HC restrains state from filling up 218 posts of VAOs directly

Madurai: Madras high court on Wednesday passed an interim order restraining the state from filling up 218 village administrative officer (VAO) posts through direct recruitment.Justice K Kumaresh Babu passed the order while hearing a petition filed by R Arul Raj, state president (in-charge) of the village administrative officers association.The petitioner stated that in May, authorities notified the district vacancies of 218 posts for 2025-2026. Subsequently, proceedings were issued directing the incumbents to apply for one-way transfer counselling. Pursuant to the same, the members of the association applied.He stated that incumbent VAOs were legitimately waiting for transfers based on merit seniority. However, the 218 posts were handed over to Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) for filling them up through direct recruitment. Subsequently, a notification was issued by the TNPSC dated Sept 29. Due to the arbitrary action of the commissioner of revenue administration, the prospects of the incumbents were completely curtailed.As per communication issued in May, the authorities must have impulsively transferred the eligible village administrative officers to their preferred district based on their applications. Only after completion of the transfer counselling should the vacancies have been determined and thereafter handed over to TNPSC. Hence, the petitioner moved court.