HC SETS ASIDE TTD’S MULTIPLE SENIORITY LIST

The Hyderabad High Court on Monday set aside multiple seniority lists issued by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) in various categories and also promotions given based on the seniority lists.

Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao was dealing with a petition of J. Subrahmanyam, assistant executive officer, and 35 others, challenging the action of the TTD in giving consequential seniority to employees who were promoted under the reserved category and not applying the “catch up” rule when general candidates are subsequently promoted.

Dr K. Lakshmi Narasimha, counsel for the petitioners, contended that the TTD is a ‘religious institution’ and has got its own rules and regulations, and by virtue of the powers given to the TTD, it has framed service regulations.

He said that as per the service regulations, although rule of reservation in favour of SC and ST candidates was permissible, there was no rule giving consequential seniority to those persons.

He told the court that in the absence of a rule for consequential promotions, the catch up principle will apply. The counsel for the TTD admitted that there was no rule providing for consequential seniority. While setting aside the seniority lists and consequential promotions, the judge directed the TTD to review the seniority of all such persons under the catch up rule principle with all consequential benefits and complete the exercise within a period of 6 weeks.