Kerala - Kochi   

Centre told to provide funds

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the Union government to make available 80 per cent of the funds needed for rectifying the anomalies in pay revision of some of the selection grade lecturers under a University Grants Commission scheme.

Justice S. Siri Jagan directed the government to pass orders within two months. The court also directed the University Grants Commission to approve the proposal of the State government to advance the date of implementation of the career advancement scheme of college teachers from July 27, 1998, to January 1, 1996.

The court passed the directives while disposing of a contempt petition and a writ petition filed by some of the selection grade lecturers. Acting on a petition filed by as many as 72 lecturers who got selection grade between January 1, 1996, and July 27, 1998, and were denied the same pay scale that was granted to lecturers granted selection grade before January 1, 1996, the court directed the State government to take up the issue with the Union Ministry of Human Resources and the UGC.

The Union government and the UGC had not taken any steps even two years after the directive. The court pointed out that the Central government had approved the proposal of the Uttar Pradesh government for rectifying such anomalies.

The Central government agreed to bear 80 per cent of the funds for rectifying the anomalies in the implementation of the UGC scheme for lecturers in Uttar Pradesh. Hence, the court directive.

A Division Bench comprising Justice K. Balakrishnan Nair and Justice P.N. Ravindran upheld a Kerala University order prescribing that an M.Phil holder in the subject concerned should have passed the national eligibility test of the UGC while applying for teaching posts at the post-graduate level.

The Bench upheld the order while dismissing an appeal filed against a single judge order rejecting a petition against the qualification.

The order of the university prescribing minimum qualification for lecturers had, however, exempted candidates with M. Phil from passing the NET while applying for under-graduate level appointments.

A Bench comprising Justice J.B. Koshy and Justice K. Hema adjourned the hearing on a petition seeking a special audit to find out reasons for the lapse of crores of rupees spent every year by the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

The petition was filed by the Federation of SC/ST State committee and M.G. Vanitha trust, Kochi.

The petition sought to shift the Schedule Castes and Tribes welfare portfolio from the present Minister A.K. Balan.

The court directed the petitioner to delete the names of Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and Minister A.K. Balan from the list of respondents.

A Bench adjourned by two weeks hearing on a writ petition seeking a directive to the State government and the District Collectors to prevent the parading of elephants during festivals and other occasions between 11 a.m. and 5.p.m.

The petition was filed by V.K. Venkitachalam, secretary of the Elephant Lovers Association.

A Division Bench directed the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India to approve renovation works at the Koodalmanikkam temple at Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district.

The Bench comprising Justice P.R. Raman and Justice V.K. Mohanan issued the directive when the case relating to approval of the renovation works came up before it.

The court noted that delay in getting approval from the Archaeology department would escalate the cost of the renovation works.

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