Madras High Court
S.Gayathri vs The Secretary To Government on 9 December, 2021
Author: Anita Sumanth
Bench: Anita Sumanth
W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608,
15214 and 20555 of 2018
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 09.12.2021
CORAM
THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH
W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608,
15214 and 20555 of 2018
and
W.M.P.(MD) Nos.2277 to 2279, 11454 to 11456,
11485 to 11487, 13754 to 13756 and 18298 to 18300 of 2018
S.Gayathri ...Petitioner in W.P.(MD)No.2048 of 2018
S.Karuppasamy ...Petitioner in W.P.(MD)No.12561 of 2018
K.Rajeshwaran ...Petitioner in W.P.(MD)No.12608 of 2018
M.Ranjitha Jenifer ...Petitioner in W.P.(MD)No.15214 of 2018
V.Bhuvaneswari ...Petitioner in W.P.(MD)No. 20555 of 2018
Vs
1. The Secretary to Government,
Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (AH.I),
Fort St. George, Secretariat, Chennai – 9.
2. The Director of Animal Husbandry and
Veterinary Services,
Chennai – 6.
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W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608,
15214 and 20555 of 2018
3. The Director of Employment and Training,
O/o. The Director of Employment and
Training, Guindy, Chennai – 32. ... Respondents 1 to 3 in all WPs
4. The District Employment Officer,
Sivagangai District,
Sivagangai.
5. M. Chithra ... Respondents 4 and 5 in
in W.P.(MD)No.2048 of 2018
4. The District Employment Officer,
Tirunelveli District,
Tirunelveli.
5. S. Meenatchi
6. A. Lakshmi
7. M. Latha ...Respondents 4 to 7 in
W.P.(MD)No.12561 of 2018
4. The District Employment Officer,
Madurai District,
Madurai.
5. M. Karthikeyan
6. P. Parimala
7. T. Sujatha ...Respondents 4 to 7 in
W.P.(MD)No.12608 of 2018
4. The District Employment Officer,
Dindigul District,
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W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608,
15214 and 20555 of 2018
Dindigul.
5. K. Palaniammal
6. M. Sathya
7. D. Manikandan
8. Silosilin Rani ...Respondents 4 to 8 in
W.P.(MD)No.15214 of 2018
4. The District Employment Officer,
Tirunelveli District,
Tirunelveli.
5. M. Latha ...Respondents 4 and 5 in
W.P.(MD)No. 20555 of 2018
Prayer in all WPs.: Writ Petitions filed under Article 226 of the
Constitution of India, for the issuance of a writ of certiorarified mandamus
to call for the records relating to the impugned seniority list of the 4 th
respondents dated Nil and the consequential impugned appointment order
issued by the second respondent in Na.Ka.No.48751/E2/2012 dated
30.09.2013 and quash the same and consequently direct the fourth
respondent to prepare a fresh seniority list for the post of Livestock
Inspector Grade II based on the employment seniority maintained by him
and pass orders.
For Petitioners : Mr.M.R.Sreenivasan
For Respondents : Mr.V.Om Prakash
Government Advocate
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Page No.3 of 15
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W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608,
15214 and 20555 of 2018
for R1 to R4
R5- No appearance
COMMON ORDER
This batch of writ petitions have been filed by petitioners challenging the Seniority List of the fourth respondent that is, the District Employment Officer for the post of Livestock Inspector Grade II and consequential appointments made of the private respondents by the Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services.
2. The writ petitions have a history which is set out as below:
2.1. Government Order in G.O.Ms. No.10, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries dated 27.01.2012 had been issued seeking to fill up vacant posts of Livestock Inspector Grade II. The Government Order was the subject matter of challenge in W.P.(MD) No. 3296 of 2013 and the learned Single Judge of this court had allowed the writ petition in sofar as that petitioner was concerned. In conclusion, the court held that the petitioner in that case is well within the age limit under the notification and _____________ Page No.4 of 15 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608, 15214 and 20555 of 2018 the official respondents were thus directed to consider the candidature of that petitioner within a time frame that was fixed for that purpose.
2.2. The State had challenged the order of the learned Single Judge in W.A.(MD) No. 1114 of 2015. A Division Bench of this court disposed the writ appeal confirming the order of the learned Single Judge. It was however clarified by the Bench that the appointments pursuant to G.O.Ms.No.10 shall not be disturbed.
