SREEJITH A K Vs. VIJAYAPURAM GRAMA PANCHAYATH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner is a provisional driver working in the 1st respondent-Grama Panchayat on daily wages. THEre is no approved post of driver in the Grama Panchayat. THErefore, the Grama Panchayat is appointing drivers on casual basis. THE petitioner has been so appointed. But, on account of change of guard in the Panchayat, the petitioner is sought to be terminated from service, is the grievance of the petitioner. THE petitioner seeks the following reliefs:

(2.) I am of opinion that the petitioner can hope to continue in service only if the petitioner was appointed after undergoing a selection process, in which other similarly placed drivers were also given a chance to participate. The petitioner's contention is that in fact, there was a selection process and the notification inviting applications was published in the notice board of the Panchayat as well as in the notice board of the Village Office and the Parampuzha Cultural Center. Therefore, according to the petitioner, the petitioner was appointed after a valid selection process and therefore the petitioner cannot be terminated from service.