RAGI C Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These Original Petitions are all filed challenging orders of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal ('KAT' for short) , Thiruvananthapuram in Original Applications filed by the candidates who were ranked by the Kerala Public Service Commission ('PSC' for short) , for appointment to the post of Lower Division Clerks. Since the issues raised are common, we have heard all the cases together. They are accordingly disposed of by this common Judgment.

(2.) As already noticed above, the petitioners are all persons who were ranked by the PSC for appointment in different districts. They had responded through a notification issued by the PSC inviting applications to an unspecified number of posts. After completion of the selection process, they were ranked in a list that came into effect from 31.03.2015. The rank list was in force and a number of candidates were advised and appointed to different districts during the past three years. The list is due to expire on 31.03.2018.

(3.) The grievance of the petitioners is that just before their rank list was brought into force with effect from 31.02015, the Government had issued 3 orders evidenced in O.P.(KAT) No. 106 of 2018 by Annexures A6, A7 and A8. The orders were dated 012.2014, 15.12.2014 and 21.02015 respectively. As per the said orders, the Government directed all departments to identify the number of anticipated vacancies that would arise during the months of April, May and June and to report them to the PSC before the expiry of the earlier rank list on 30.02015. Accordingly, it appears that 60 vacancies were reported and appointments were also made to the said vacancies. As a result of the said exercise, it is contented by the petitioners that 60 posts to which persons from the rank list ought to have been appointed were filled up by appointing persons who were ranked in the earlier rank list. Since they had been denied the benefit of being considered for appointment to the said posts, it is contented that injustice has been caused to them.