R. R. LAKSHMI Vs. HEADMASTER, THE CHENNAI PORT & DOCK EDUCATIONAL TRUSTS HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL, CHENNAI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition has been filed challenging the order dtd. 22/7/2021 passed by the first respondent thereby relieving the petitioner from service on retirement with effect from 31/5/2021.

(2.) The case of the petitioner is that she is qualified with M.Sc., M.Ed., M.Phil degree and she was appointed as Teacher in the first respondent School run by the Madras Port and Dock Educational Trust. Though she was appointed as secondary grade teacher, she was exploited to the maximum level because of her higher qualification without any hike in her salary and other benefits. While she was about to cross 57 years in the month of May 2020, the Government passed order in G.O.Ms.No.51 Personnel & Administrative Reforms (S) Department dtd. 7/5/2020, thereby enhanced the age of retirement from 58 to 59 years.

(3.) Pursuant to the said government order, the petitioner and others teachers submitted representation collectively to the management seeking to enhance the age of retirement till 59. However, the said request was not considered by the management. The petitioner was subsequently relieved from her service as she had retired from service with effect from 31/5/2021 on the attainment of age of superannuation. Subsequently, the management of committee convened meeting on 23/3/2022 and resolved that the age of retirement has been enhanced from 58 to 60 with effect from 31/3/2022 onwards. Therefore, similarly placed teachers like the petitioner were permitted to work till their completion of 60 years.