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AMICUS AI
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Case Number
Attorney(S)
Judges
Acts
  • Rule 7 of Chapter III of the Kerala Education Rules (for short, KER)
  • Rule 51A and the amendment of Sub Rule 3 of Rule 7A
  • Rule 51A and Sub Rule 3 of Rule 7A
  • Educational Officer.9. Rule 7
  • INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES ACT
  • Sub Rule 3 of Rule 7A
  • vacancies.20. Rule 49
  • rule 49 or rule 52
  • Manager.16. Rule 8
  • hand.21. Rule 52
  • Rule 49 or 52
  • 15. Rule 7
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Cites
Cited by
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Case Number
Attorney(S)
Judges
Acts
  • Rule 7 of Chapter III of the Kerala Education Rules (for short, KER)
  • Rule 51A and the amendment of Sub Rule 3 of Rule 7A
  • Rule 51A and Sub Rule 3 of Rule 7A
  • Educational Officer.9. Rule 7
  • INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES ACT
  • Sub Rule 3 of Rule 7A
  • vacancies.20. Rule 49
  • rule 49 or rule 52
  • Manager.16. Rule 8
  • hand.21. Rule 52
  • Rule 49 or 52
  • 15. Rule 7
Smart Summary

Judgment Summary — Extracted from the Provided Opinion

Factual and Procedural Background

The petitioner was appointed to several short-term posts in a school managed by the 1st respondent: as an Upper Primary School Assistant (UPSA) in a maternity leave vacancy from 26-8-2002 to 7-1-2003 (salary paid; approval later by the 2nd respondent on 22-11-2006); as a High School Assistant (HSA) on daily wages from 5-6-2006 to 31-8-2006 (approved 25-9-2006; wages paid); and again as HSA on daily wages from 18-9-2006 to 17-11-2006 (approved 1-11-2007; wages paid).

A long-term UPSA leave vacancy existed from 7-6-2005 to 5-6-2010. The 1st respondent appointed the 4th respondent to that vacancy, but the 2nd respondent rejected the proposal (Ext.P1). The petitioner claimed entitlement to that vacancy by complaint (Ext.P2) and, after inaction, obtained directions from this Court in W.P.(C) No.13756 of 2006 to have the claim considered. The Government directed consideration (Ext.P3). The 2nd respondent later approved the petitioner's 26-8-2002 to 7-1-2003 appointment (22-11-2006). The 2nd respondent sought details for approval of the 18-9-2006 to 17-11-2006 appointment (Ext.P4), which the 1st respondent did not supply; after further litigation and directions (Ext.P6, Ext.P7, Ext.P9, Ext.P10), the 2nd respondent directed the 1st respondent to appoint the petitioner as UPSA from 7-6-2005 to 5-6-2010 (Ext.P10 dated 9-1-2008), but the 1st respondent did not comply.

The 1st and 4th respondents filed revision petitions against Ext.P10. The Government passed Ext.P12 (27-9-2008) holding that the petitioner could not claim preference under Rule 51A because his appointment to UPSA was approved only on 22-11-2006 — after the vacancy arose on 7-6-2005. The petitioner challenged Ext.P12 by the present writ petition. The learned single Judge noted conflicting Division Bench authority on whether approval of original appointment is necessary for Rule 51A preference, and the matter was referred to a Full Bench.

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether approval of appointment is required for claiming preference for appointment under Rule 51A of Chapter XIV A of the Kerala Education Rules (KER).
  2. Whether a claim for preference under Rule 51A, based on original appointment to a short-term vacancy exceeding two months, is lost after the amendments to Rules 7A and 51A (effective 27-4-2005) which introduced a minimum continuous service of one academic year.

Arguments of the Parties

Petitioner's Arguments

  • The appointment of a teacher is effective from the date on which the teacher was admitted to duty, irrespective of the date of approval of the appointment (i.e., approval does not control the effective date).

Respondents' Arguments

  • Respondents 1 and 4: An appointment takes effect only from the date of approval by the Educational Officer.
  • 4th respondent (additional point): A Division Bench decision (in Writ Appeal Nos. 2964 of 2007 and 516 of 2008) and the dismissal of related Special Leave Petitions by the Supreme Court were said to support retrospective application of the amendment to Rule 51A, thereby sustaining Ext.P12.

