(1.) HEARD Mrs. N. Saikia, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr. B.K. Sarma, learned Senior counsel assisted by Mr. Ahmed, learned counsel for Respondent No. 4, Kamaluddin Ahmed, and also heard Mr. Goswami, learned Government Advocate.
(2.) THE main crux in this writ petition is regarding holding of the charge of the office of the Principal of Marjatkandi Public Higher Secondary School in the district of Karimgang. The post fell vacant in the year 1994 and for the last 9 years some stop -gap arrangement are being made.
(3.) MISC . Case No. 273/2001 was filed by the Respondent No. 4 for vacation of interim order and vide order dated 20.3.2001, this Court provided that considering the length of service of the petitioner, he should be allowed to hold the charge of the Principal irrespective of fact that the Respondent No. 4 has got higher educational qualification. The said order was challenged in the Writ Appeal, but no relief was granted to the Respondent No. 4. Thus Respondent No. 4 admittedly is not holding the charge of the Principal in the said School at present. The petitioner claims that at present he holds the charge of the Principal. But it is informed by Mr. Sarma, that the Inspector of Schools is looking for the office of the Principal of the said school. This sorry state of affairs has been allowed to continue due to inaction on the part of State by.. vacant an important post of Principal of a Higher Secondary School, which has remained unfilled since 1994. The post is required to be filled up in regular manner and not by any adhoc appointment. We, therefore, direct the Respondents/State Government to fill up the post of Principal of the said School in a regular manner within a period of 4(four) months from the date of this order.