U. JACOB HEADMASTER Vs. STATE OF TAMILNADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard the respective learned counsels appearing for the petitioners and the learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the respondents.

(2.) The short point that arises for consideration in the present Writ Petitions is as to whether the respondents are justified in filling up the existing vacancies for the post of High School Headmasters / Middle School Headmasters / Block Educational Officers, through promotion counselling, without conducting the general transfer counselling for the year 2020-2021?

(3.) The predominant contention of the learned counsels appearing for the petitioners is that the decision of the respondents in conducting the promotion counselling, without conducting the general transfer counselling for the year 2020-2021, is unlawful and arbitrary. Such a stand is taken in view of the pre-existing practice of the respondents in conducting the general transfer counselling, prior to the promotion counselling, for the years 2017-2018, 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, by issuance of the Government Orders. Their apprehension is that, if the promotion counselling is permitted prior to the conduct of general transfer, the juniors to the petitioners, who are anticipating their respective transfers through counselling, would be deprived of choosing a place of their respective choices.