K.Kariyanna,S/O. Lakshimappa, v. The State Of Andhra Pradesh, Rep.By Its Principal Secretary

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE P.NAVEEN RAO WRIT PETITION NO.15544 OF 2017 ORDER:

1.

This Writ Petition is filed to declare the action of the Project Director, District Water Management Agency, East Godavari District in not renewing the contract of the petitioner by the respective impugned proceedings, as illegal, arbitrary and in violation of principles of natural justice and consequently to set aside the same.

2.

When the matter is taken up, learned counsel for the petitioner as well as learned Special Standing Counsel, submits that the subject matter of this Writ Petition is covered by the decision of this Court in W.P.No.41245 of 2016 and batch, dated 02.02.2017.

3.

In W.P.No.41245 of 2016 and batch, this Court held as under:

"19. As noted above, in all these writ petitioners learned Special Standing Counsel, representing the respondents fairly submits that reasons are not recorded by the three-men committee or the Committee has not answered the specific objection of the individuals and the final recommendation of the Committee is only "as not recommended".

20.

Having regard to the above findings, I am of the considered opinion that the exercise undertaken by the respondents in pursuant to the direction issued by this Court in W.P.No.27468 of 2015 and batch dated 31.12.2015 is not in accordance with the said directions and is in clear violation of the basic principles as to how a decision has to be taken by the competent authority, i.e., decision must be supported by reasons, more so, when it affects a person's right to public employment. In the instant case, the decision of the Committee is affecting petitioners' right to claim public employment or continuation of their service on contract basis with the 2nd respondent as Field Assistants and when such claim is affected, the decision must be supported

by reasons. As noted above, the Collector has simply accepted the recommendations of the Committee and passed orders and the District Collector is not the competent authority.

21.

Thus, the writ petitions are allowed. The matters are remitted to the stage of consideration by the three-man Committee. The Committee shall assign due reasons in support of its recommendation on each of the petitioners after consideration of the explanations already submitted and on due verification of the relevant records. It shall forward its recommendations to the Project Directors concerned. On consideration of such recommendations, the respective Project Directors shall pass orders as required in each of the cases. The entire exercise shall be completed within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of copy of this order. 22.

Since the matters are remitted to the stage of consideration of three-man committee constituted as directed by this Court in Para No.111 of W.P.No.27468 of 2015 and batch dated 31.12.2015, as directed in Para 112, till the decision is made in accordance with the direction issued in these batch of writ petitions, no further appointments shall be made at the places earlier occupied by petitioners. There shall be no order as to costs." 4.

Following the said decision and the reasons assigned therein, this Writ Petition is also allowed and the matter is remitted to the stage of consideration of the issue by the Three-Men Committee appointed pursuant to the directions issued by this Court in W.P.No.27468 of 2015 and batch. The respondents are directed to follow the directions in W.P.No.41245 of 2016 and batch, as extracted above. Till a decision is made, no further appointment may be made in the place earlier occupied by petitioner. There shall be no order as to costs. Miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending shall stand closed. ____________________ (P.NAVEEN RAO, J) 27th April 2017 RRB