FOUSY K A M LECTURER, MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY; RENGITHA M THOMAS; A MANJU, LECTURER MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY AND SHIJI A C Vs. THE MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TEACHERS EDUCATION AND JYOTHI K

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Since common questions are involved in these Writ Petitions except with a slight variation in respect of subsequent events in W.P.(C) No. 15751 of 2008, these Writ Petitions are being disposed of by this common judgment. The documents referred to in this judgment are as marked in W.P.(C) No. 15751 of 2008. The petitioners were working as Lecturers in the various centres of University College of Teacher Education under the Mahatma Gandhi University. Mahatma Gandhi University started various self financing institutions. It is stated that the University has 12 centres of University College of Teacher Education for conducting teacher s training course. The centres are being run under the Self Financing Scheme. The norms stipulated by the National Council for Teacher Education govern these institutions. It is stated that the petitioners were appointed pursuant to a valid process of selection after publishing advertisements in various Malayalam dailies. The petitioners executed bonds in favour of the University at the time of their engagement as Lecturers on contract basis.

(2.) As per the terms of the agreement, the lecturer of University College of Teacher Education would be paid a consolidated monthly remuneration of Rs. 8,000/- and the period of appointment is one year with effect from the date mentioned in the agreement. It is stated in the agreement that the appointment would be terminable on completion of the B.Ed course of one year or on expiry of the period of one year from the date noted in the agreement, whichever is earlier unless otherwise renewed by the University. Clause 7 of the agreement reads as follows:

(3.) It is stated that though the B.Ed batch for 2007 ended in December, 2007, the petitioners were permitted to continue in service. According to the petitioners that was an indication that the service of the petitioners were not terminated on completion of B.Ed batch for the year. It is also stated that the first respondent University had directed the petitioners to execute fresh bonds with effect from January, 2008. The Southern Regional Committee, Bangalore of the NCTE inspected the 12 centres of University Colleges of Teacher Education conducted by the first respondent University. It is stated that after the inspection, the University was intimated that recognition of the three centres would be withdrawn. The intake of students in seven out of nine remaining centres was directed to be reduced by the Committee. The University has filed appeals challenging the decision of the Committee. The appeals are pending.