State of Madhya Pradesh v. Hari Datt Sharma

SHARMA, J. 1. By the impugned order the Madhya Pradesh State Administrative Tribunal has allowed the claim of the respondent to con­ tinue in service up to the age of 60 years and has held that· he cannot be retired at 58 only. We have heard the learned counsel for the parties. F Special leave is gr3nted. 2. The respondent was holding the post of Deputy Director when he was promoted as Joint Director, Social Welfare Department in 1989. He completed the age of 58 years in January, 1991 when according to the decision of the appellant he had to retire. According to the Rules the age G of retirement in the department is 58 years excepting for teachers who are to continue in service till 60. It is not disputed that the posts of Deputy Director and Joint Director are not teaching posts and the respondent cannot take advantage of the higher age of retirement on that account. However, the respondent relies upon the Explanation to the Rule which is H A in the following terms :- "Explanation : For purpose of this sub-Rule "Teacher" means a Government Servant, by whatever designation called, appointed for the purpose of teaching in an educa­ tional institution run by the Government including tech­ nical or medical educational institution in accordance with the recruitment rules applicable in such appointment and shall also include the teacher who is appointed to an administrative post by promotion or otherwise and who has been engaged in teaching for not less than 20 years provided he holds a lien Collegiate{fechnical/Medical Educational Service". His case is that since initially he was appointed for the purpose of teaching in an educational institution run by the Government, he is entitled to continue in service upto the age of 60 although later he was holding a D non-teaching post. At this stage it will be relevant to mention that the condition that a person claiming the benefit of the Explanation had to be engaged in a teaching post for not less than 20 years, has been struck down as ultra 'vires and this part of the Explanation, therefore, does not come in the way of the respondent. 3. On behalf of the appellant it has been contended that post of the Superintendent in a Deaf Mute and Blind School in which the respondent was initially appointed in 1965 was not a teaching post and he, therefore, cannot claim any benefit of this Explanation. The result of the case is thus dependent upon the issue as to whether the post of Superintendent in Deaf Mute and Blind School is a teaching post or not. 4. The relevant document which has been referred to and relied upon by both sides is the advertisement No. 9/1965 issued by the Public Service Commission, Madhya Pradesh inviting applications for appointment to the G posts of Superintendent Deaf Mute and Blind School. The duties are mentioned in paragraph 3 of the advertisement to the following effect :- "Duties - (i) To undertake planning and organisation of the institution for education, vocational training, rehabilitation and recreation of children) (ii) To undertake case-wise in respect of every child of the institution with a view to .. STATE OF M.P. v. HARi DATT SHARMA [SHARMA l.J ascertaining the personality make-up, aptitudes and inter­ est, socio-economic background and intelligence, (iii) To apply educational tests, prepare syllabus, organise specialised methods of education and vocational training of children and to organise examination, (iv) To take steps for the after care and rehabilitation of children, (v) To supervise the general maintenance of the children includ­ ing the general health, recreation, discipline etc. and to meet the special needs of the children, (vi) To supervise and control staff and undertake other administrative duties and (vii) Any other work that may be assigned to him by Government or his superior officers." 355 5. We have examined the provisions closely and are of the view that D the duties were supervisory in nature and not teaching. Accordingly, we hold that the Explanation referred to above does not come to the aid of the respondent and he was, therefore, rightly retired on 31.1.1992. 6. In the result the appeal is allowed, the impug.1ed judgment is set E aside and the Original Application filed by the respondent before the State Administrative Tribunal is dismissed. The parties will bear their own costs. We, however, make it clear that in case the respondent was paid for performing any duty after the dated of his retirement in pursuance of the F impugned order he shall not be asked to refund the same. N.V.K. Appeal allowed.