Jayanthi.M vs Kerala Veterinary And Animal Sciences University Represented By Its Registrar, Pookode, Wayanad, Pin 673576

Sathish Ninan, J

The petitioner, a temporary employee, challenges the proposal of the respondent University to terminate her services.

As per Ext.P4 dated 27.02.2015, the petitioner was appointed to the post of Publication Assistant on contract basis for a period of one year. She is continuing since then. The appointment was for a State Funded Project.

Since there is a reduction in the financial aid, the University proposes to terminate the services of temporary employees. Since the petitioner is employed for a Project and the project having not been completed, the services may not be terminated in between, it is urged.

The petitioner being a temporary employee engaged purely on contract basis for one year and having been reengaged thereafter for similar terms, has no right to seek for continuance, contends the learned Standing Counsel for the University.

The petitioner has submitted Ext.P13 representation before the Vice Chancellor. The petitioner confines her relief for a consideration of the same and to retain her services till appropriate orders are passed by the Vice Chancellor.

In the nature of the reliefs sought, I do not propose to go into the merits of the rival contentions. It would be sufficient if the Vice Chancellor considers Ext.P13 representation in accordance with law, with due consideration of the University Act and the Statutes framed thereunder, the terms of appointment of the petitioner and all other relevant inputs, and passes appropriate orders without delay.

Resultantly, without expressing anything on the merits, the writ petition is disposed of directing the second respondent-Vice Chancellor to consider and pass appropriate orders on Ext.P13 representation as indicated above, within a period of one week from today. To enable the same, the petitioner shall appear before the second respondent for a hearing, if she so chooses, at 3.00 p.m. on 27.03.2023. Till orders are passed on Ext.P13, the services of the petitioner shall not be terminated.