P VENKATESWARA RAO Vs. ANDHRA PRADESH STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION REPRESENTED BY ITS HONBLE PRESIDENT HYDERABAD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Introduction

(2.) They assumed charge in August, 2004 pursuant to the orders of the Government in G.O.Ms.No.55, dated 13.8.2004. When their term was about to expire, considering their request for reappointment, the State Commission issued proceedings on 24.8.2009 permitting them to continue as members until new appointment/reappointment is finalised or until further orders whichever is earlier. On 22.7.2009 the Government issued notification inviting applications from eligible and qualified candidates for being appointed as members in the vacancies that arose. Nonetheless, both the petitioners were asked and appeared for interview by the selection committee. They were allegedly found to be meritorious and their names ought to have been recommended by the selection committee. However, their names were not sent to the Government for reappointment. They therefore filed the writ petitions seeking writ of mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in not sending their names for reappointment as illegal and arbitrary, and for a consequential direction to the respondents to send their names to the Government for the purpose of reappointment.

(3.) The controversy in the other three writ petitions is slightly different. The brief summary of the facts herein is with reference to W.P.No.579 of 2012. The petitioners are law graduates. They had also practised for some time as lawyers. They were appointed as members/lady members in the District Fora during January, 2006 for a period of five years. Their term was to end by January, 2011. In the mean while, the State Commission issued notification dated 07.12.2010 inviting applications from qualified and eligible persons for 13 (thirteen) posts of members/lady members in different District Fora. The offer inviting application is subject to reappointment of eligible existing members of the fora. Though fresh candidates are required to appear for written test and interview, the eligible existing members are required to appear only for interview whenever called for.