STATE OF KERALA Vs. C.V. ISSAC

JUDGEMENT

(1.) WE have heard the learned Special Government Pleader on behalf of the appellant, State. Respondents are the petitioners in the writ petition, from which this appeal arises. They are Principals of Aided Higher Secondary Schools.

(2.) THE question whether the Higher Secondary Schools can work without a Principal is no more res integra in view of the decision of this Court in Aided Higher Secondary School Teachers' Association v. State of Kerala [ : 2005 (1) KLT 94]. Now, reverting to the facts, it can be seen that the first writ petitioner was selected and appointed as Principal before Chapter XXXII was introduced in KER. That selection was done by a duly constituted select committee and the first writ petitioner is entitled to have his appointment as Principal approved with effect from 26.07.2000, the date of such selection. As far as the second writ petitioner is concerned, the selection committee met on 23.09.2004 and he was selected. That selection was after Chapter XXXII was introduced in KER. He was discharging duties of Principal even before that. Therefore, the learned single Judge has held that he is entitled to have his appointment as Principal approved at least with effect from 23.09.2004. The consequential directions do not give the petitioners any particular pay scale otherwise than what is due to them by virtue of such appointment. The terminal benefits were also ordered to be calculated and released accordingly. We find no legal infirmity or error in the impugned judgment. Writ appeal, therefore, fails.