IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
WP(C) No. 6914 of 2006(W)
1. G. JAYAPRAKASH, AGED 49 YEARS,
... Petitioner
Vs
1. STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY THE
... Respondent
2. KERALA STATE POLLUTION CONTROL
For Petitioner :SRI.H.B.SHENOY
For Respondent :SRI.MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN, SC,ELE.COMMN.
The Hon'ble MR. Justice T.R.RAMACHANDRAN NAIR
Dated :28/03/2007
O R D E R
T.R.RAMACHANDRAN NAIR, J.
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W.P.(C).NO.6914 OF 2006
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Dated this the 28th day of March, 2007.
JUDGMENT
The Writ Petitioner challenges Ext.P2 order passed by the first
respondent, whereby the Government reconstituted the Kerala State
Pollution Control Board. The petitioner contends that, as the petitioner was
nominated for a period of three years, going by the provisions of the Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, the action of the Government
by way of reconstituting the Board, before the expiry of his term and also
without resorting the provisions for removal under Section 5(3) are invalid in
law.
2. The second respondent has filed a counter affidavit wherein the
stand taken is that the petitioner was nominated by Ext.P1 in a casual
vacancy. Previously, the Government has reconstituted the Board as per
Ext.R2(b) order dated 4.12.2001, wherein 16 persons were nominated by the
Government. The petitioner was nominated by Ext.P1 to fill the remaining
vacancy and going by the provisions of the Act, he will get only the reminder
of the term. The contention is that going by Section 5(6) of the Act in
question, the action of the Government is perfectly justified.
3. I heard the counsel for the petitioner who took me to the
provisions of the Act and also the decisions of this Court reported in State
of Kerala vs. V.P.P.Muhammed Kunhi (1970 SLR 569) and that of Supreme
W.P.(C).NO.6914 OF 2006 2
Court in Hira devi and Others vs. District Board, Shahjahanpur (AIR 1952 SC
362) and State of Manipur and Others vs. Chandam Manihar Singh (AIR 1999
SC 3730) to contend for the position that when the Act provides for specific
provisions for nomination and for removal, the provisions of General Clauses
Act will not apply and further that the characterisation of the vacancy if it all
cannot be termed as a casual one to justify the removal of the petitioner.
4. Admittedly, the Government has reconstituted the Board as per
Ext.P2. This court did not pass any Interim Order staying the nomination.
As per the provisions of Section 4(2)(d), the Government can nominate three
non-official members and going by the order Ext.P2, the Government has
nominated three non-official members. The said members have not been
impleaded as respondents in the Writ Petition. Therefore any order without
them in the party array, will not be justified, as the decisions will affect the
continuance in office of one of them. In view of the above circumstances, I
close the Writ Petition without expressing anything on the merits of the
contentions of the parties. No costs.
T.R.RAMACHANDRAN NAIR
JUDGE
bkn