Appointment of college principal: Tribunal order cancelled by High Court; can continue in their post for time being

KOCHI: The High Court said that those appointed as principals of government colleges from the rank list prepared under the UGC rules can continue in their post for the time being. The High Court set aside the interim order of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal, which upheld the government's order requiring applicants, including those already appointed, to appear for interviews afresh at the Appellate Committee. The High Court also directed that the tribunal should hear the petitioners and take a decision on the matter as soon as possible.

The division bench comprising Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice MA Abdul Hakkim held that the order with far-reaching consequences should not have been passed by the Tribunal. Challenging the Tribunal's order, principals Dr Chitra Trivikraman Nair (Kanjiramkulam KNM College), Dr L Sheelakumari (Nedumangad Govt College) and Dr Manju Ramachandran (Kulathoor Govt College) from Thiruvananthapuram district approached the High Court.

The petitioners were appointed from the rank list prepared after interview as per UGC rules. In the meantime, the government formed the Appellate Committee following the complaint filed by those who were excluded from this list by the expert committee on the grounds that they did not have sufficient qualifications. It was also suggested that those who have already been appointed should also appear for the interview before this committee. This was supported by the Tribunal's order in favour of starting the proceedings from scratch. The petitioners approached the High Court against this.

George Poonthottam, counsel for the petitioners, argued that the Appellate Committee was constituted illegally based on the petitions of the teachers' unions. The High Court then directed the Tribunal to reconsider the decision.