3. The aforesaid orders are pressed into service by the petitioners in this case as well. It has transpired that notifications issued originally were followed by revised notifications issued in 2015 that came to be challenged by a group of petitioners in W.P.(MD) Nos. 2452 and 2453 of 2013 on identical facts and legal position. A learned Single Judge of this court by his order dated 17.07.2019 considered the case of the petitioners, ultimately dismissing the writ petitions.
4. The same argument as advanced before me now has been considered by learned Single Judge in order dated 17.07.2019, to the fact _____________ Page No.5 of 15 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608, 15214 and 20555 of 2018 that the candidates sponsored by the employment exchange had all been over the stipulated age and hence their appointments were in violation of the prescription under the notification and the concerned Government Orders.
5. The age of the respondents as on the critical date, 01.07.2012, is a matter of fact. Reference is made to the counter affidavits filed by R2 (in WP(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608 & 15214 of 2018) and R4 (in WP(MD)No.20555 of 2018) which at paragraphs 5 thereof set out the relevant details of the respondents, as follows:
W.P.(MD)No.2048 of 2018:
Sl. Priori Reg No. Reg Date Name and Date of Communal Age as on
No. ty Address Birth Category 01.07.201
2
113 MBC SGD2000F 03.01.2000 M. Manonmani 05.10.1979 MBC 32 years
GLP 00000001 W/o. Late. 08 months
(DW) Muthu kumar 20 days
189 BCO SGD2000F 29.05.1997 K. 16.07.1980 BC 31 years
GLP 0000491 Thandeeswari 11
W/o. Kannan Months
15 days
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Page No.6 of 15
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608, 15214 and 20555 of 2018 1297 GT SGD1998F 29.05.1995 C. Kasthuri 02.07.1978 SC 33 Years GLP 00004004 Thilaka 11 Months 29 Days 1328 GT SGD1993F 30.05.1995 M. Chitra 03.07.1977 SC 34 Years GLP 00002438 D/o. Muthu 11 Months 28 Days 1405 GT SGD2002M 30.05.1995 K. Balkan 07.06.1978 SCA 34 Years GLP 00003841 S/o. Kottaiyan 0 Months 24 Days W.P.(MD)No.12561 of 2018:
Sl. Regn. No & Name of the candidate Date of birth/ Category No. Seniority Community/ Priority
1. TND1996F B.Loheswari SC GT-W-NP 00001583 03.02.1978 29.05.1995
2. TND1998F G.Jeya SC GT-W-NP 00009320 09.05.1978 29.05.1995
3. TND1999F S.Meenakshi SC GT-G-NP 00002520 02.04.1978 29.05.1995
4. TND1993F A.Lakshmi SC GT-G-NP 00004340 12.05.1978 30.05.1995
5. TND1999F M.Latha SC GT-G-NP 00011733 23.05.1978 30.05.1995 W.P.(MD)No.12608 of 2018:
_____________ Page No.7 of 15 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608, 15214 and 20555 of 2018 Sl. Regn. No & Name of the Date of birth/ Category No. Seniority candidate Community Priority
1. MDD1999F K.Pandiselvi 03.02.1978 MBC-GL-P 00007774 MBC 21.07.1999
2. MDD1998F M.Jeyalakshmi 03.03.1979 BC-GL-P 00000898 BC 13.04.1998
3. MDD1994F R.Meenakshi 13.07.1977 GTW-NPR-Y 00002405 GTW 08.06.1994
4. MDDD1992F J.Vijayarani 08.07.1977 GTW-NP 00004073 GTW 29.06.1994
5. MDD1993F S.Maheswari 26.01.1978 GTW-NP 00004862 GTW 29.05.1995
6. MDD1995F M.Karthikeyan 15.05.1978 GT-GL-NP 00002727 GT 29.05.1995
7. MDD1993 P.Parimala 04.01.1978 GT-GL-NP 00005897 GT 29.05.1995
8. MDD1993F T.Sujatha 12.06.1978 GT-GL-NP 00005264 GT 30.05.1995 W.P.(MD)No.15214 of 2018:
Sl. Regn.No. & Name of the candidate Date of birth/ Category No. Seniority Community/ Priority _____________ Page No.8 of 15 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608, 15214 and 20555 of 2018
1. DGD1993F K.Palaniammal GT GT- WNP 00002792 06.05.1978 27.05.1995
2. DGD1997F M.Sathya GT GT- WNP 00006804 06.03.1978 27.05.1995
3. DGD1998M D.Manikandan GT GT- GL-NP 00001974 27.03.1978 30.05.1995
4. DGD2006F Silosilin Rani GT GT- GL-NP 000012203 16.07.1978 30.05.1995 W.P.(MD)No. 20555 of 2018:
SL. NAME OF THE DATE OF REGISRATION PERMITTED AGE No REGISTRATION AND BIRTH SENIORITY AGE DURING REGISRATION NO. AND SUBMISSION COMMUNITY AS ON 01.07.2012 749 LOKESHWARI B 03.02.1978 29.05.1995 35 Years 34 Years TND1995F00001583 GT – W – NP 772 JEYA G 09.05.1978 29.05.1995 35 Years 34 Years TND1998F00009320 GT – W – NP 136 MEENAKSHI S 02.04.1978 30.05.1995 35 Years 34 Years 3 TND1999F00002529 GT – GL – NP 138 LAKSHMI 12.05.1978 30.05.1995 35 Years 34 Years 4 TND1993F00004340 GT – GL – NP 139 LATHA M 23.05.1978 30.05.1995 35 Years 34 Years 1 TND1999F000011733 GT – GL – NP
