Petitioner, who is working as Section Officer, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi has filed this writ petition challenging his transfer to Pambadumpara in Idukki District, ordered as per Ext.P6. According to him, he is due to retire from service on 30.04.2016 witin a period of less than two years for his retirement on superannuation. He relies on Ext.P5 norms for transfer and posting of non-teaching staff under the 1st respondent for his claim for a posting near his home town, Kuruppampady.
2. When the writ petition came up for admission, this court has granted an interim order on 03.07.2014 staying the transfer ordered in Ext.P6 and directing the respondents to retain him at Pattambi-the present station.
3. The grievance of the petitioner is that he is not being posted anywhere near his home town and continues in a station about 120 kilometers from his residence.
W.P.(C) No. /2013 2
4. I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri Babu Joseph Karuvathazha, Standing Counsel for the Kerala Agricultural University.
5. In view of the fact that petitioner is due going to retire from service within a period of two years and norms of transfer provides for accommodating officials within two years of retirement, near their home station, it is only appropriate that the respondents be directed to consider the request of the petitioner for a transfer to or nearto his home town, which respondents shall consider within a period of 'one month'.
6. The petitioner shall file a representation before the Registrar of University pointing out his claim within a period of 'two weeks' from today alongwith a copy of the judgment. The Registrar of the University shall consider the same having due regard to the norms issued by the University, and pass orders thereon within a period of one month of its receipt.
The writ petition is disposed of accordingly.
SD/-
P.V. ASHA, JV JUDGE