The Manager vs State Of Kerala on 15 November, 2011
2. Charge-sheets are said to have been issued for
misconduct against respondents 4 and 5. An enquiry is also said
to have been conducted. Pursuant to the enquiry, the Manager is
said to have issued a proposal for punishment of removal from
service of both the respondents 4 and 5, by a second show
cause notice. As mandated under Rule 74 of Chapter XIV-A of
Kerala Education Rules, 1959 [for brevity "KER"], the Manager
also approached the District Educational Officer [for brevity
"DEO"] seeking approval of the punishment proposed. The DEO
found that the punishment proposed is disproportionate on a
reference to the gravity of the offences alleged and directed the
WP(C).No.21799 of 2014 - 2 -
Manager, specifically, to impose punishment under sub-rule (1) or
(2) of Rule 65 of Chapter XIV-A KER. The Manager contends that
the said order is unsustainable for reason of the DEO not being
competent to propose an alternate punishment. He could either
reject or approve the punishment and in the event of rejection, the
Manager could make an alternate proposal. So much is clear as
has been declared by a Division Bench of this Court, in the
decision reported in Muhammed v. Secretary to Government
[2003 (2) KLT SN 26 (Case No.34)].