Kerala High Court Quashes Administrative Tribunal's Order To Extend PSC Rank List Validity

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday quashed an order issued by the Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) extending the validity of the Last Grade Servants (LGS) in State till 29th September. 

A Division Bench of Justice Alexander Thomas and Justice A. Badharudeen observed that it was unnecessary to extend the validity of the PSC rank list any further, considering that it has already been extended once.

The previously published rank list for PSC in the State was set to expire on  29th June, but its validity was extended till 4th August. However, through a recent order, the KAT had declared that the rank list for Last Grade Servants shall continue for another month. 

The Kerala Public Service Commission, aggrieved by the KAT's order, moved the Court with a plea challenging such extension. The Commission alleged that such extension was not legally sound and that extending the validity of a single rank list was illogical and unacceptable. It was also contended that giving effect to the order would result in denial of opportunity to the new candidates. 

On these grounds, the Commission sought a directive to quash the impugned order.  

The Court found merits in the arguments put forth by the PSC and found the KAT's order to be legally invalid. Meanwhile, the Court urged the heads of all departments across the districts to report their respective LGS vacancies immediately to the Commission so that suitable appointments can be made. Similarly, directions were issued to these departments to complete the procedure for such appointments expeditiously.

The Division Bench also pointed out certain lapses in the order issued by the Tribunal, while adding that it was a violation of the earlier orders passed by the Court.