Madurai bench admits writ appeal; stays appointments

Madurai, March 18: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High court here has admitted a writ appeal,seeking to recruit secondary grade teachers on the basis of state level seniority list in Employment exchanges and stayed appointments till March 25.
A Division Bench of Justice P.K.Misra and Justice P.Murugesan posted the case for March 25.
Usha, Secretary of the Kanyakumari District Unemployed Teachers' Association and David Packiamuthu of Tirunelveli submitted that the Tamil Nadu government had issued an order for reruiting 7723 teachers in schools in corporations and Municipalities and panchayats.
The order said the teachers would be appointed on the basis of seniority at the district level.Though the Government order had been upheld by the single judge, it completely overlooked the intention of the constitution makers with regard to area wise reservation which reflected in the debate of the constituent assembly as well as draft constitution, petitioners submitted.
Even the employment exchanges'compulsory notification Act,and rules made thereunder did not provide for district wise recruitment. The teachers of Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli were awaiting appointments since 1987 after registering with the employment exchanges.
At the same time those who got themselves registered in 2004,in Salem and Dharmapuri got appointed as teachers earlier.Those who got registered with the Tirunelveli and Kanayakumari disttrict exchanges were deprived of their employment opportunity, it was contended.
They wanted the Government order to be revoked and appointment be done on state level senority list. But the plea was rejected by the single juge this February 4.
Now the Director of school education was making arrangements to fill the 7723 vacancies.Unless the order was revoked, juniors would be appointed, it was submitted- Agencies
Chennaionline; Published: Wednesday, March 19, 2008