A. RAJA Vs. THE ANNA UNIVERSITY AND ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS writ petition is directed against the order dated 11 October 2010, whereby and whereunder, Anna University rejected the request made by the petitioner to treat the post of Producer as Teaching post and permit him to continue in service till the age of 60 years.

(2.) THE petitioner was appointed as Producer in Audio Visual Research Centre of Anna University. The petitioner having found that the Memorandum of Understanding executed between the University Grants Commission ("UGC" in short) and Anna University provided for treating the Producer's Post as Academic, submitted a representation dated 28 August 2008 to the University to consider him as Academic Staff. The said representation was ultimately disposed of by the sixth respondent holding that the post of Producer is not a teaching post and as such he is not entitled for the benefits of Career Advancement Scheme. The said order is under challenge in this writ petition.

(3.) THE learned counsel for the petitioner contended that right from the order dated 19 May 1990, the University has maintained that the petitioner is working in Lecturer Cadre. According to the learned counsel, the Memorandum of Understanding entered into between UGC and Anna University clearly provides that the University would treat the academic, technical and other staff of Media Centre as teaching staff. The learned counsel placed reliance on the judgment of this Court dated 8 April 2011 in W.P.(MD). No. 2166 of 2006 in support of his contention that a similar issue was considered by the Madurai Bench and a positive finding was given to the effect that such posts are all academic in nature. The learned counsel contended that this Court granted interim order on 31 January 2013 and on the basis of the said order, the petitioner continued in service and he is due to retire on 31 January 2015. The learned counsel contended that the petitioner has not been paid salary for the last two years in spite of his continuous service.