JUDGMENT

Dated this the 13th day of June, 2024 “C.R.”

A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE (J)

These matters are related to the orders passed by the Kerala Administrative Tribunal interfering with an order of Government related to general transfer of teachers in the Government Higher Secondary School (HSS) for the year 2023-24. The general transfer in the HSS once again became embroiled in litigation for lack of clarity of norms and also for the reason that it failed to address the grievances of many who felt their seniority and length of service have been ignored while evolving transfer norms by the Government. The questions that loom large in these cases are, to what extent the Tribunal can interfere with transfer policy decisions of the Government, and whether the exercise now carried out by the Tribunal interpreting clauses in the transfer norm are in a way intended by the Government or not. It seems that a large number of teachers who are appointed in HSS are posted in stations beyond their home stations. Many such teachers preferred to come back to their home stations. Therefore, the Government recognizing the importance of their wishes to come back to their home stations, evolved a transfer poli