APHC010284122025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3506] WEDNESDAY, THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF JUNE TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN WRIT PETITION NO: 14293/2025 Between: Ganji Siri Vennela and Others ...PETITIONER(S) AND The District Collector And District Magistrate and Others ...RESPONDENT(S) Counsel for the Petitioner(S): 1. POODATTU AMARENDER Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR SERVICES I 2 HCGR,J W.P.No.14293 of 2025 The Court made the following order: This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the following relief/s:- “…to issue an appropriate writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus to declare the action of the Respondents in not preparing the list of eligible persons for promotion to the posts of Senior Assistants from the category of Junior Assistants and VRO’s as per Rule 6 (i) of AP SSS Rules, 1996 and proceeding to revert the Petitioners without considering their representation is highly illegal, unjust, arbitrary and violative of Articles 14, 16 of the Constitution of India and consequently, direct the Respondents to continue the Petitioners as Senior Assistants, with all service and monetary benefits and to pass such other order or orders.…” 2. Heard Sri P.Amarender, learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services-I for respondents. 3. Petitioners were appointed as Village Revenue Officers (VROs) in Krishna District, upon due selection process, by proceedings dated 26.04.2012. Since then, they have been discharging duties in the said capacity. The Government has issued G.O.Ms.No.154, Revenue (SERVICES-III) Department, dated 05.07.2021, creating promotional channel for VROs (Grade-I) to the post of Senior Assistants. It is also provided ratio of 60:40 between Junior Assistants/Typists in the Revenue Department at District level and VROs(Grade-I), with a cycle of rotation. The VROs would qualify for promotion to the post of Senior Assistants, only upon they complete five years of service with a degree qualification, within the 3 HCGR,J W.P.No.14293 of 2025 ratio of 40% as enumerated above. As petitioners claim to be eligible and qualified on aforesaid aspect, their cases were considered for promotion to the post of Senior Assistants and by proceedings dated 07.04.2025 and 21.04.2025 they have been promoted. Subsequently, some of the Junior Assistants, who earlier were not qualified as on the date of promotion orders, on acquiring the requisite qualifications, have submitted representations claiming benefit of promotion. Based on the said representations, it is stated that respondents are now undertaking exercise to revert the petitioners to the post of VROs, who otherwise were already promoted. Having come to know about the said fact, petitioners’ submitted representation dated 04.05.2025 requesting 1st respondent not to revert and continue them as Senior Assistants, without considering the objections from persons, who are now seeking promotions having acquired qualification in the month of May 2025, which is after the cutoff date, having regard to the prescribed provision made under Rule 6 (i) of the Andhra Pradesh State and Subordinate Service Rules, 1996 (hereinafter referred as ‘A.P.S.S.S Rules’), which mandates to consider eligibility as on 1st of September for the panel year. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that without considering the aforesaid representation of petitioners, now 4 HCGR,J W.P.No.14293 of 2025 respondents are proceeding with reverting petitioners, which will cause undue hardship to them. 5. Learned Assistant Government Pleader appearing for respondents submitted written instructions, inter alia, stating that the promotions were effected on adhoc basis and in view of representation made by some of the candidates, who seem to have acquired qualification later the exercise is being undertaken, as of now the respondents have not passed any orders as such. Before any such decision is made, both petitioners’ representation as well as the claims made by Junior Assistants, who claim promotions, would be considered in accordance with law. 6. As the respondents are now faced with rival claims, one made by persons who stated to have acquired the qualification at a later point of time after effecting the promotions and the other by petitioners, who claim to have been rightly promoted in terms of G.O.Ms.No.154, Revenue (SERVICES-III) Department, dated 05.07.2021, the 1st respondent is required to consider the rival claims with reference to the applicability of rules, in particular, the A.P.S.S.S.Rules, which exercise is underway. Therefore, this Court deems fit to dispose of the writ petition by directing the respondents to consider rival claims and pass appropriate orders. 5 HCGR,J W.P.No.14293 of 2025 7. In view of the same, the Writ Petition is disposed of by directing the 1st respondent to consider the claims made by Junior Assistants, at whose instance the present exercise is being undertaken, and also the objections/representation of petitioners dated 04.05.2025, to retain them in promotional posts by considering the respective claims in accordance with applicable rules, in particular, the A.P.S.S.S.Rules and pass appropriate speaking orders, within a period of eight (08) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Till such exercise is complete, the respondents are directed not to revert petitioners to their original posts as VROs(Grade-I). There shall be no order as to costs. As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions, pending if any, shall stand closed. ______________________________________ JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN Date: 18.06.2025 KBN