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent Rule or Principle Cited For Application by the Court
Geetha S. v. Smt. Geo Thomas K. & Others (2009 (4) KLT 514) Held that approval of appointment was not necessary for claiming preference under Rule 51A. The Full Bench upheld the view in Geetha's case as legally correct and relied on it to hold that approval need not precede the accrual of a Rule 51A claim.
Writ Appeal No. 254 of 1972 [Ext. R4 (g)] (K.V. Mary v. Regional Deputy Director of Public Instructions) Division Bench view that, in absence of approval, appointment cannot be said to be effective; thus no service for Rule 51A preference. The Full Bench overruled this Division Bench view, holding instead that approval relates back to the date of joining once granted and that Rule 51A claim is not dependent on prior approval.
O.P. No. 17698 of 1995 (C.L. Francis v. State of Kerala) Single Judge view that subsequent approval cannot create a right to be considered for an earlier vacancy. The Full Bench overruled this single Judge decision, finding that approval operates to make the appointment effective from date of joining and so vested rights can accrue.
Ponnamma v. Manager, K.A.M.U.P School, Muthukulam (ILR 1972 (2) Ker 176) Single Judge held Rule 7 makes appointment effective from date teacher was admitted to duty (approval takes effect from date of joining). The Full Bench upheld and followed Ponnamma as legally correct, relying on its interpretation of Rule 7.
Poornima v. Director Of Public Instructions (2005 (3) KLT 502) Single Judge held that approval of appointment relates back to the date of joining and approved service is to be treated from the joining date. The Full Bench upheld Poornima and applied the same principle that approval, once granted, is effective from the date of admission to duty.
Abdurahiman v. Government of Kerala (2009 (2) KLT 105) Considered amendments to Rule 51A and Rule 7A (which came into force 27-4-2005) and held that accrued rights of persons appointed to short-term vacancies exceeding two months before amendment are not affected by the amendment. The Full Bench adopted Abdurahiman's approach: the amendments have prospective effect and cannot divest already vested Rule 51A claims arising before 27-4-2005.
Sreelekha v. Manoj (2012 (3) KLT 54) Division Bench held the amendments operate prospectively; unamended rules apply to appointments made prior to amendment. The Full Bench cited Sreelekha with approval to support the conclusion that amendments have only prospective effect and do not defeat pre-amendment vested claims.
Prabhakaran v. General Manager, K.S.R.T.C (1981 KLT 164) Industrial jurisprudence principle that short-term incumbents could be entitled to re-appointment; cited to analogise principle of preference for re-appointment. The Court referred to Prabhakaran as background principle to support that short-term appointees may acquire re-appointment rights; used in reasoning about vested rights under Rule 51A.
Writ Appeal Nos. 2964 of 2007 and 516 of 2008 Referenced by 4th respondent as supporting retrospective application of amendment to Rule 51A (judgment later subject to dismissal of SLPs). The Full Bench found that those judgments did not decide the retrospective/prospective question regarding the specific amendments and thus declined to treat them as supporting retrospective operation; the Full Bench rejected reliance on those cases for that proposition.
Saleena v. State of Kerala W.P.(C) No.15291 of 2007 (2008 (1) KLT 437) Single Judge decision whose view was overruled in Abdurahiman (as mentioned in the opinion). The Full Bench referenced the conflict and followed the approach in Abdurahiman which had overruled the Saleena single Judge view.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The Court analyzed the matter primarily by interpreting Rule 7, Rule 7A and Rule 51A of Chapter XIV A of the KER and reviewing competing authorities.

On Rule 7: the Rule states that "the appointment shall be effective from the date on which the teacher is admitted to duty, provided the appointment is duly approved." The Court reasoned that approval and appointment do not necessarily occur simultaneously; approval may be given later when required conditions and documents are satisfied. When approval is granted, it "relates back" to the date of admission to duty and makes the appointment effective from that earlier date. Thus, the Court held that the effective date of appointment, once approved, is the date of admission to duty and not the later date of approval.

The Court considered practical and policy consequences: if a Rule 51A claim depended on the contemporaneous granting of approval, a Manager or Educational Officer could arbitrarily delay approval to defeat claimants' preferential rights. The Court found such dependence unacceptable because a right that accrues under a provision of law should not be made contingent on the volition or delay of administrative authorities.

The Court therefore overruled earlier decisions which took the opposite view — specifically O.P. No.17698 of 1995 (C.L. Francis) and the Division Bench in Writ Appeal No.254 of 1972 (K.V. Mary) — and upheld decisions holding that approval relates back to date of joining, namely Ponnamma and Poornima and the Division Bench in Geetha S.

On the effect of amendments to Rules 7A and 51A (effective 27-4-2005): The Court examined the text of the amendments. The amendment to Rule 51A introduced a proviso requiring a minimum continuous service of one academic year for teachers relieved under Rules 49 or 52. Simultaneously the amendment to Rule 7A(3) changed the threshold for filling vacancies from those of "two months or less" to "less than one academic year."

The Court explained that Rule 51A relates to teachers relieved under Rules 49 or 52 or on account of termination of vacancies, but the first proviso to Rule 51A applies only to those relieved under Rules 49 or 52. Therefore, teachers relieved on account of termination of vacancies (like the petitioner) are not subject to the new one-academic-year minimum and remain entitled to preference under Rule 51A.

