Bombay High Court Declines Stay on KTC Recruitment Amendment
Panaji: The Bombay High Court has refused to stay an amendment to the Recruitment Rules of the Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) that permits 25% of traffic controller vacancies to be filled through direct recruitment. The court emphasized that all appointments made under the amended rules will remain subject to the final outcome of the pending petition.
The division bench of Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar observed that granting a stay at this stage would effectively amount to granting final relief. The court directed KTC to inform all newly recruited candidates that their appointments are conditional upon the outcome of the legal challenge.
The KTC Drivers and Allied Employees Association had approached the High Court seeking a stay on recruitment under the amended rules, arguing that the changes would adversely affect the promotional prospects of existing employees. The association noted that 16 traffic controller posts are currently lying vacant and that the amendment could also impact the corporation's revenue.
Court Directives and Next Hearing
The court clarified that any recruitment made pursuant to the amended rules, specifically the 25% direct recruitment quota, shall be subject to the final decision of the petition. It further ordered that every person appointed through this process must be informed about the pendency of the petition.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on June 24. The High Court stated, "It is clarified that any recruitment made pursuant to the amended Recruitment Rules, i.e., to the extent of 25% of the cadre strength by way of direct recruitment, shall be subject to the final outcome of this petition. It is further directed that any person appointed under the said recruitment process shall be duly informed of the pendency of the present petition."
