T N TEACHERS ASSOCIATION J VARUVEL ANTONY STATE OF TAMIL NADU Vs. ASSOCIATION OF THE HEADS OF THE GOVERNMENT B WING HIGH AND HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS:A RAMAKRISHNAN:A RAMAKRISHNAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THESE appeals can be disposed of by a common judgment as the Tamil Nadu Administrative Tribunal disposed of the matters by a common order in view of the fact that the issues arising out of these cases are inter-related and, therefore, necessary to be disposed of by a common order.

(2.) THIS is the third round of litigation up to this Court between the two categories (A and B Wings) of teachers, who were later on integrated into one category and as a result of which litigations started concerning seniority and further promotions. The first round of litigation, which came up to this Court, was disposed of by this Court in The Tamil Nadu Education Department Ministerial and General Subordinate Services Association v. State of Tamil Nadu. AIR 1980 SC 379 on 23-10-79. The second round of litigation was disposed of by this Court in K. Subramanian v. Director of School Education at the admission stage itself by dismissing the S. L. P. (C) Nos. 14520, 14685-89/87 on 15-12-87 with a short, reasoned order. We are now disposing of the third round of litigation with the hope that this will give a quietus at least in the matter of seniority and promotions between the parties as one of the categories, which was merged with another category, is due to vanish by efflux of time. We propose to give only skeletal factors necessary to appreciate the rival submissions.

(3.) ONE important aspect that has to be borne in mind before proceeding further is that the Government on 22-7-80 addressed a letter to the Director of School Education on the effect of the judgment of this Court dated 23-10-79 (reported in AIR 1980 SC 379) upholding G. O. Ms. No. 1968. Paragraphs 2 and 3 of that letter are relevant for our purpose, which read as follows :-