Latest news with #KSR
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Aided college teachers elected to LSGIs entitled to service benefits'
Kochi: High court has held that teachers in aided colleges affiliated with MG University are entitled to special leave and service benefits during their term as elected representatives or as presidents of local self-govt institutions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Justice Harisankar V Menon passed the order while allowing the petitions by Saji Chacko of Pathanamthitta and Eby N Eliyas of Piravom, who are teachers in aided colleges affiliated to MG University. Both of them were elected and served as presidents of a grama panchayat and a district panchayat, respectively. The govt had rejected their applications for special leave on the ground that such benefits applied only to aided school teachers under the Kerala Service Rules (KSR). The court noted that the petitioners are governed by the MG University Statutes, 1997, which specifically deal with leave provisions for teachers in aided colleges. It held that Statute 26 of the University Statutes overrides the general provisions of the KSR, and therefore, the rejection of the leave applications on the basis of the KSR was unjustified. The court also took into account that similar benefits had already been granted to aided school teachers, non-teaching staff of aided colleges and both teaching and non-teaching staff of higher secondary schools.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
MG University aided college teachers elected to local bodies entitled to service benefits, rules Kerala high court
Kochi: High court has held that teachers in aided colleges affiliated with MG University are entitled to special leave and service benefits for the period during which they serve as elected representatives or as presidents of local self-govt institutions. Justice Harisankar V Menon passed the order while allowing the petitions filed by Saji Chacko of Pathanamthitta and Eby N Eliyas of Piravom, who are teachers in aided colleges affiliated to MG University. Both of them were elected and served as presidents of a grama panchayat and a district panchayat, respectively. The govt had rejected their applications for special leave on the ground that such benefits applied only to aided school teachers under the Kerala Service Rules (KSR). The court noted that the petitioners are governed by the MG University Statutes, 1997, which specifically deal with leave provisions for teachers in aided colleges. It held that Statute 26 of the University Statutes overrides the general provisions of the KSR, and therefore, the rejection of the leave applications on the basis of the KSR was unjustified. The court also took into account that similar benefits had already been granted to aided school teachers, non-teaching staff of aided colleges and both teaching and non-teaching staff of higher secondary schools. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Flexible in AI & Data Science BITS Pilani Digital Apply Now Undo It further observed that the state govt has proposed amendments to the University Statutes through the pending University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to formalise the extension of such benefits. Allowing the petitions, HC directed that the petitioners be granted special leave, increments, and other service benefits for the period they served as local self-govt representatives. The authorities have been directed to comply with the order within four months.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Now, performance-based leave for judicial officers
Kochi: High court administration has decided that the leave applications of judicial officers in the district judiciary will now be considered, based on their performance in case disposal. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In this regard, the high court registrar (district judiciary) has issued an official memorandum to all principal district judges and chief judicial magistrates. They have been directed to include details of the percentage of target achieved, performance in the disposal of old cases and the quantum of leave availed over the last two years, while forwarding leave applications, other than casual leave, of judicial officers under their administrative control. The memorandum also recommends that the forwarding authorities include their own remarks when forwarding such leave applications. Meanwhile, some judicial officers have expressed concern that the rate of case disposal depends not solely on their individual performance, but also on various external factors such as cooperation from lawyers, availability of scientific reports and the presence of witnesses. They point out that commuted and earned leave are credited to their accounts as per the Kerala Service Rules (KSR), proportionate to years of service, and are typically availed for medical and family needs. They say that the move could adversely impact their future leave entitlements. Notably, KSR does not prescribe a performance-linked leave approval mechanism for any sector. However, HC sources said the objective is not to deny leave but to encourage more prudent use of leave, especially in light of the mounting backlog of cases. Absconding of the accused; a major reason for delay According to the National Judicial Data Grid, as of Friday, a total of 17.32 lakh cases are pending before various courts in the state, including 11.98 lakh criminal cases and 5.33 lakh civil cases. Notably, the most common reason for delays in case proceedings is the absconding of the accused, which accounts for 1,11,024 cases. The second most cited reason is the delay in receiving necessary documents, affecting 46,092 cases. The non-availability of counsel is the third leading cause of delay, with 4,386 cases pending for this reason, according to NJDG data.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Leave application of judicial officers of Kerala to be weighed against their performance
The leave applications of judicial officers of the District Judiciary of Kerala will be weighed against their professional performance. An office memorandum issued by the Registrar (District Judiciary) of the Kerala High Court on Monday has asked the Principal District Judges and the Chief Judicial Magistrates to include the details of 'the percentage of achievement of target, performance in the disposal of old cases and the details of leave availed in the last two years while forwarding applications for leave, other than casual 1ave of the Judicial Officers.' It also suggested that the Principal District Judges/Chief Judicial Magistrates shall offer their remarks on the request for leave. It appears that the circular is intended to serve as a deterrent for judicial officers from applying for their legally earned commuted and earned leaves, which are availed of to meet medical emergencies and familial commitments. These leaves are credited in their account proportional to the number of years of service, as prescribed in the Kerala Service Rules (KSR), pointed out a judicial officer. One need not wait for the leave application of the judicial officers to assess their performance as each officer files a monthly statement on disposal rate, total pendency of cases, the cases that are pending for more than five and 15 years, target achieved and cases stayed by higher courts. In addition, annual statements are also filed, said another judicial officer. The disposal of cases depends on a host of factors including the performance of the judge, the court staff and the cooperation of the lawyers. Taxing the judicial officers alone by adding a rider for availing the eligible leave amounts to a violation of Constitutional rights, felt a woman officer. The KSR doesn't mandate a performance-linked leave-granting system for any government official. The circular discriminates against the judicial officers alone as it has not introduced any such system for any other officials, including those of the Kerala High Court and district courts, argued another officer.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Nationwide strike: Left-ruled Kerala govt declares dies non
T'puram: The state govt on Tuesday issued orders ahead of the nationwide strike called by certain sections of employees and labourers, including CITU and INTUC, on Wednesday, declaring that unauthorised absence by govt employees and teachers participating in the strike will be treated as dies non — a loss of pay and service benefits for the day. According to the govt order issued by the general administration department, the day of the strike will be considered as unauthorised leave under Rule 14A of Part I of the Kerala Service Rules (KSR). Consequently, pay for July 9 will be deducted from the salary for the month of Aug 2025. No type of leave will be permitted for the strike day, except under exceptional circumstances like sickness (of self or close family members), examination duties, maternity or other unavoidable emergencies. The order, signed by chief secretary A Jayathilak, also warned that provisional recruits who absent themselves without prior sanction will be summarily removed from service. The govt has also made it clear that any employee involved in acts of violence or damage to public property will face prosecution. Heads of departments have been instructed to ensure compliance with Rule 86 of the Kerala Govt Servants' Conduct Rules, 1960, and relevant circulars, failing which disciplinary action will be taken. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo To ensure smooth functioning of govt offices on the strike day, the managing director of KSRTC and district collectors have been directed to operate adequate transport services for employees. Additionally, the order calls on district collectors, department heads and district police chiefs to provide protection to employees who do not participate in the strike, ensure unimpeded access to govt institutions and prevent crowding at office gates. The move is aimed at maintaining administrative continuity and ensuring that essential services remain unaffected despite the strike call.
