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Monday, September 26, 2011

service matter promotion on seniority and qualifiction = The first respondent had the necessary qualification when he appeared for the examination, and on his appointment by direct recruitment under the order dated 7.11.2000, his probation will start immediately thereafter under Rule 10 (1). The probation of the three appellants will start only after they obtain their qualification. The power of relaxation exercised by the Chief Justice in their case can only get them into the service since adequate number of computers operators were not available and their appointments will It is settled law that one should have the qualifications on the date when the applications are invited. Any such relaxation to permit unqualified candidates cannot be to the prejudice of the qualified candidates. They can be taken into the service but cannot steal a march over the qualified and the selected candidates.


                                           1



                                                         REPORTABLE


              IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

                CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION


                  CIVIL APPEAL No. 8200/2011

                             ARISING OUT OF

       SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (C) NO. 598 OF 2009


       K. Balarama Raju                            ...Appellant

                                     Versus


       CH. V. Subramanya Sarma & Ors.              ...Respondents


                                     With

                 CIVIL APPEAL No._8201/2011

                             ARISING OUT OF

     SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (C) NO.  5318 OF 2009


       Mohd. Sanullah Ansari & Anr.                ...Appellants

                                     Versus


       CH. V. Subramanya Sarma & Ors.              ...Respondents


                                     With

                 CIVIL APPEAL No._8202/2011

                             ARISING OUT OF

     SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (C) NO.  13379 OF 2009


       High Court of A.P.                          ...Appellant

                                     Versus


       CH. V. Subramanya Sarma & Ors.              ...Respondents


                             J U D G  E M E N T


H.L. Gokhale, J.


                 Leave granted.


                                                2



2.                     These three appeals arise from the judgment and Order dated


19.12.2008   passed   by   a   Division   Bench   of   the   Andhra   Pradesh   High   Court


allowing Writ Petition No. 11920/2008 filed by Ch. V. Subramanya Sarma who is


joined as respondent No. 1 in all these three matters.               The   appellant   in   the


first Appeal arising out of SLP No. 598/2009 and the two appellants in Appeals


arising   out   of   SLP   No.   5318/2009   were   respondents   to   the   aforesaid   Writ


Petition.  All the three appellants and the first respondent are employees of the


Andhra Pradesh High Court, and the aforesaid Writ Petition No. 11920/2008 was


concerning their seniority and promotion.  The said Writ Petition challenged the


decision   of   the   Andhra   Pradesh   High   Court   on   its   administrative   side   granting


seniority to these three appellants over the first respondent.   The Writ Petition


having been allowed, these three appellants have filed SLP Nos. 598/2009 and


5318/2009.  The third SLP is filed by the Andhra Pradesh High Court.



3.                     All the aforesaid three appellants and the first respondent at


the relevant time were working on the administrative side of the High Court at


Hyderabad in categories (4) and (5) alongwith other employees of Division-II i.e.


Assistants/Examiner & Typist/Copyists.  They were interested in their promotion


to the immediately higher post of Computer Operators which is in Category 3 (b)


of Division-II.



4.                     The service conditions of all these three appellants as well as


the first respondent are governed under the Andhra Pradesh High Court Service


Rules, 1975 framed by the Chief Justice of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh in


                                                    3



exercise   of   his   powers   conferred   under   Article   229   (1)   and   (2),   of   the


Constitution   of   India.   The   High   Court   administration   issued   a   circular   dated


24.10.2000   calling   for   particulars   from   the   members   of   the   High   Court


establishment for filling up these posts of Computer operators in accordance with


the   above   referred   rules.   As   far   as   this   promotion   is   concerned,   it   was   to   be


effected on the basis of a written and an oral test which were to be conducted


by the officials of the National Informatics Centre (NIC).



5.                      It was the case of the first respondent that under Rules 7 (7)


and   8   (4)   of   the   aforesaid   rules   the   requisite   qualification   for   the   post   of   a


Computer Operator was to possess a degree in Typewriting, capability in English


in  higher  grade,  and post-graduate  diploma  in computer  programming  or post


graduate   diploma   in   computer   applications.     He   had   this   qualification   and


therefore   he   applied   for   that   post,   and   when   the   test   was   conducted   on


1.11.2000, he cleared that examination.  Nine other candidates also cleared the


said   test  including   the  three   appellants   in  SLP  Nos.  598/2009  and   5318/2009.


However,   they   did   not   posses   the   aforesaid   requisite   qualification   of   post


graduate   diploma   in   computer   programming   or   post   graduate   diploma   in


computer application.   The High Court Administration however issued an order


dated 7.11.2000 permitting them alongwith two others to acquire the requisite


prescribed qualification within one year failing which they were to be reverted.


In   this   order   dated   7.11.2000   the   three   appellants   in   SLP   Nos.   598   and


5318/2009 were shown at Serial Nos. 1, 2 and 3, whereas the first respondent


                                                 4



was shown at Serial No. 4.   The order issued by the Registrar (Administration)


dated 7.11.2000 reads as follows:-


                       "PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   HIGH   COURT   OF   ANDHRA
PRADESH ::
                                                        HYDERABAD



              SUB-ESTABLISHMENT   -   HIGH   COURT   OF   A.P.   HYDERABAD   -
              Promotion to Category 3 (b) of Division II i.e. Computer Operators-
              Orders - Issued.


              READ:-   1.   G.O.MS.NO.   156   Law   (LA   &   J   Courts.C)   Department,
                             Dated 18.10.2000


                             2.   High   Court's   Circular   ROC   NO.   6017/2000/Estt.,
                             dated 24.10.2000         ...


                             ORDER ROC NO. 6939/200/Estt. 2 dated 7.11.2000


              The   Hon'ble   the   Chief   Justice   is   pleased   to   pass   the   following
              order:-


              The following members working in Category 4 and 5 of Division II
              i.e Assistants/ Examiners and Typists/Copyists who have appeared
              for the Written and Oral Test conducted by the N.I.C. officials on
              1.11.2000 and who have qualified in the tests, are promoted and
              appointed as Computer Operators on temporary basis.


              ______________________________________________________


              S.No.                Name
                       Designation

                                   Sarvasri
                       1.                      K. Balarama Raju
         Assistant
                       2.                      Mohd. Sanaullah Ansari
         Assistant
                       3.                      T. Tirumala Devi
         Typist
                       4.                      Ch. V. Subrahmanya Sarma Typist
                       5.                      M.V.S. Navinchandra
         Copyist
                       6.                      N. Chandrasekhar Rao
         Copyist


                                                   5



                         7.                      V. Satyanarayana
            Typist
                         8.                      L. Lakshmi Babu
            Typist
                         9.                      P. Nagarjuna Rao
            Assistant
                         10.                     L. Ramachandra Rao
            Assistant


                         The   members   shown   at   S.Nos.   1,   2   ,3,   9   and   10   shall
      acquire   the   requisite   prescribed   qualifications   within   one   year   failing
      which they shall be reverted.


                         The   above   said   appointments   are   made   purely   on
      temporary   and   on   an   adhoc   basis   without   any   preferential   claim   to
      future re-promotion or seniority and are liable to be reverted at any time
      without any notice and without assigning any reason."
                                                                                                       
      Sd/-
                                                                                     Registrar
      (Administration)

6.                       It so transpired that this period for passing of the examination


was further extended by the High Court for all the five candidates at Sr. Nos. 1,


2,   3,   9   &   10   above   by   one   more   year   by   a   further   notification   of   Registrar


(Administration)   dated   23.11.2001,   during   which   period   they   acquired   the


necessary   qualification.     The   respondent   No.   1   objected   to   the   fact   that   the


candidates  who  did  not  possess  the requisite  qualifications  at  the outset  were


shown   senior   to   him.     He   submitted   his   representation   for   getting   his   correct


seniority in the category of computer operators.   He made a representation on


2.11.2001,   but   that   was   rejected   by   the   order   passed   by   the   High   Court   on


15.11.2003.   He  then  sought   the  review   of   that  order  by   his  application  dated


19.2.2004 but he did not receive any response.


                                                    6



7.                        Thereafter,   the   Registrar   (Administration)   prepared   the


gradation/seniority   list   of   computer   operators   as   on   1.7.2005   and   invited   the


objections/representations   on   or   before   10.11.2005   vide   his   notification   dated


23.9.2005.     The   respondent   No.   1   once   again   submitted   his   objection   on


10.10.2005.     In   the   meanwhile,   the   Registrar   (Administration)   proceeded   to


finalise the seniority of the computer operators for consideration for promotion to


the next higher post namely that of Deputy Section Officer.  In the gradation list


of   19  employees  that  was  finalized,   the  two  appellants   of  SLP   No.  5318/2009


were shown senior  to respondent  No.  1 herein.   Since we are concerned  with


these three persons, we reproduce the entries with respect to them.