The Court further held that the amendments were prospective and could not divest vested rights that had already accrued prior to 27-4-2005. Persons appointed to short-term vacancies extending beyond two months prior to the amendment had already acquired a vested right under the pre-amendment Rules; an amendment raising the minimum service requirement could not retrospectively destroy those vested rights. The Court expressly agreed with the Division Bench decisions in Abdurahiman and Sreelekha which held the amendments operate prospectively.

Applying these principles to the facts, the Court concluded that the petitioner’s appointment to the UPSA leave vacancy from 26-8-2002 to 7-1-2003 — which was later approved on 22-11-2006 — vested in him a right under Rule 51A to claim preference for the long-term vacancy that arose on 7-6-2005. That vested right was not extinguished by the 2005 amendments. The Government’s Ext.P12 (which denied his claim on the basis that approval was only on 22-11-2006) was therefore unsustainable.

Holding and Implications

Holding: Ext.P12 is quashed and the Writ Petition is allowed.

Direct consequences and directions issued by the Court:

  • The 1st respondent is directed to appoint the petitioner as UPSA to the leave vacancy arising on 7-6-2005 as directed earlier by the 2nd respondent in Ext.P10.
  • The 2nd respondent is directed to approve that appointment.
  • The petitioner is entitled to consequential service benefits on the basis of that appointment.
  • Respondents 2 and 3 are directed to take necessary action to disburse the salary due to the petitioner for the period during which the 1st respondent refused to appoint him to the leave vacancy of 7-6-2005.

Broader legal implications (as addressed in the opinion):

  • The Court resolved an apparent conflict in earlier Division Bench and single Judge decisions by overruling authorities that required prior approval as a precondition for Rule 51A claims and by endorsing authorities holding that approval, when granted, has retrospective effect to the date of admission to duty.
  • The Court held that the amendments to Rules 7A and 51A (effective 27-4-2005) operate prospectively and do not affect vested rights of persons who acquired Rule 51A claims before the amendments.
  • The Court clarified that the first proviso to amended Rule 51A applies only to teachers relieved under Rules 49 or 52 and does not apply to teachers relieved on account of termination of vacancies; such latter teachers remain eligible for Rule 51A preference without the one-academic-year minimum.

This summary is confined strictly to the materials and statements contained in the provided opinion and does not add or infer facts beyond those presented in that text.

    Soman P.S. v. A.K.M. High School

    JUDGMENT

    BABU MATHEW P. JOSEPH, J.

    The petitioner was initially appointed as an Upper Primary School Assistant (for short, UPSA) in a maternity leave vacancy from 26-8-2002 to 7-1-2003 in the school managed by the 1st respondent. This appointment has been approved by the 2nd respondent as per his order dated 22-11-2006. The salary due to him for that period was also paid to him. He was appointed as a High School Assistant (for short, HSA) in that school to a leave vacancy from 5-6-2006 to 31-8-2006 on daily wages. This appointment was approved by the 2 respondent by his order dated 25-9-2006. The wages due to him was also paid. He was again appointed as HSA to a leave vacancy in that school on daily wages from 18-9-2006 to 17-11-2006. That appointment was also approved by the 2 respondent as per his order dated 1-11-2007. The wages due to the petitioner for that period was also paid.

    2. In the meanwhile, a long term leave vacancy from 7-6-2005 to 5-6-2010 in the post of UPSA arose in that school consequent on the promotion of one UPSA as HSA to a long term leave vacancy of HSA from 7-6-2005 to 5-6-2010. The 1 respondent appointed the 4th respondent to that long term vacancy of UPSA from 7-6-2005 to 5-6-2010. The proposal for the approval of the appointment of the 4 respondent was rejected by the 2 respondent as per Ext.P1 order. Since the petitioner was entitled to be appointed to the said vacancy that arose on 7-6-2005, he preferred Ext.P2 complaint before the 2 respondent on 30-6-2005 staking his claim for that vacancy. As no action was taken in the matter, the petitioner approached this Court by filing W.P (C) No. 13756 of 2006 which was disposed of by this Court by judgment dated 2-6-2006 directing the Government, the 3rd respondent, to consider the petitioner's claim after hearing of the parties concerned. Thereupon the matter was heard and Ext.P3 order has been passed by the Government on 23-9-2006 directing the 2 respondent to approve the appointment of the petitioner from 26-8-2002 to 7-1-2003, if he is otherwise eligible. Thereafter, the 2 respondent has approved the appointment of the petitioner from 26-8-2002 to 7-1-2003 as per his order dated 22-11-2006. The 2 respondent by his Ext. P4 letter dated 2-3-2007 directed the 1 respondent to furnish the details regarding the appointment of the petitioner for the purpose of approving his appointment for the period from 18-9-2006 to 17-11-2006. But, the 1 respondent has not furnished the required information to the 2 respondent. The petitioner on several occasions approached the 2 respondent for taking further action in the matter. Since the 1 respondent has not furnished the required information, no orders have been passed by the 2 respondent in the matter. However, the 2 respondent has not taken any action against the 1 respondent for his inaction in the matter of furnishing the required information called for by the 2 respondent in Ext.P4

    3. Since the 2 respondent has failed to take appropriate action against the Manager, the petitioner was constrained to approach this Court by filing W.P (C) No. 21734 of 2007 and this Court issued orders for complying with the directions in Ext.P4 Having found that the respondents failed to comply with the same, this Court passed Ext.P6 order. It is evident from Ext. P6 that disqualifying of the 1 respondent was proposed and the 1 respondent was given an opportunity to make his submissions against such proposal before the Deputy Director of Education, failing which, the Deputy Director of Education was directed to take further proceedings in accordance with law. Thereafter, the petitioner's appointment as HSA from 18-9-2006 to 17-11-2006 has been approved by the 2 respondent by his Ext.P7 order dated 1-11-2007. The question with regard to the entitlement of the petitioner for appointment to the long term leave vacancy of UPSA from 7-6-2005 to 5-6-2010 was remaining then without taking any action. The 4 respondent was continuing in that vacancy. Therefore, the petitioner filed a detailed representation before the Government requesting to issue a direction to the 1 respondent to appoint him to that vacancy replacing the 4 respondent. Since the 1 respondent has not appointed the petitioner who is the legitimate claimant to be appointed as UPSA from 7-6-2005 onwards, it was also requested to take action against the 1 respondent under Rule 7 of Chapter III of the Kerala Education Rules (for short, KER) after disbursing salary due to the petitioner and to recover the same from the 1 respondent. Since the Department has not taken any action on the representation, the petitioner approached this Court by filing W.P (C) No. 37642 of 2007. This Court, by Ext.P9 judgment in that Writ Petition, directed the 2 respondent to consider and pass appropriate orders on the representation filed by the petitioner, after affording an opportunity of being heard to the parties concerned. Accordingly, the 2 respondent has considered the matter and passed Ext.P10 order dated 9-1-2008 directing the 1 respondent to appoint the petitioner as UPSA in his school from 7-6-2005 to 5-6-2010. The 1 respondent has not complied with the directions issued by the 2 respondent in Ext.P10 Therefore, the petitioner has preferred Ext.P11 representation before the 2 respondent seeking action against the 1 respondent.

    4. The respondents 1 and 4 filed revision petitions before the Government challenging Ext.P10 order of the 2 respondent. The Government, after considering those revision petitions, passed Ext.P12 order dated 27-9-2008 holding that the petitioner cannot have any claim under Rule 51A of Chapter XIV A of the KER as his appointment to the post of UPSA in the school from 26-8-2002 to 7-1-2003 was approved only on 22-11-2006. That is much after the vacancy arose on 7-6-2005. Therefore, he cannot have any preferential claim for appointment to the vacancy of UPSA that arose on 7-6-2005. Challenging Ext.P12, the petitioner has preferred this Writ Petition.

    5. When this Writ Petition came up for hearing, a learned single Judge found apparent conflict between the views taken by two Division Benches of this court in the decisions in Geetha S. v. Smt. Geo Thomas K. & Others (2009 (4) KLT 514) and in Writ Appeal No. 254 of 1972 [Ext. R4 (g)] on the question as to whether approval of original appointment is necessary for claiming preference for appointment to future vacancies under Rule 51A in Chapter XIV A of the KER. In Geetha's case, a Division Bench took the view that approval of appointment was not necessary for claiming preference for appointment to a future vacancy. But, the view taken by another Division Bench in Ext. R4 (g) was that for claiming preference under Rule 51A, approval of appointment was necessary. In view of this conflict, the learned single Judge found the necessity of an authoritative pronouncement by a Full Bench of this Court on this issue and hence, passed a Reference Order for that purpose. Thereafter, this Writ Petition came up for hearing before a Division Bench. The Division Bench also found the said apparent conflict between those two judgments and hence, the matter was adjourned for considering by a Full Bench as per their Lordships' Reference Order. Thus, this Writ Petition came up for hearing before us.

    6. Heard Sri. N.N Sugunapalan, the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner, Sri. P.V Jayachandran, the learned counsel appearing for the 1 respondent, Sri. Biju Meenattoor, the learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 2 and 3, and Sri. V.A Muhammed, the learned counsel appearing for the 4 respondent.

    7. The following questions arise for our consideration:

    1. Whether approval of appointment is required for preference for appointment under Rule 51A of Chapter XIV A of the KER?

    2. Whether a claim for preference for appointment under Rule 51A of Chapter XIV A of the KER accrued to a person based on his original appointment to a short term vacancy of beyond two months duration will be lost after the amendments of Rules 7A and 51A of Chapter XIV A of the KER which came into force with effect from 27-4-2005, for want of a minimum continuous service of one academic year?

    8. Learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the appointment of a teacher shall be effective from the date on which the teacher was admitted to duty irrespective of the date of approval of the appointment. On the other hand, the learned counsel appearing for the respondents 1 and 4 contended that the appointment will take effect only from the date of approval of that appointment by the Educational Officer.

    9. Rule 7 of Chapter XIV A of the KER reads as follows:

    “As soon as a teacher is appointed in a school, the Manager shall immediately issue an appointment order to the teacher in Form 27 and the appointment shall be effective from the date on which the teacher is admitted to duty, provided the appointment is duly approved”.

    10. The Government, in Ext.P12 order, relied on a decision of a learned single Judge of this court in O.P No. 17698 of 1995. It was observed by the learned single Judge in this decision that in view of the fact that the vacancy arose in 1993 and at that time the petitioner did not have any approved service, he cannot claim the benefit of Rule 51A of Chapter XIV A of the KER. The subsequent approval of appointment of the petitioner in 1996 cannot clothe the petitioner with any right to be considered for appointment in 1993.

    11. In the judgment in Writ Appeal No. 254 of 1972 [Ext.R4 (g)], a Division Bench of this Court was dealing with a case where the appellant was appointed as a Lower Primary School Assistant from 1-7-1968 to 27-9-1968 in a leave vacancy. Subsequently, to a vacancy that arose on 3-9-1969, the Manager appointed the 4 respondent, a fresh hand. The appellant raised a claim under Rule 51A of Chapter XIV A of the KER for appointment to that vacancy. The Manager as well as the Department rejected her claim for the reason that her appointment from 1-7-1968 to 27-9-1968 was not approved. The Division Bench in that case observed that Rule 7 of Chapter XIV A provides that the appointment of a teacher shall be effective from the date on which the teacher is admitted to duty, provided the appointment is duly approved. Hence, in the absence of approval, the appointment cannot be said to have become effective. Consequently, it is not service which may give preference under Rule 51A of Chapter XIV A. Therefore, rejected the claim of the appellant for appointment under Rule 51A.

    12. A learned single Judge of this Court had occasion to consider Rule 7 in Ponnamma v. Manager, K.A.M.U.P School, Muthukulam (ILR 1972 (2) Ker 176). The learned single Judge observed in this judgment that it was clear from the Rule that the appointment shall be effective from the date on which the teacher was admitted to duty. In other words, the approval will take effect from the date on which the teacher joins duty.

    13. Another learned single Judge of this Court considered a similar question in Poornima v. Director Of Public Instructions (2005 (3) KLT 502). In that case the petitioner was appointed as HSA from 22-6-2000 to 1-11-2000 and the 7 respondent was appointed as HSA from 22-12-1999 to 23-2-2000. The appointment of the 7 respondent was approved by order dated 20-3-2004 and that of the petitioner much earlier. It was held in that decision that going by the relevant Rule in Chapter XIV A of the KER, the approval of appointment of the 7 respondent granted as per order dated 20-3-2004 will relate back to 22-12-1999 and the approved service of the petitioner will be from 22-6-2000.

    14. In Geetha's case (supra), the appellant was appointed as UPSA in a maternity leave vacancy from 6-6-2002 to 17-10-2002. A regular vacancy of UPSA arose on 2-9-2002. The 1 respondent, a fresh hand, was appointed to that vacancy. The appointment of the appellant was approved only on 12-6-2003. In that case also the claim of the appellant for preference for appointment under Rule 51A to the vacancy that arose on 2-9-2002 was turned down for the reason that the appointment of the appellant to the leave vacancy was approved only on 12-6-2003. The Division Bench, in that case, observed as follows:

    “……The Manager could not take shelter behind the plea that when the regular vacancy arose, the appointment of the appellant in the maternity leave vacancy was not approved. The Manager knew that the appointment was in a maternity leave vacancy which arose in a post sanctioned as per the Staff Fixation Order of that year, that the appellant was qualified for appointment as U.P.S.A also and therefore, even if there is delay, the appellant's appointment was going to be approved. Therefore, when the regular vacancy arose, the appellant should have been accommodated in that vacancy and a fresh hand could have been appointed only in the remaining portion of the maternity leave vacancy, in which the appellant was working. ……”

    15. Rule 7 clearly shows that the appointment shall be effective from the date on which the teacher is admitted to duty, provided the appointment is duly approved. Therefore, the appointment so made by the Manager shall be effective from the date on which the teacher is admitted to duty, if that appointment is duly approved by the concerned Educational Officer. The approval of appointment of a teacher is dependent on some other factors. Appointment and its approval do not take place simultaneously. In other words, the approval takes place, on fulfilling the required matters, on a subsequent date. When the appointment is so approved by the Educational Officer, necessarily, that appointment should be effective from the date on which the teacher was admitted to duty as provided in Rule 7. In other words, the appointment will be effective from the date on which the teacher joined duty once that appointment is approved by the Educational Officer irrespective of the date of approval of that appointment. Therefore, going by Rule 7, the approval will take effect from the date on which the teacher joined duty on the basis of appointment made by the Manager.

    16. Rule 8 of Chapter XIV A of the KER deals with the matters concerning approval of appointment and the required documents. Rule 8(2) stipulates that approval may be given as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, not later than 30 days from the date of receipt of appointment order and other documents by the Educational Officer. There can be so many reasons for occurring delay in granting approval of appointment by the Educational Officer such as delay in sending the required documents by the Manager, administrative reasons in the office of the Educational Officer etc. etc. That the period within which the appointment has to be approved is not within the control of the teacher who is appointed. If a claim under Rule 51A will be defeated for the reason that the original appointment is remaining unapproved by the time the next vacancy arises, chances are high for a Manager or an Educational Officer to delay the approval of the original appointment in order to prevent that person from claiming preferential appointment under Rule 51A and to appoint another person to that vacancy on that ground. A right which is accrued under a provision of law cannot be so dependent upon the volition of a Manager or an Educational Officer. When a person is appointed, complying with Rule 7A of Chapter XIV A of the KER, in a short term vacancy shall be entitled to raise a claim for preference for appointment as provided under Rule 51A if the conditions under that Rule are satisfied. If such a right under Rule 51A is dependent upon the approval of the original appointment which may lead to arbitrary exercise of power by a Manager or an Educational Officer or by both preventing the legitimate claimants from exercising their claim under Rule 51A. This shall not be permitted to happen. The right to raise a claim under Rule 51A shall not be dependent upon the factum of approval of the original appointment. But, it should be based on the appointment made complying with Rule 7A. Therefore, we overrule the view taken by the learned Judge in the judgment in O.P No. 17698 of 1995 (C.L Francis v. State of Kerala) and the view taken by the Division Bench in the judgment in Writ Appeal No. 254 of 1972 (K.V Mary v. Regional Deputy Director of Public Instructions) and we uphold the view taken by the learned Judges in Ponnamma v. Manager, K.A.M.U.P School, Muthukulam (ILR 1972 (2) Ker 176) and in Poornima v. Director Of Public Instructions (2005 (3) KLT 502) and by the Division Bench in Geetha S. v. Smt. Geo Thomas K. & Others (2009 (4) KLT 514) as legally correct.

    17. Rule 51A of Chapter XIV A of the KER has been amended by introducing two new provisos. Simultaneously, Rule 7A(3) was also amended. These amendments came into force on 27-4-2005. The first proviso to Rule 51A stipulates that a teacher who was relieved under Rule 49 or 52 shall not be entitled to preference for appointment under this Rule unless such teacher has a minimum continuous service of one academic year as on the date of relief. After the amendment, Sub Rule 3 of Rule 7A stipulates that vacancies, the duration of which is less than one academic year, shall not be filled up. There were conflicting decisions rendered by the learned single Judges of this Court regarding the impact of the newly introduced first proviso to Rule 51A. In view of the conflicting views on the point, W.P (C) No. 19776 of 2007 was referred for decision by a Division Bench of this Court. The Division Bench considered in detail the impact of the newly introduced first proviso to Rule 51A and Sub Rule 3 of Rule 7A along with some other provisions. The decision of the Division Bench is reported in Abdurahiman v. Government of Kerala (2009 (2) KLT 105) in which it is held as follows:

    “14. The point to be decided is whether the persons who were appointed before 25-6-2005 to short-term vacancies extending beyond two months and whose appointments were approved and on termination who became 51A claimants, will be affected by this amendment introduced on 25-6-2005. We feel that an interpretation which will affect them is not possible, going by the plain meaning of the words of the Rule. Up to 25-6-2005, it was possible to appoint persons to vacancies having a duration not less than two months. Such appointees, on being relieved, were treated as 51A claimants also. Even in the absence of any such rule, it is a well recognised principle in Industrial Jurisprudence that a person retrenched from service should be preferred, when vacancy arises in future. Earlier, it was thought that the said benefit flowing from Chap. VA of the Industrial Disputes Act in favour of the workmen was available only if retrenchment is made after working for 240 days. The said concept has been knocked down by the judgment of the Division Bench of this Court in Prabhakaran v. General Manager, K.S.R.T.C (1981 KLT 164). So, in industries, persons appointed for one or two months, if retrenched, were entitled to get re-appointments when vacancies arise in future. In the case of Educational institutions, the minimum incumbency period was fixed as two months. That is because a valid appointment can be made only if the vacancy extends beyond that period. Now, it is provided that appointments can be made, if only the duration of the vacancy is one academic year and only such incumbents are to be given preference in future appointments. But, the said amendment can in no way affect the rights accrued to persons, on the strength of their appointment to short duration vacancies exceeding two months, made earlier to the amendment. The right of them to get re-appointment was always recognised by R. 51A. But, after 25-6-2005, one can be appointed if only the vacancy has a duration of one academic year. Therefore, naturally, such persons alone can get the right to re-appointment also. So, the interpretation sought to be advanced by the respondents that the writ petitioner has no right for re-appointment under R. 51A, in view of the introduction of the first proviso to the said rule, cannot be accepted. Therefore, we overrule the view taken by the learned Judge in W.P (C) No. 15291 of 2007 (2008 (1) KLT 437-Saleena v. State of Kerala) and uphold the view taken by the learned Judges in W.P (C) Nos. 31924 of 2005 and 19155 of 2005, as legally correct. The reference is answered accordingly.” (The amendments to Rules 7A and 51A came into force on 27-4-2005 and not on 25-6-2005).

    18. Another Division Bench of this Court considered the amendments to Rules 7A and 51A in Sreelekha v. Manoj (2012 (3) KLT 54). The Division Bench held that the amendments will have only prospective effect and for appointments made prior to the amendments, the unamended Rules would apply. Therefore, the 1 respondent in that case who was appointed temporarily from 12-7-2004 to 31-3-2005 in the school was found to be entitled to Rule 51A claim for the next regular vacancy that arose on 2-6-2008. Even though that regular vacancy arose only after the amendments to Rules 7A and 51A, the 1 respondent was found to be eligible to the post that fell vacant on 2-6-2008.

    19. The relevant portion of Rule 51A, as it stood prior to the amendment came into force on 27-4-2005, reads as follows:

    “51A. Qualified teachers who are relieved as per Rule 49 or 52 or on account of termination of vacancies shall have preference for appointment to future vacancies in schools under the same Educational Agency or an Educational Agency to which the school may be subsequently transferred provided they have not been appointed in permanent vacancies in schools under any other Educational Agency.”

    The relevant portion of Rule 51A, after the amendment came into force on 27-4-2005, reads as follows:

    “51A. Qualified teachers who are relieved as per Rule 49 or 52 or on account of termination of vacancies shall have preference for appointment to future vacancies in schools under the same Educational Agency or an Educational Agency to which the school may be subsequently transferred provided they have not been appointed in permanent vacancies in schools under any other Educational Agency.

    Provided that a teacher who was relieved under rule 49 or rule 52 shall not be entitled to preference for appointment under this rule unless such teacher has a minimum continuous service of one academic year as on the date of relief:

    Provided further that the first preference under this rule shall be given to protected teachers.”

    Rule 51A refers to teachers who are relieved as per.

    Rule 49 or 52 or on account of termination of vacancies.

    20. Rule 49 reads as follows:

    “49. Qualified teachers except Headmasters appointed in vacancies which are not permanent which extend over the summer vacation and who continue in such vacancies till the closing date shall be retained in the vacancies during the vacation, if their continuous service as on the closing day is not less than eight months. The teachers so retained shall be entitled to the vacation salary. These teachers shall be relieved on the closing day if their continuous service as on that day is less than the aforesaid period.

    This rule shall not apply to teacher appointed in training vacancies.” This Rule deals with the appointees in temporary vacancies who have not completed eight months of service on the closing day and some other matters. This provision is not applicable to the case on hand.

    21. Rule 52 reads as follows:

    “52. (1) Teachers who are relieved on account of any reduction in the number of posts under orders of the Department shall on re-appointment in the same school or in another school under the same management or a different management start on the same pay as they were getting at the time of relief, whether the new appointment is permanent or not.

    (2) Teachers thrown out from service due to the withdrawal of recognition of schools by the Department shall also be eligible to draw the pay which they were getting at the time of withdrawal of recognition of the school on re-appointment in another school.”

    This Rule deals with teachers who are relieved on account of any reduction in the number of posts under orders of the Department and some other matters. This provision is also not applicable to the case on hand. Rule 51A deals with teachers covered by Rules 49 and 52 as well as those teachers relieved on account of termination of vacancies like the petitioner herein. The first proviso to Rule 51A deals with only those teachers who are relieved under Rules 49 or 52 and not the teachers relieved on account of termination of vacancies. Therefore, teachers who are relieved on account of termination of vacancies like the petitioner herein are unaffected by the introduction of first proviso to Rule 51A. In other words, the teachers who are relieved on account of termination of vacancies like the petitioner need not have a minimum continuous service of one academic year as on the date of relief even after the introduction of first proviso to Rule 51A for claiming preference for appointment. They are still entitled to claim preference for appointment under Rule 51A.

