The court affirmed the right to a hearing before adverse decisions on employment-related notifications and ordered timely action on representations.

JUDGMENT

This writ petition is submitted by the petitioners seeking the following reliefs:

“i. To issue a writ of certiorari or any other appropriate writ order or direction to quash Ext P1 notification;

ii. To issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the 2^nd respondent to consider Exhibit P2 representation and issue orders safeguarding the interest of the petitioners.

iii. Dispense with the translation of vernacular documents;

iv. To grant such other reliefs which this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case.”

The petitioners are lorry drivers transporting goods from Beverages Corporation Warehouse in Chalakkudy to other beverage outlets. The petitioners’ grievance is against the issuance of Ext.P1 tender notification inviting bids for sale and delivery of the goods of the Beverages Corporation to various warehouses. According to the petitioners, the petitioners have been engaged as drivers for the past several years and in such circumstances, highlighting their grievances, the 1^st petitioner has submitted Ext.P2 representation before the 2^nd respondent. The limited relief sought by the petitioners is to direct the 2^nd respondent to consider Ext.P2 within a time frame.

After hearing the learned Counsel for the petitioners and the leaned Standing Counsel for the respondents 2 to 4, I am inclined to dispose of this writ petition. Accordingly, it is ordered that, the 2^nd respondent shall take up Ext.P2 and appropriate orders thereon shall be passed after giving the petitioners an opportunity for being heard. As far as Ext.P1 tender notification is concerned, in view of the fact that the process is already commenced and the technical evaluation is scheduled to be conducted today (20.11.2025), I am of the view that, the proceedings can go on based on Ext.P1. The decision shall be taken within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.