Dr.B.Christudhas Williams, v. The Director Of Collegiate

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 20.10.2016

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SUBBIAH W.P.No.36768 of 2016 Dr.B.Christudhas Williams ... Petitioner Vs.

The Director of Collegiate Education, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.

... Respondent Prayer:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent herein to approve and regularize the petitioner's appointment as Lecturer in Botany in the Scott Christian College, Nagercoil, in the sanctioned retirement vacancy of Dr.G.Earnest Thayasingh with effect from 05.01.2004 to 31.07.2007 based on the approval given by the respondent to the similarly placed persons in Na.Ka.No.4950/F2/2016 dated 21.06.2016 in W.P.No.2739 of 2016 dated 22.02.2016, Na.Ka.No.19837/F2/2007 dated 14.03.2014 and Na.Ka.No.33733/F2/ 2005 dated 01.09.2014 in W.P.No.17368 of 2005 dated 29.06.2005, in W.A.Nos.140, 811 of 2006 and 809 of 2007, and in SLP.Nos.19526 of 19528 of 2013 with monetary and service and all other benefits for the said period based on the representation dated 08.02.2016 given by the petitioner.

For Petitioner : Mr.E.Martin Jaya Kumar For Respondent : Mr.N.Srinivasan Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

By consent, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal. 2.The petitioner has come up with the present writ petition for a Mandamus, directing the respondent herein to approve and regularize the petitioner's appointment as Lecturer in Botany in the Scott Christian College, Nagercoil, in the sanctioned retirement vacancy of Dr.G.Earnest Thayasingh with effect from 05.01.2004 to 31.07.2007 based on the approval given by the respondent to the similarly placed persons in Na.Ka.No.4950/F2/2016 dated 21.06.2016 in W.P.No.2739 of 2016 dated 22.02.2016, Na.Ka.No.19837/F2/2007 dated 14.03.2014 and Na.Ka.No.33733/F2/ 2005 dated 01.09.2014 in W.P.No.17368 of 2005 dated 29.06.2005, in W.A.Nos.140, 811 of 2006 and 809 of 2007, and in SLP.Nos.19526 of 19528 of 2013 with monetary and service and all other benefits for the said period based on the representation dated 08.02.2016 given by the petitioner.

3.It is the case of the petitioner that he is a Post Graduate in Botany possessing the qualification of M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. Originally, he was appointed as Lecturer in Botany in Scott Christian College, Nagercoil, with effect from 05.01.2004 in the sanctioned retirement vacancy of Dr.G.Earnest Thayasingh and he has not been paid salary from the management funds. Subsequently, the post was approved by the respondent vide proceedings dated 04.11.2008, with effect from 01.08.2007.

4.It is the further case of the petitioner that by the proceedings of the Director of Collegiate Education, Chennai, dated 12.10.1999, permission has been granted to fill up the vacancies that arose in the vacant posts of the year 1999-2000 on or before 31.03.2000. In the said proceedings, the number of sanctioned posts of Lecturer in Botany for the year 1999-2000 has been set out as 12 and the petitioner has been appointed with effect from 05.01.2004 in the 8th sanctioned post.

5.It is the further case of the petitioner that from the proceedings dated 12.10.1999, it is clear that there are 12 sanctioned posts of Lecturer in Botany in the Scott Christian College. Thereafter, in and by the Government Order No.79, Higher Education (E2)

Department, dated 28.05.2012, orders were issued by the Government to fill up the 3120 vacant posts that arose in various Colleges aided by the Government and it was also made clear by the Government that the sanctioned and approved post which fell vacant from 01.06.2008 to 31.05.2011 have to be filled up by year wise and subject wise.

6.The Scott Christian College has sent a communication about the workload to the respondent herein and sought approval of the retirement of vacancies of the Lecturers, which arose in the year 2005, including the retirement vacancy of Dr.G.Earnest Thayasingh which arose on 31.12.2003.

7.It is the further case of the petitioner that there is no provision either in the Tamil Nadu Private Colleges (Regulation) Act, 1976 or in the Tamil Nadu Private Colleges (Regulation) Rules, 1976, that prior permission has to be obtained from the Director of Collegiate Education before filling up a vacant sanctioned post. Therefore, it is not necessary to obtain prior approval from the Director of Collegiate Education in respect of filling up vacancy arising out of an already sanctioned post. The petitioner has been working without salary from the date of his appointment in the retirement

vacancy arising out of a sanctioned post. In this regard, the petitioner sent a representation dated 08.02.2016 to the respondent requesting to approve his appointment from the initial date of appointment. But, the same was not considered so far. Hence, left with no other alternative, the petitioner has come up with the present writ petition for the relief set out earlier.

8.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, in support of his contentions, also relied upon the order of this Court dated 12.07.2016 made in W.P.No.23718 of 2016 (Dr.A.Jepa Malar Vs.The Director of Collegiate Education, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.), wherein, this Court relying upon the order passed by this Court in W.P.No.3311 of 2016 dated 22.02.2016, directed the respondent to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation for regularizing the service from the date of appointment and to pay the salary and other applicable benefits for the said period within a time frame.

9.I have heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader who takes notice for

the respondent.

10.Following the earlier orders passed by this Court as stated supra and in the light of the approval granted by the respondent in similar such circumstances, this Court is of the view that the respondent ought to have considered the case of the petitioner from the initial date of his appointment and paid his salary with all other benefits.

11.In view of the above, this Court directs the respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 08.02.2016 seeking to approve and regularize the petitioner's appointment as Lecturer in Botany in the Scott Christian College, Nagercoil, in the sanctioned retirement vacancy of Dr.G.Earnest Thayasingh with effect from 05.01.2004 to 31.07.2007, based on the approval given by the respondent to the similarly placed persons in Na.Ka.No.4950/F2/2016 dated 21.06.2016 in W.P.No.2739 of 2016 dated 22.02.2016, Na.Ka.No.19837/F2/2007 dated 14.03.2014 and Na.Ka.No.33733/F2/ 2005 dated 01.09.2014 in W.P.No.17368 of 2005 dated 29.06.2005, in W.A.Nos.140, 811 of 2006 and 809 of 2007, and in SLP.Nos.19526 of 19528 of 2013 and pass appropriate orders with regard to the

payment of his salary and other applicable benefits for the said period, on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 12.The writ petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. 20.10.2016 pri Index: Yes/ No Internet: Yes/ No To The Director of Collegiate Education, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.

R.SUBBIAH,J.

pri W.P.No.36768 of 2016

20.10.2016