R SAKTHIVEL Vs. S AARTHI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Since the issue involved in all the writ petitions are one and the same, they are disposed of by this common order.

(2.) Mr.R.Singaravelan, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners in W.P.Nos.26692 and 29841 of 2013, submitted that all the petitioners have completed graduation in Bachelor of Engineering, hence, they are all eligible for appointment to the post of Assistant Engineer in the office of the respondents. Besides, they have undergone one year apprenticeship training in the office of the respondents, as such, they have completed the same successfully between June and August, 2013. They were selected for the said course on merits as per the communal reservation and rotation. Whileso, the respondents have given an advertisement dated 26.05.2013 in 'Deccan Chronicle', inviting the course completed apprentices for the registration of their names in the office of the respondents arbitrarily fixing the date of registration between 27.05.2013 and 03.06.2013 for employment opportunities. Since all the petitioners have completed the course only after 03.06.2013, they were unable to go for registration. Adding further, learned counsel for the petitioners contended that even though the petitioners did not complete the apprenticeship before 03.06.2013, they did complete the training before the date fixed for interview i.e. in the month of November, 2013, as per the subsequent notification dated 27.09.2013, therefore, they cannot be denied appointment to the post of Assistant Engineer. Since the fixation of the cut-ff date for interview and appointment was arbitrary, all the petitioners filed the present writ petitions and this Court, by accepting the interim prayer, gave a direction to the respondents to call the petitioners for interview.

(3.) In his further submission, he has also brought to the notice of this Court an interim order dated 25.10.2013 passed by this Court permitting the petitioners to attend the interview. On receipt of the interim order of this Court, the respondents have also issued subsequent notification dated 27.09.2013 specifically stating that all graduate engineers, who have completed one year apprenticeship training at TANGEDCO/TANTRANSCO before the date of interview, may attend the interview in their respective regions. The interview date was fixed on 18.11.2013, 19.11.2013, 21.11.2013 and 22.11.2013. By citing the above said notification, he contended that admittedly, before the date of interview, all the petitioners have completed their apprenticeship training. Thus, the respondents, permitted them to take part in the selection and after participating in the interview, the respondents have selected them on merits, however, the respondents withheld the appointment order in view of pendency of these writ petitions, hence, he prayed for a direction to issue appointment order.