HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE R. SUBHASH REDDY WRIT PETITION No. 22963 of 2009 ORDER: Although, interlocutory applications are listed for hearing, with the consent of the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel for the respondents, the main writ petition itself is taken up for hearing and disposed of by this order. The petitioners, who are working as Line Inspectors and Linemen in the Southern Power Distribution Company of A.P. Ltd., filed this writ petition seeking a direction by way of Mandamus to declare the action of the respondents in taking steps to transfer their services to Kandukur Division as illegal and arbitrary. The Southern Power Distribution Company of A.P. Ltd.-the 1st respondent-Company herein, has created 11 Operation Divisions in six Districts, viz., Vijayawada, Guntur, Nellore, Ongole, Tirupathi and Kadapa, based on the number of service connections and geographical location. The company has now decided to further bifurcate the existing Operation Divisions by creating 11 more new Operation Divisions. As a part of such bifurcation, Ongole Operation Division is sought to be bifurcated into Ongole and Kandukur. On such bifurcation, all the sanctioned posts were sought to be bifurcated between Ongole Division and Kandukur Division, including the vacancies, on ‘as is where is’ basis. For the purpose of bifurcation of operation and maintenance staff among the two divisions, through proceedings bearing Memo No. CGM(HRD)/DSAS)I)/PO(ADM)/D. No.2173/09, dated 27.9.2009, proposals for redistribution of staff were called for and the O&M staff were directed to give their options either to retain themselves in the parent division or to opt for the new Operation Division of Kandukur. In the said proceedings, it is stated that all the sanctioned posts will be bifurcated in the existing division and new division including the vacancies on ‘as is whereas is basis’. It is further stated that if any incumbent does not give any option, he is deemed to have opted for the latest Division in which jurisdiction, his present place of work falls. That after obtaining such options, the employees are to be allotted as per their request to the Operation Division which they opt, to the extent possible, depending upon the availability of posts. It is further stated that if more number of people opt for new/old division, the allocation should be based on seniority in the cadre, i.e., preference will be given to the senior most people. Learned counsel for the petitioners contends that merely because some Inspectors and Linemen, who were working in Kandukur Division have given their option to work in Ongole Division, the petitioners are sought to be shifted to Kandukur Division contrary to the guidelines referred, above. They further state that even though they have submitted their objections for transferring their services to Kandukur Division, the respondents are taking steps to transfer their services to Kandukur Division. Hence, the present writ petition. This Court while admitting the writ petition on 27.10.2009, has ordered to maintain status-quo obtaining as on that date until further orders. Inasmuch as no final decision has been taken by the respondents for bifurcation of staff among the two Operation Divisions, viz., Ongole and Kandukur, I deem it appropriate to dispose of the writ petition with a direction to the respondents to pass orders for bifurcation of staff while taking into consideration the options exercised by the petitioners and as per the guidelines issued by the respondents vide proceedings dated 27.9.2009, referred to above. Further, if the petitioners have not submitted their options so far, they shall submit the same before a final decision is taken by the respondents for such bifurcation of staff. Till such time, the respondents are directed to continue the petitioners in Ongole Division only. Subject to the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. ____________________ R. SUBHASH REDDY,J Date: 15th March, 2010 pnb