Kerala High Court Extends Time For Submission Of Applications By Candidates For KSRTC Reserve Driver Posts

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday extended the time period for submission of applications by the candidates, who had earlier applied for 'Reserve Driver' posts and were included in the rank list prepared by state Public Service Commission, till November 14.

Justice Devan Ramachandran gave the petitioners the liberty to make an application to the competent authority of KSRTC along with the documents and evidence to show that they were included in the old rank list prepared by the PSC. The candidates were earlier required to file such applications before October 26.

"If this is done by the petitioners, their claims will be considered by the KSRTC appropriately adverting to all other required criteria as may be satisfied," said the court.

The order was passed on a petition alleging that persons from outside rank list were being clandestinely invited for selection. The KSRTC in response argued that the candidates have approached the court unnecessarily because, even going by impugned notification, the persons who are included in the earlier rank list prepared by the PSC have been given preference to be appointed, provided they make an application within the stipulated time frame.

In response to the court's query on extending the time frame, the KSRTC counsel submitted that at maximum five days may be given because of Sabarimala season. Accordingly, the court allowed the petition and extended the time frame till November 14.

Conductors

The court also granted a similar liberty to the candidates of the expired rank list for Conductor posts. Unlike the case of reserve drivers, the notification in the case of conductors did not speak about preference to the candidates of old rank list.

"I am sure that they should also be given priority as stated in the notification of the KSRTC in the case of 'Reserve Drivers' and that consequently, time frame for them to apply should also be extended," said the court. 

Granting liberty to the candidates, the court said the petitioners will make an application before November 14, "along with documents and evidence to show that they were included in the old rank list prepared by the PSC, which has now expired."

It added: "If this is done by the petitioners, their claims will be considered by the KSRTC appropriately, adverting to all other required criteria as may be satisfied, de hors clause No.B.1.3 of Ext.P4". 

Advocate O.D. Sivadas and Advocate P. Deepak represented the petitioners in the two cases.

Standing Counsel for KSRTC Deepu Thankan and Government Pleader Parvathy K represented the respondents.

Case Title: Nazeem S.R. & Ors. v. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation & Ors. and Kuriakose K.B. & Ors v. State of Kerala & Ors. 

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Ker) 580 

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