Gundagani Venkatesh, v. The State Of Telangana, Rep. By Its Principal Secretary To

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE A.RAMALINGESWARA RAO WRIT PETITION No.42533 of 2017 ORDER:

The petitioners state that they are presently working as Agricultural Extension Officers (AEOs) Grade I in Bhongir and Nalgonda Districts. They were initially appointed as AEO Grade II by way of direct recruitment in the year 2009. Thereafter they were promoted as AEOs Grade I on 03.08.2016. They studied Diploma in Agriculture and with that qualification they were appointed as AEOs Grade II by virtue of an amendment issued in G.O.Rt.No.311, dated 25.07.2005, to the rules issued in G.O.Ms.No.167, Agri. & Co-operation (Agri.IV) Department, dated 17.04.1997. The three categories of Agricultural Extension Officer fall in Class-A of the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Subordinate Service Rules issued in G.O.Ms.No.167, dated 17.04.1997. However, as on today there is no Grade III Agricultural Extension Officer. As per G.O.Ms.No.

16, Agriculture and Cooperation (FP-I) Department, dated 21.01.2000, the AEOs Grade I alone are entitled to be promoted as Agricultural Officers by way of appointment by transfer. Out of 100 vacancies 60% of the vacancies shall be filled by direct recruitment and the remaining by appointment by transfer. The educational qualification required for appointment to the post of Agricultural Officer by way of direct recruitment is B.Sc. in Agriculture. While so, when a Memo dated 18.09.

Commissioner of Agriculture directing all Unit Officers to send the list of eligible Agriculture Extension Officers in Telangana State, who have completed B.Sc. (Agriculture), from a recognized University in the State or any other University recognized by ICAR for promoting as Agricultural Officers, the present Writ Petition is filed apprehending that the AEOs Grade II with B.Sc. (Agriculture) educational qualification would be promoted contrary to G.O.Ms.No.16, Agriculture and Cooperation (FP-I) Department, dated 21.01.2000. Since the rules relating to appointment by transfer issued in G.O.Ms.No.16, Agriculture and Cooperation (FP-I) Department, dated 21.01.2000, are very clear, there is no basis for the apprehension of the petitioners. However, the respondents are directed to strictly adhere to the said Government Order while promoting the AEOs Grade I to the post of Agricultural Officers.

With the above clarification, the Writ Petition is disposed of. The miscellaneous petitions pending in this Writ Petition, if any, shall stand closed. There shall be no order as to costs. ________________________________ (A.RAMALINGESWARA RAO, J) 14.12.2017 vs