HARIKUMAR, UD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT REGHUSADANAM, MAMKAKUZHY P.O, MAVELIKARA, M.N.NARAYANA PILLAI. 22. M.M.ABRAHAM, UD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT MANNUPARAMPIL, NEENDOOR P.O, KOTTAYAM. 23. ABDUL NADVI T.A, UD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT H.NO.1/1597, SOUTH THAMARAPARAMBA, FORT COCHI. WPC NO.4599/2010 -2- 24. ANITHA SREEDEVI.S, UD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT SREERANGAM, AYMANA P.O, KOTTAYAM. 25. GEETHAMMA C.S., UD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT QUARTERS NO.F3, GANDHINAGAR, KOTTAYAM. 26. SIJI JOSEPH, UD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM RESIDING AT KURISUMOOTTIL, PATTITHANAM PO KOTTAYAM. 27. K.K.SUNIL KUMAR, UD CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM, RESIDING AT KARIMATH HOUSE, KANDANAD P.O, THIRUVAMKULAM, ERNAKULAM. *28. JOB GERVASIS, U.D.CLERK, MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM RESIDING AT PULICKANICKAL, CHEMAKKALA P.O, MANJOOR, KOTTAYAM.` (ADDL.RESPONDENTS *3 TO *28 ARE IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DT 15/3/2010 IN IA NO.3824/10.) ADDL.R29: SMT.CICILIKUTTY JOHN, U.D.CLERK (HR.GRADE), MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOTTAYAM (ADDL.R29 IS IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DT 24.3.2010 IN IA 4427/10.) ADV. SRI.MILLU DANDAPANI FOR ADDL.R3-28 SRI.N.RAGHURAJ FOR ADDL.R SMT.K.AMMINIKUTTY FOR ADDL.R SR.GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.P.NANDAKUMARFOR R-2 THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 29/06/2010, ALONG WITH WPC NOS.12381 AND 14091/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: WPC NO.4599/10 APPENDIX PETITIONERS' EXHIBITS EXT.P1: TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT PORTION OF THE SENIORITY LIST OF UD CLERKS UNDER DHS. EXT.P2: TRUE COPY OF GO(MS) NO.124/2007/H&FWD DT 1.6.2007. EXT.P3: TRUE COPY OF THE GO(P) NO.548/2008/H&FWD DT 25.10.2008. EXT.P4: TRUE COPY OF ORDER NO.PLA1-2462/05/DHS DT 28.2.2009 EXT.P5: TRUE COPY OF GO(P) NO.167/2009/H&FWD DT 17.6.09. EXT.P6: TRUE COPY OF ORDER NO.H3-1431/2008/DME-B1 DT 29.8.09. EXT.P7: TRUE COPY OF SENIORITY LIST OF UD CLERKS DT 1.12.08. EXT.P8: TRUE COPY OF SENIORITY LIST OF JUNIOR SUPERINTENDENTS FROM 1.2.08 TO 1.12.08. EXT.P9: TRUE COPY OF APPLICATION DT 27.10.09 UNDER RTI ACT. EXT.P9(a): TRUE COPY OF LETTER DT 25.11.09 OF PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER. EXT.P10: TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF OPTEES IN THE CADRE OF LAY SECRETARY. EXT.P10(a): TRUE COPY OF THE SENIORITY LIST OF SENIOR SUPERINTENDENTS. EXT.P10(b): TRUE COPY OF THE SENIORITY LIST OF ACCOUNTS OFFICERS. EXT.P10(c): TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF OPTEES IN THE CADRE OF JUNIOR SUPERINTENDENTS. EXT.P11: TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DT 4.2.10 OF 1ST PETITIONER. EXT.P12: TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION OF 2ND PETITIONER. //TRUE COPY// P.A. TO JUDGE Rp ANTONY DOMINIC, J. ================ W.P.(C) NOs. 4599, 12381 & 14091 OF 2010 ============================== Dated this the 29th day of June, 2010 J U D G M E N T The rival claims for seniority among two sets of employees of the Department of Medical Education is what arises for consideration in these writ petitions. 2. By Ext.P2 order in WP(C) No.4599/10, Dual Control System was abolished by the Government of Kerala. Pursuant to the said order, by order dated 25/10/08 (Ext.P1 in WP(C) No.14091/10) ministerial staff, nurses, paramedical staff including last grade staff under the establishment of Director of Health Services and working in the Medical Education Department were to be brought under the administrative control of the Director of Medical Education subject to the employees filing option in accordance with the rules of option incorporated in the said order. Appendix 1 of the said order provides the rules for filing option by the staff of the Director of Health Services (DHS for short) on abolition of Dual Control System. Clause 8 of Appendix 1 provided that “the seniority of the staff opted to Department of Medical Education will be maintained as per Rules 27(a)and 27(c) of Part II WPC NOs. 4599, 12381 & 14091 OF 2010 :2 : KS & SSR”. 3. Petitioners in WP(C) NO.4599/10 are employees, who had exercised option to come over to the Department of Medical Education Service (DME for short). They filed WP(C)No.4599/10 claiming that once they opt for DME and are absorbed in the DME, they are entitled to retain their existing seniority in terms of Clause 8 of Appendix 1 of Ext.P1 referred to above. 