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2006 Supreme(Bom) 992

IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY
(R.M.S. Khandeparkar and S.R. Dongaonkar, JJ.)
ASHOK s/o PANDURANG JANJAL - Appellant
V.

SECRETARY, TULSABAI KAW AL VIDYALAYA, PATUR and others - Respondents
Advocates appeared
For appellant: Ms. P. D. Rane
For respondent Nos. 1 and 2 : S. T. Harkare

Headnote:Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools (Conditions of Service) Regulation Act (3 of 1978) - Section 5(3) and Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1981, Rule 15(6) - Employees on probation - Performance to be objectively assessed by the Head during the probation period of the employee concerned and record of such assessment to be maintained by the management - Management is empowered to terminate the services of a probationer in case his work or his behaviour is found to be unsatisfactory by giving one month’s prior notice or salary of one month in lieu of notice. - Plain reading of the provisions comprised under Rule 15(6) of the Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools (Conditions of Service) Rules, would disclose that as regards the employees on probation, the question of recording of confidential reports in terms of Rule 15, sub-rules (1) to (5), does not arise. The sub-rule (6) specifically provides that in the case of such type of an employee his performance should be objectively assessed by the Head during the period of his probation and of course the records of such assessment shall be maintained by the management. The appellant’s services came to be terminated by the order dated 6.4.1988 informing him that his performance being not satisfactory, he was not required to be continued in the employment. The records produced before the School Tribunal apparently disclosed various complaints received from other employees including the Head Master and teachers about the objectionable conduct on the part of the appellant. The complaints disclosed that the appellant used to avoid to the regular in performing his duties and used to spend the duty hours either in the canteen or hotel and also was found to have developed a quarrelsome attitude towards co-employees. The appellant was also used to refuse to comply the orders from the superiors on one pretext or the other, as well as was found using abusive and offensive language towards the superiors. It is true that no disciplinary action as such was initiated against the appellant on account of any of such incidents which came to the knowledge of the management through the complaints received from different persons; however, some of the complaints, considering the seriousness involved in the matter, were brought to the notice of the appellant and he had submitted his say on those complaints. The management on taking stock of all the materials and the appellant’s performance and conduct, had arrived at the conclusion that the appellant was not fit to continue to be in service and, therefore, had terminated his services in exercise of powers under Section 5(3) of the Act by giving one month’s notice. 1998 (1) Bom CR 592 - Referred.

JUDGMENT

R. M. S. KHANDEPARKAR, J. : - In this appeal notice was issued for final disposal of the matter at the admission stage and accordingly the matter was heard and is being disposed of finally at the admission stage itself. We have heard at length the Advocates for the appellant and the respondent Nos. 1 and 2. The respondent No.3 is a formal party.

2. The appeal arises from the order dated 16 - 9 - 2005 passed in Writ Petition No. 3368 of 1993. By the impugned order, the learned single Judge has set aside the Judgment of the School Tribunal dated 1 - 10 - 1993 in Appeal No. 38 of 1989. The School Tribunal had set aside the order of the Management dated 6 - 4 - 1988 terminating the services of the appellant/petitioner and the petitioner was directed to be reinstated in the post of peon as a probationer within 40 days. During the pendency of the Writ Petition, the said order was stayed.

3. The order of termination of services of the petitioner was set aside by the Tribunal on the ground of failure on the part of the Management to comply with the requirements of Rule 15 of the Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1981, hereinafter called as "the said Rules" whereas the learned single Judge, considering the materials on record, has held the said finding of the Tribunal to be contrary to the records and has confirmed about due compliance of the said provision of law by the Management.

4. Only point which is sought to be canvassed in this petition relates to interpretation of Rule 15 of the said Rules read with Section 5(3) of the Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools (Conditions of Service) Regulation Act, 1977, hereinafter called as "the said Act".

5. The Section 5(3) of the said Act provides thus:

"If in the opinion of the Management, the work or behaviour of any probationer, during the period of his probation, is not satisfactory, the Management may terminate his services at any time during the said period after giving him one months notice or salary of one month in lieu of notice."

6. The sub - rule (6) of the Rule provides thus :

"Performance of an employee appointed on probation shall be objectively assessed by the Head during the period of his probation and a record of such assessment shall be maintained."

7. Plain reading of the provisions comprised under Rule 15(6) would disclose that as regards the employees on probation, the question of recording of confidential reports in terms of Rule 15, sub - rules (1) to (5), does not arise. The sub - rule (6) specifically provides that in the case of such type of an employee his performance should be objectively assessed by the Head during the period of his probation and of course the records of such assessment shall be maintained by the Management.

8. In Shri Vitthal Pandharinath Dhere V. Shree Kedarnath Shikshan Sanstha and others, reported in 1998 (1) BCR 592, the Division Bench of this Court while interpreting the said Section 5(3) and the said Rule 15(6), held that even if the work of a probationer is found to be satisfactory on the basis of nonproduction of any confidential record, as provided under Rule 15(6), the management would be free to come to a conclusion about the behaviour of such employee to be not satisfactory. It further ruled that the Management is the best judge of the situation as to whom to continue.

9. In the case in hand, the appellants services came to be terminated by the order dated 6 - 4 - 1988 informing him that his performance being not satisfactory, he was not required to be continued in the employment. The records produced fore the School Tribunal apparently disclosed various complaints received from other employees including• the Head Master and teachers about the objectionable conduct on the part of the appellant. The complaints disclosed that the appellant used to avoid to be regular in performing his duties and used to spend the duty hours either in the canteen or hotel and als












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