Director, Elementary Education & Ors. Vs. Pratap Kumar Nayak
(Arising out of SLP (C) No.12768 of 1996)
(From the Judgment and Order dated 15.01.1996 of the Orissa Administrative Tribunal, Bhubaneshwar in M.P.No. 3473 of 1995)
(Arising out of SLP (C) No.12768 of 1996)
(From the Judgment and Order dated 15.01.1996 of the Orissa Administrative Tribunal, Bhubaneshwar in M.P.No. 3473 of 1995)
Mrs. Kirti Mishra, Advocate for the Respondent.
Appointment of Facilitators – Held Tribunal erred in giving directions contrary to directions in main order – In a review petition Tribunal could not have gone behind the main order and issue fresh direction – Held on facts that no juniors to respondent having been appointed, no direction could be issued in his favour – Further the name of respondent having been included in the seniority list prepared by Appellant, his case would be considered as and when vacancies arises – Appeal allowed.
1. Leave granted.
2. We have heard learned counsel on both sides.
3. This appeal by special leave arises from the order dated 15.1.1996 of the Orissa Administrative Tribunal, made in M.P. No.3473/95. The respondent was initially appointed as non-formal Facilitator under a non-formal Education Programme, a scheme sponsored by the Central Government for imparting primary education to the children in the age group of 6 to 12 years. The State Government issued on October 10, 1990 guidelines for appointment of Facilitators as regular primary school teachers. In the said guidelines, the Facilitators have to complete three years of service and must have acquired C.T. training by 31.12.1990. When the respondent filed an O.A. in the Tribunal, the Tribunal had given direction to the appellant to consider his case according to rules. It is not in dispute that by proceedings dated May 19, 1993, his case was considered and he was not found eligible under the rules. The respondent filed contempt proceedings in the Tribunal stating that the appellants have deliberately violated the orders passed by the Tribunal. In the impugned order, it is stated that:
“In the circumstances, the order dated 11.11.1992 be implemented within 15 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The applicant be given appointment like his juniors who have been given such appointment. If none of his juniors have been given appointment, then the Respondents would take action as per the prevailing instructions by giving him notional appointment as Sikhyakarmi in accordance with the Circular dated 24.9.1992 and after determining his deemed date of appointment as Sikhyakarmi, give appointment to him as regular primary school teacher, as is being done in cases of Sikhyakarmis.”
4. Calling that order in question, this appeal has been filed.
5. From the order, it is clear that the Tribunal has gone wrong in giving direction contrary to the directions issued in the main order. Since direction was issued to consider his case according to rules, necessarily, the appellants were required to consider the claim of the respondent in accordance with the guidelines. Obviously, since the respondent had not fulfilled the qualifications prescribed in the guidelines, he could not be appointed. Accordingly, his case was rejected. The impugned direction is contrary to the direction issued on the earlier occasion and the rules. Therefore, in a review petition, the Tribunal could not have gone behind the main order and issued fresh directions. When we asked the learned counsel for the appellant to state whether any of the juniors of the respondent have been appointed, it is stated that none of the juniors have been appointed. Learned counsel appearing for the respondent has stated that some of the persons who did not fulfil the qualifications are being appointed and, therefore, it is contrary to the direction issued by the Tribunal. We find no force in the contention. Admittedly, they are not juniors to the respondent and we do not know under what circumstances their appointment came to be made. But the learned counsel for the appellants has stated that after the superannuation of number of teachers some vacancies have arisen; a seniority list of teachers has been prepared; the name of the respondent is also included in the seniority list; his case would be considered as and when the vacancies arise and he would be appointed accordingly.
6. In view of the above circumstances, the appeal is allowed. The order of the Tribunal stands set aside. The statement made by the learned counsel for the State stands recorded. No costs.