G.PRIYANKA Vs. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is a Post Graduate from Sri Krishna Devaraya University. She belongs to Scheduled Caste community. While so, the Government enacted Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies Act, 2008, to cater to the educational needs of meritorious rural students in the state by providing qualitative education to the rural students and three campuses were established at Basar, Adilabad District, Nuzvid, Krishna District and R.K.Valley, Idupulapaya, YSR Kadapa District. All these three centres are residential institutions functioning from 2008 -09 onwards. The meritorious 10th class passed outs of rural areas will be selected in the order of merit through public notification and they will be subjected to six year Integrated Engineering Program. The learning process is different from the traditional methodology. Basically, their learning is through video lectures and e -learning content but with the assistance of subject experts known as Mentors. The duties of the Mentors include rendering assistance to the students round the clock.

(2.) The second respondent issued a notification on 03.04.2008 for appointment of Mentors through regular selection process, but they were placed under contract for a period of two years. While notifying the vacancies, the authorities followed the roster system. The petitioner applied for the post of Mentor and was successful in the five stages of selection. An order of appointment was given to the petitioner on 25.09.2009 on contract basis initially for a period of one year with a consolidated pay of Rs.20,000/ - per month and she was posted in the third respondent campus. It appears that the Mentors were assured regularization after completion of ten years of contract service. When there was a threat of their discontinuance, the petitioner along with others filed W.P.No.18415 of 2013, wherein this Court directed the respondents to continue the services of the petitioners therein. Though the initial period of contract expired, her services were continued and while rendering her service she tendered resignation to the post of Mentor on 28.05.2013 by sending email to the Director of the third respondent institution. However, within two days thereafter i.e., on 30.05.2013 she withdrew her resignation and sought leave for a period of one week from 03.06.2013 to 10.06.2013. After expiry of the leave, she submitted the joining report on 10.06.2013 and she was permitted to join the duty four days thereafter. She continued for the remaining period of June and July 2013. However, on 13.08.2013 she received intimation from the Registrar of the University accepting the resignation of the petitioner with effect from 01.06.2013. The said letter was received by her on 27.08.2013 and she submitted a representation on 28.08.2013 seeking her continuance as Mentor. It was followed by another representation on 30.08.2013. As no orders were passed, the present Writ Petition is filed.

(3.) This Court, by order dated 11.10.2013 directed the respondents to continue the petitioner in service for a period of four weeks, if the petitioner was in service, and the said order was extended by order dated 01.11.2013 by another period of four weeks. It was extended until further orders by order dated 26.12.2013.