G.O. (RT)1886/2026/LSGD ...

Government of Kerala. Abstract: Local Self Government - Staff Affairs - Implementation of the judgment of the Hon'ble High Court in WP(C) 13430/2026 filed by Smt. Faisa Shibila T, Project Assistant, Kalpakanchery Grama Panchayat, Palakkad District - Orders issued. Local Self Government (EPA) Department. G.O.(Rt) No. 1886/2026/LSGD, Dated, Thiruvananthapuram, 07-10-2026. References: 1. G.O.(Rt) No. 1846/2021/LSGD dated 24/09/2021. 2. Decision No. 9(1) dated 03.03.2026 of the Kalpakanchery Grama Panchayat Committee. 3. Appeal application dated 27.03.2026 submitted by Smt. Faisa Shibila T to the Principal Secretary, Local Self Government Department. 4. Judgment dated 08.07.2026 in WP(C) 13430/2026. 5. G.O.(Rt) No. 1805/2026/LSGD dated 25/09/2026. 6. Circular No. EPA3/464/2025/LSGD dated 28/09/2026. Order: The Hon'ble High Court, in its judgment dated 08.07.2026 in WP(C) 13430/2026 filed by Smt. Faisa Shibila T, had ordered to take a decision on the appeal application (Ext.P13) submitted by her within two months, after providing an opportunity for a personal hearing to the petitioner and the respondents, as per reference (4). 2). As per reference (1), the government had issued orders permitting the appointment of a Project Assistant on contract basis to assist the Grama Panchayat Secretaries in geotagging construction works related to the 15th Finance Commission grant and preparing bills in the e-GramSwaraj portal, and also prescribed the procedures for their selection. Subsequently, the contract period of the Project Assistants was extended through various orders. 3). The petitioner had requested in her appeal (Ext.P13) that her contract period, which ended on 31/03/2026, should be extended, arguing that the Panchayat Committee's decision to not renew it and instead conduct a new appointment was against the Secretary's report and should be cancelled. 4). Based on the Hon'ble High Court's order (reference 4), the Deputy Secretary of the Local Self Government Department conducted a personal hearing on 01/09/2026 at 11:00 AM, attended by the petitioner Smt. Faisa Shibila T and the respondents, Panchayat Secretary-in-charge Shri K. A. Shanmughan and Panchayat President Shri V. M. Muhammed Ali. 5). Smt. Faisa Shibila T has been serving in Kalpakanchery Panchayat on contract basis since 2021. She was appointed based on a rank list published after an interview. All four Secretaries and the governing body have acknowledged her satisfactory service. However, the Panchayat Committee, in its meeting on 03/03/2026, decided not to renew her contract as it was ending on 31/03/2026 and to conduct a new appointment. The petitioner argued that the decision was biased and final, despite the Secretary's warning about potential payment delays. 6). During the hearing, the Secretary and President stated: i. The appointment is contract-based as per government orders valid until 31/03/2026. Service cannot continue without government orders after the expiry. The governing body decided to conduct a new interview in which the petitioner can participate. She was not dismissed; her contract expired. Continuous service does not grant a right to continue. ii. Allegations of bias or political motivation against the governing body are unproven. iii. The decision of the governing body is not subject to appeal under Section 191 of the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act. They requested permission to proceed with the new appointment. 7). The government examined the matter. The contract period for Project Assistants in the state has been extended for one year from April 1, 2026, as per reference (5). Circular (6) directs that representations and court cases regarding contract extensions should be settled in accordance with the guidelines in the government order. 8). In these circumstances, the appeal application (Ext.P13) is disposed of by directing the Kalpakanchery Panchayat Secretary to take a decision on the extension of the contract of Smt. Faisa Shibila T in accordance with the guidelines in government orders (5) and (6), thereby implementing the Hon'ble High Court's judgment (4). (By order of the Governor) Dr. K. Anil Joy, Deputy Secretary.