State Government can Hold Examination For Wakf Board Posts

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Thursday refused to restrain the State government from conducting the examination for selection of 47 entry-level posts in the Wakf Board scheduled for Saturday (February 20).

Justice T Raja, who rejected the plea, however, directed the government to maintain status quo in respect of the employment of I Jainulabudeen in Beema Nagar in Tiruchy, the petitioner in this case, who apprehended termination from service in view of the exam for fresh recruitment.

According to the petitioner, the Board issued an advertisement for filling 24 temporary posts. And the petitioner was appointed as junior assistant in December, 2007. On completion of 89 days, the Board used to issue termination orders and re-appoint them the very next day.

Presently, the petitioner is working as Wakf Inspector. Petitioner and others had been sending representations to various authorities to regularise their services in their respective posts.

While so, the Board issued an advertisement in July last year, inviting applications for 47 posts at various levels. Fearing that there is every possibility of terminating his services, the petitioner moved the High Court to restrain the government from conducting the examination on February 20 to protect his employment and for a direction to absorb him in the post.

“There will be an interim order of status quo with regard to the employment of petitioner until further orders,’’ Justice Raja said.

He then ordered four weeks’ notice on the prayer for regularisation of his service.