6. A perusal of the tabulations as above would reveal that the critical age of all respondents as on 01.07.2012, falls within the limit as prescribed _____________ Page No.9 of 15 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608, 15214 and 20555 of 2018 for their category of selection that is, in cases of open selection 30, in cases of backward class 32, in case of scheduled tribe and schedule tribe 35.
7. The operative portion of the order of the learned Single Judge dismissing the writ petitions is based on the identical details that were furnished before this court in the earlier batch of writ petitions as well.
8. The details of age furnished by the respondents have not been disputed in any manner by the petitioners and in light of this critical finding of fact that the private candidates in all cases were within the prescribed age limit, I see no call for interference.
9. Learned counsel for the petitioners refers to Rule 12 (d) of the General Rules for Tamil Nadu State and Subordinate Services Rules, 1955, referred to in the application proforma. The Rule stipulates that the maximum age limit prescribed in the Special Rules shall not apply to candidates belonging to scheduled caste, scheduled tribe, backward classes, most backward classes and de-notified communities, or destitute widows where such candidates had obtained General Educational qualifications higher than those referred to in the terms prescribing educational _____________ Page No.10 of 15 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608, 15214 and 20555 of 2018 qualifications.
10. In the present case, reference to Rule 12(d) is itself unnecessary insofar as none of the private candidates arrayed in these writ petitions seek benefit under that Rule. As admittedly, all private respondents fall within the age limit prescribed in the Rules, without needing the benefit of relaxation as set out in Rule 12 (d), reference to the Rule would not advance the case of the petitioners.
11. No case has been made out warranting interference in the impugned notifications or in the appointments of the private respondents, who have been in service since 2015, and these writ petitions are thus, dismissed. The Division Bench in writ appeal, has protected the interest of the candidates that have been appointed pursuant to G.O.Ms.No.10, the Bench stating categorically that such appointments shall not be disturbed.
No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
09.12.2021 Index: Yes/No Speaking/non-speaking _____________ Page No.11 of 15 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608, 15214 and 20555 of 2018 Internet: Yes mnr Note : In view of the present lock down owing to COVID-19 pandemic, a web copy of the order may be utilized for official purposes, but, ensuring that the copy of the order that is presented is the correct copy, shall be the responsibility of the advocate/litigant concerned _____________ Page No.12 of 15 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608, 15214 and 20555 of 2018 To
1. The Secretary to Government, Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (AH.I), Fort St. George, Secretariate, Chennai – 9.
2. The Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Chennai – 6.
3. The Director of Employment and Training, O/o. The Director of Employment and Training, Guindy, Chennai – 32.
5. The District Employment Officer, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.
6. The District Employment Officer, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli.
7. The District Employment Officer, Madurai District, Madurai.
8. The District Employment Officer, Dindigul District, Dindigul.
_____________ Page No.13 of 15 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608, 15214 and 20555 of 2018 DR.ANITA SUMANTH, J.
mnr W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608, 15214 and 20555 of 2018 and W.M.P.(MD) Nos.2277 to 2279, 11454 to 11456, 11485 to 11487, 13754 to 13756 and 18298 to 18300 of 2018 _____________ Page No.14 of 15 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)Nos.2048, 12561, 12608, 15214 and 20555 of 2018 09.12.2021 _____________ Page No.15 of 15 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis