SIDDALINGAPPA Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Since similar and akin issues are involved in these matters, the same are heard together and disposed of by this common order.

(2.) The respondent Nos. 3 to 8, Electric Supply and Transmission Companies, being State of Karnataka undertakings, run Training Centres at each ESCOM to train selected candidates in the Electrician Trade as Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Initially such training in the Industrial Training Centres (ITC) was given for a period of 3 years to SSLC passed candidates. Respondents had provided 30% quota in the vacant posts of the Assistant Lineman for the candidates with 3 years training under the Apprenticeship Training Programme at the ITCs run by them.

(3.) The respondent Nos.3 to 8 replaced 3 years training course by one year apprentice training course for NCVT ITI trained persons and two years apprentice training course for SCVT ITI trained persons at their ITCs. The respondents are governed by the Karnataka Electricity Board Recruitment and Promotion Regulations, Employees (Probation) Regulations and Employees (Seniority) Regulations ('Regulations' for short). These Regulations prescribe the method of recruitment and the minimum qualification for the post of Assistant Lineman and the same are as under: