A P GOPINATHAN Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THESE three original petitions raise the same issue and hence are disposed of by a common judgment. The averments and submissions of the petitioners in the original petitions are as under. Since the facts are identical, I will refer to the same and the Exhibits as available in O. P. No. 13017/2001.

(2.) THE petitioners in O. P. No. 13017/2001 are 10 in number and Selection Grade Assistants in service of the University of Calicut. They originally joined service as Typists and subsequently got category change as Assistants on various dates as detailed in paragraph 1 of the original petition. The petitioners in O. P. No. 38610/2002, 4 in number, are also Selection Grade Assistants. The petitioners in O. P. No. 36498/2000, 4 in number and those in W. P (C) No. 32415/2003, 10 in number, are Selection Grade Assistants, Senior Grade Assistants, Assistants Grade II and Assistants Grade I. All petitioners in the original petitions are undergraduates.

(3.) THE posts of Selection Grade Assistant is the feeder category for promotion to the post of Section Officer. Formerly, no particular educational qualification was prescribed for the post of Section Officer. Promotions were based on seniority of persons in the feeder category.