Tangedco gets lines cleared for recruitment drive

The publication of results was stayed after 51 members who had completed their apprenticeship had challenged the notification requiring them to undergo written examination as illegal. They had also sought for a direction to TANGEDCO to absorb ex-apprentices as per the amended provision of Sec 22(1) of the Apprentices Act 1961. 

The petitioners had submitted that the said provision created a mandatory obligation on the employer to formulate a scheme to recruit the apprentices who have completed training in the establishment. 

Justice T S Sivagnanam, on dismissing the batch of petitions, held: “Based on the December 12, 2015, notification it is clear that the policy of TANGEDCO is to recruit not only apprentices, but also persons from the open market. Thus, the contention of the petitioner that there is no policy framed after the amendment to the Apprentice Act is incorrect.” 

The judge also held: “The amendment to Section 22 (1) of the Act does not confer any vested right to the apprentices. Even much prior to the amendment, the policy of the board was that if merit and ability are equal, preference shall be given to apprentice who had undergone training in the Board. All that the amendment insists upon the employer is to frame a policy, which has been done.”