4. During the pendency of that writ petition, by order dated 31/3/2010, (Ext.P2 in WP(C) No.14091/10), promotions were effected to the post of Junior Superintendent and Upper Division Clerks in the DME. Subsequently, by order dated 6/4/2010, (Ext.P4 in WP(C) No.14091/10), Ext.P2 order was cancelled on the ground that the inter se seniority list of employees of the DME and those who have opted to come over to DME were not finalised. Still later, by order dated 24/4/2010, (Ext.P5 in WP(C) No.14091/10), the Government clarified Ext.P1 referred to above in the following terms: In the circumstances stated above, it is clarified that the seniority of staff of Health Service Department in the categories of Medical Education Department to which they have been absorbed by exercising the option as per the Government Order second cited has to be WPC NOs. 4599, 12381 & 14091 OF 2010 :3 : reckoned as per Rule 27(a) and 27(c) of Part II KS&SSR ie as per the date of order of promotion in the case of promotees and as per the date of first effective advice in the case of direct recruits (entry cadre) in the respective categories in Health Service Department. 5. It was thereupon that WP(C) No.12381/10 and 14091/10 were filed by persons, who were employees of the DME. According to them, on exercising option and coming over to DME, the optees should rank junior most in seniority, and therefore, the clarification as contained in Ext.P5 referred to above is illegal. Therefore, the only question that arises is whether the optees of DHS who have come over to DME are entitled to retain their seniority for their prior service in DHS. 6. In my view, the issue can be answered with reference to Clause 8 of Appendix I of Ext.P1 order dated 25/10/2008, which provides that seniority of staff opted to Department of Medical Education will be maintained as per Rule 27(a) and Rule 27(c) of Part II KS & SSR. This precisely is what is reiterated in Ext.P5 and this order does not introduce anything which is not provided in Ext.P1. Clause 8 of Appendix 1 of Ext.P1 is also not under challenge in WP(C) Nos.12381/10 or 14091/10. If that be so, necessarily, optees like the petitioners in WP(C) No.4599/10 and WPC NOs. 4599, 12381 & 14091 OF 2010 :4 : the additional party respondents in WP(C) No.14091/2010 are entitled to seniority for their prior services under the DHS in terms of Rules 27(a) and (c) of Part II KS&SSR. 7. Learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioners in WP(C) No.14091/10 and 12381/10 relied on the Apex Court judgment in Sudhakaran v. State of Kerala (2006(2)KLT 817 (SC) to contend that, on exercising option and coming over to the Directorate of Medical Education, the optees should rank junior most. However, a reading of the judgment shows that, in that judgment, the Apex Court was concerned with the claim of seniority of inter district transferees which is governed by the Proviso to Rule 27(a), which says that on request based inter district transfer, the transferee will be junior most in the transferred unit. Therefore, the said judgment has no application to the facts of this case. 8. The other grievance raised in WP(C) Nos.12381/10 and 14091/10 is that until the seniority is settled by drawing up an inter se seniority list, further promotions should not be effected. In the counter affidavit filed by the State in WP(C) No.4599/10, it has been stated thus:- WPC NOs. 4599, 12381 & 14091 OF 2010 :5 : The process of shifting of staff have not been completed so far. Promotions to the post of Junior Superintendents can be made after preparing seniority list of Upper Division Clerks including the U.D. Clerks shifted from Health Services. Only after preparing seniority list of U.D. Clerks the eligibility of the petitioners for promotion can be ascertained. Therefore, this grievance of the petitioners have been addressed by the Government itself. 9. In view of the above, the challenge against Ext.P5 order referred to above dated 24/4/2010 raised in WP(C) Nos.12381/10 and 14091/2010 will stand repelled. The claim of the petitioners in WP(C) No.4599/10 for maintaining seniority for their service prior to exercising option, is upheld, in view of Clause 8 of Appendix 1 of Ext.P1 Government Order dated 25/10/2008 and Ext.P5 dated 24.4.2010 referred to above. The Directorate of Medical Education is directed to finalise the inter se seniority list of the optees and the existing employees of the Department in accordance with law and as expeditiously as possible. WP(C) Nos. 12381/2010 and 14091/2010 are dismissed and WP(C) No.4599/2010 is disposed of. ANTONY DOMINIC, JUDGE Rp