V.SRIKANTH Vs. SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE first two writ petitions, namely, W.P.Nos.25314 and 25341/2011 is already listed in the matter today. Mr.K.Venkataramani, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioners mentioned that another connected matter is left out and accordingly, the writ petition in W.P.No.26719/2011 is also called for and taken up today for final hearing.

(2.) THE petitioners in all the above three writ petitions are working as Assistants and they are challenging the identical issue of awarding the punishment of stoppage of increment for a period of two years without cumulative effect and as such, all the three writ petitions have been taken up together for final hearing and passing this common order.

(3.) THE case of the petitioners in respect of these three writ petitions is to the effect that they are working as Assistants in the Transport Department, namely, the Regional Transport Office, Thiruppur during the period from 15.06.1998 to 14.12.2001. They have been allotted the works relating to Seat, Goods Carryings and Stage Carryings. The petitioners have been allotted additional charge of A1 Seat to prepare the Certificate of Registration from 08.05.2001 to 21.07.2001. As per Circular No.38/99 issued by the Transport Commissioner in respect of collection of fees and taxes for new and re-registration of vehicles, the registration papers should be produced before the Motor Vehicle Inspectors and they in-turn verify the registration papers and inspect the vehicle and issue a certificate in Form 22 to accept the fees and taxes. After accepting the fees and taxes, the Motor Vehicle Inspector will allot new registration number and finally the papers will be sent to the seat for registration and issuance of Certificate of Registration along with the papers. The petitioners duty was only to prepare registration certificate for the number allotted by the Motor Vehicle Inspector as mentioned in Circular No.38/99. Therefore, it is not the duty of the Assistants, namely, the petitioners herein to verify the documents and they have nothing to do with the cash collections towards fees and they have not been assigned with the duty of verifying the cash track receipts.