Karnataka HC: Compassionate Appointments Allowed in All Aided PU Colleges

Quick Summary:

• The karnataka high Court ruled that applications for compassionate appointments in aided pre-university (PU) colleges cannot be rejected solely due to lack of vacancies in the college where the deceased employee worked.
• Justice Suraj Govindaraj overturned a decision by the deputy Director, School Education Department, which had denied petitioner Yamanappa Wadakar’s request for appointment after his father’s death.
• The petitioner’s father was employed as a First Grade Assistant at Adarsh Composite PU College, Bagalkot; his application was initially rejected on grounds of vacancy unavailability.
• According to the Karnataka Pre-University Education Rules (2010), when no vacancy exists in the relevant college, authorities must look for vacancies within other aided PU colleges in the same district or even across the State if necessary.
• The Court stated that rejection of such an application violates rules and emphasized that officials must follow regulatory mandates regarding compassionate appointments.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The recent ruling by the Karnataka High Court underscores both legal clarity and humanitarian considerations embedded within public administration. By affirming provisions under Karnataka’s 2010 PU Education Rules for statewide placement eligibility, it safeguards rights tied to compassionate employment-a mechanism that provides support to families after losing a wage-earner. This judgment could prompt government officials toward stricter adherence to prescribed regulations and ensure equitable treatment across state-supported institutions.

From an institutional perspective, this development may have implications on vacancy management policies in supported educational bodies. While addressing gaps locally might streamline processes, extending search efforts state-wide ensures broader access but may increase administrative complexities. Balancing these priorities will require careful coordination among education departments at district and state levels.

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