SAJITHA. P. P. Vs. ADMINISTRATOR, LAKSHADWEEP ADMINISTRATION, KAVARATTI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Petitioner has approached the Central Administrative Tribunal, Ernakulam Bench, challenging her transfer from Lady Social Welfare Organizer at Kavaratti Headquarters to Officer in Charge WCD unit, Androth. She seeks to quash the transfer order dtd. 13/12/2024. The Tribunal dismissed her application, stating that the post of Lady Social Welfare Organiser is a lone post in the entire Lakshadweep Union Territory and not specific to Kavaratti. However, the Petitioner challenges the same on the ground that the post is strictly confined to the island of Kavaratti and therefore, she cannot be transferred to any other island.

(2.) The Petitioner, who began her service as a Lady Village Officer in 2005 and was promoted to Lady Social Welfare Organizer in 2020, was previously posted at the Kavaratti Headquarters. She is now challenging her transfer to Androth, asserting that no Lady Social Welfare Organizer post exists there or on any other Lakshadweep island. While the LVEO (Lady Village Extension Officer) post became vacant, six new LVEOs were recruited in December 2024 to fill vacancies across various islands. Her main argument is that she is being transferred to a non-existent post at Androth and will have to work as a LVEO.

(3.) The Petitioner also relies deeply on personal grounds that she is a married lady, with two school-going children, and Androth lacks a Kendriya Vidyalaya, posing a significant educational challenge. Moreover, she has been undergoing treatment for facial palsy and bell palsy for several months. She fears this transfer would not only disrupt her family life and health, but also force her into the lower-ranking LVEO post.