R S KAVITHA Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The issue involved in this case relates to the concept of gender equality in relation to the appointment of conductors in the respondents/Transport Corporation.

(2.) 1. The petitioners, who are unemployed women, have completed B.Com. Degree and also obtained conductor licence. The Government by lifting the ban on recruitment by G.O.Ms. No. 57, dated 21.7.2005 has decided to fill up 4000 driver posts and 1500 conductor posts in its transport corporations. The petitioners have registered their names in the employment exchange in the year 1999. It is stated that the second respondent has called for the list of eligible candidates from the employment exchange and the names of the petitioners were forwarded and the petitioners attended interview on 16.5.2007 in the office of the third respondent. There were 930 vacancies for the post of conductors in the second respondent/Corporation, out of which 925 posts were allotted to male candidates and only 4 posts were allotted to ladies.

(3.) 1. In the counter affidavit filed by the third respondent, it is stated that the respondents/Corporation has notified 80 vacancies for the post of Daily Paid Conductors on 31.1.2007 prescribing age limit and the District Employment Office, Salem was requested to sponsor candidates based on reservation, including making a reference to G.O. No. 89, Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department, dated 17.2.1989. The petitioners were among 1403 candidates sponsored by the District Employment Office, Salem and interview call letters dated 30.4.2007 were sent to the petitioners calling them to attend the interview on 16.5.2007 and the petitioners have attended the interview.