SREELAL SREEDHARAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners are employed on contract basis as Electrical Engineer, Electrical Technician, Process Engineer and Mechanical Engineer in the TSP Unit of the 2 nd respondent. Their initial appointment was in March/April, 2015 for a period of one year through Employment Exchange. On expiry of the term of their initial appointment, they were again engaged, based on subsequent orders issued, for different spells with breaks in between. The petitioners pointed out that at present, the term of their engagements is due to expire on various dates druing October 2017. While claiming retention in service in the respective posts, petitioners are challenging Ext.P21 notification, by which the 2 nd respondent has invited applications for appointment to the very same posts, which they are holding, from among priority categories. The notification would also show that the 2 nd respondent has already sent a requisition to the Employment Exchange for making appointments to the said posts.

(2.) The contention of the petitioners is that when they are already on contract employment, they should not be displaced by other contract employees.

(3.) On the other hand, the learned Standing Counsel for the 2 nd respondent submits that the appointments of the petitioners were on contract basis for a limited period and on expiry of the said contract period, the petitioners cannot have any right to continue. It is also pointed out that they have already sent a requisition to the Employment Exchange and the Employment Exchange would sent another set of eligible candidates, who are awaiting for appointment.