    22. Rule 7A(3), as it stood before the amendment came into force on 27-4-2005, reads as follows:

    “7A (1) xxxx

    (2) xxxx

    (3) Vacancies, the duration of which is two months or less, shall not be filled up by any appointment.”

    After the amendment, it reads as follows:

    “7A (1) xxxx

    (2) xxxx

    (3) Vacancies, the duration of which is less than one academic year, shall not be filled up.”

    23. Whether the introduction of first proviso to Rule 51A and the amendment of Sub Rule 3 of Rule 7A can take away the right of preference for appointments under Rule 51A accrued to those persons based on their appointments to short term vacancies extending beyond two months prior to 27-4-2005 is the question to be decided. The amendments came into force on 27-4-2005. These amendments were not given any retrospective application. They have only prospective application. By the appointment to short term vacancies extending beyond two months under the unamended Rule 7A, a claim under Rule 51A has been accrued to such appointees. Such a right has become vested in them by operation of Rule 51A. Such a vested right cannot be taken away by introducing amendment enhancing the duration of minimum service to one academic year. Such amendment cannot have retrospective operation affecting such vested rights and hence, can only have prospective operation. We are in respectful agreement with the views expressed by the Division Benches of this court in Abdurahiman's case (supra) and Sreelekha's case (supra).

    24. In the case on hand, the petitioner was appointed as UPSA in a leave vacancy from 26-8-2002 to 7-1-2003 and that appointment had been approved by order dated 22-11-2006 of the 2 respondent. By the appointment of the petitioner from 26-8-2002 to 7-1-2003, a right to claim preference for appointment under Rule 51A has been accrued to and vested with him. Such a right cannot be taken away by the amendment introduced on 27-4-2005. The right to claim preference for appointment thus accrued to the petitioner under Rule 51A survives even after the amendments to Rules 7A and 51A with effect from 27-4-2005. Therefore, the petitioner is entitled to preference for appointment to the vacancy of UPSA that arose on 7-6-2005 in the school under Rule 51A unaffected by the amendments to Rules 7A and 51A introduced with effect from 27-4-2005.

    25. Learned counsel for the 4 respondent submitted that a Division Bench of this Court considered the amended Rule 51A in Writ Appeal Nos. 2964 of 2007 and 516 of 2008 and, based on the observation made in the judgment in those cases, the amendment should be applied retrospectively. He also submitted that the judgment in these Writ Appeals has been challenged before the Honourable Supreme Court by filing SLP (Civil) Nos. 6926 and 6927 of 2010 and the Honourable Supreme Court dismissed those Special Leave Petitions. Therefore, according to the learned counsel, Ext.P12 order passed by the Government is sustainable. The Division Bench of this Court has not considered the question of retrospective or prospective application of the amendments to Rules 7A and 51A in Writ Appeal Nos. 2964 of 2007 and 516 of 2008. The Division Bench in the judgment in those cases has not declared the position of law after the amendments. Therefore, the judgment so cited by the learned counsel for the 4 respondent cannot be relied on for the proposition that the amendments will have retrospective operation and hence, Ext.P12 order is sustainable. The Special Leave Petitions were dismissed by the Honourable Supreme Court by a single line order which reads as follows:

    ‘The Special Leave Petitions are dismissed.’ No pronouncement on the question of retrospective application or prospective application of the amendments to Rules 7A and 51A of Chapter XIV A of the KER has been made by the Honourable Supreme Court. By the dismissal of the Special Leave Petitions, the judgment of the Division Bench of this court is left unaffected. But, this judgment does not lay down any binding judicial precedent in respect of the amendments to Rules 7A and 51A. Therefore, the contention raised by the learned counsel for the 4 respondent is liable to be rejected and hence, we do so.

    26. For the reasons set out above, Ext.P12 order passed by the 3 respondent is liable to be set aside. The petitioner is entitled to be appointed in the long term leave vacancy of UPSA from 7-6-2005 to 5-6-2010 as directed in Ext.P10 by the 2 respondent and to receive the consequential service benefits. A direction to the respondents 2 and 3 shall also need be issued for taking appropriate action to disburse the salary to the petitioner for the period for which the 1 respondent has refused to give appointment to the petitioner to the leave vacancy that arose on 7-6-2005.

    27. In the result, Ext.P12 order is quashed. The 1 respondent is directed to appoint the petitioner as UPSA to the leave vacancy that arose in the school on 7-6-2005 as directed by the 2 respondent in Ext.P10 order. The 2 respondent is directed to approve that appointment.

    The petitioner will be entitled to receive the consequential service benefits on the basis of that appointment. The respondents 2 and 3 shall take necessary action for disbursing the salary due to the petitioner for the period for which the 1 respondent Manager has refused to appoint the petitioner to the leave vacancy of UPSA that arose on 7-6-2005 in the school.

    This Writ Petition is allowed as above.

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