     "HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH, HYDERABAD GRADATION (SENIORITY)
      LIST IN THE CATEGORY 3(B) OF DIV. II i.e. COMPUTER OPERATORS AS ON
                                             01-07-2005



Sl. No.          Name                                    Date of Birth        Date           of           Educational

                 Sarvasri:                                                    entrance into  Qualifications

                                                                              Govt.

                                                                              service/Date

                                                                              of   Apptt.   To

                                                                              the Category

1.                Mohd. Sanaullah Ansari                  14-07-1963             21-02-1990    B.SC,   LL.B,

                                                                              *07-11-2000          Type   (E)   (H)

                                                                                                   PGDCA


  Department     Pay Rs.             Status   of  Whether                     Punishments          Remarks

al Tests                             the                 qualified   for  and detents

                                     Employee            the         next

                                                         promotion

       Accounts   Rs. 5640           Approved            Qualified            Nil                  Nil

Translation                          Probationer


Sl. No.          Name                                    Date of Birth        Date           of           Educational

                 Sarvasri:                                                    entrance into  Qualifications

                                                                              Govt.

                                                                              service/Date

                                                                              of   Apptt.   To

                                                                              the Category


                                                       7



2.                  T. Tirumala Devi                         13-06-1966             12-07-1994    M.Com, BAL,

                                                                                 *07-11-2000          PGDCP,   Type

                                                                                                      (E) (H)


  Department       Pay Rs.              Status   of  Whether                     Punishments          Remarks

al Tests                                the                 qualified   for  and detents

                                        Employee            the         next

                                                            promotion

            CPC,   Rs. 5150             Approved            Qualified            Nil                  Nil

Accounts                                Probationer

Translation


Sl. No.            Name                                     Date of Birth        Date           of           Educational

                   Sarvasri:                                                     entrance into  Qualifications

                                                                                 Govt.

                                                                                 service/Date

                                                                                 of   Apptt.   To

                                                                                 the Category

3.                  Ch. V.Subrahmanya Sarma                  24-04-1961             20-12-1985    B.Com,   LLB.

                                                                                 *07-11-2000          Type   (E)   (H),

                                                                                                      Type   (T)   (H)

                                                                                                      PGDCA,   PGD

                                                                                                      in Cyber Laws

                                                                                                      &             Legal

                                                                                                      Information

                                                                                                      System


  Department       Pay Rs.              Status   of  Whether                     Punishments          Remarks

al Tests                                the                 qualified   for  and detents

                                        Employee            the         next

                                                            promotion

CPC,                Rs. 6950            Approved            Qualified            Nil                  Nil

Accounts                                Probationer

Translation


            As   far   as   the   appellant   of   Appeal   No.   598/2009   K.   Balarama   Raju   is


concerned  he   was  at   Sl.   No.   1  in   the   earlier   order  dated   7.11.2000.    He  was


already promoted to the higher post in Category 1 of Division-II i.e. Translators


& Deputy Section Officers by High Court order dated 11.3.2005 and therefore,


his name did not figure in this seniority list of Computer Operators.



8.                          The   further   representation   of   the   respondent   No.   1   dated


10.10.2005 was rejected by the High Court by its proceedings dated 16.11.2007.


                                                8



He was however, subsequently promoted to the post of Deputy Section Officer


under High Court order dated 10.12.2007, but was placed much junior to these


appellants.     He   therefore,   challenged   the   proceeding   of   the   High   Court   dated


16.11.2007,   communicating   rejection   of   his   representation   in   response   to   the


gradation  list  of  computer  operators  as on 1.7.2005 by filing  Writ  Petition  No.


119/2008.



9.                    The first respondent contended before the High Court that he


had the necessary qualification when the examination for the posts of computer


operators   was   conducted,   whereas   the   appellants   of   SLP   Nos.   598   and


5318/2009,   did   not   have   those   qualifications   at   the   outset,   but   acquired   the


same   within   the   subsequent   period   of   two   years   which   was   permitted   by   the


High Court.  He submitted that therefore, the High Court was wrong in giving the


ranks in the gradation list, and he should have been shown senior to these three


appellants.  As against that, the submission of the three appellants was that they


had passed the preliminary examination conducted by the High Court alongwith


the first respondent,  and had obtained  more marks than him.   It is therefore,


that   they  were  shown  at  S.Nos.  1,  2  and  3 above   the  first   respondent   in  the


order   dated   7.11.2000,   although   they   had   acquired   the   requisite   diplomas


subsequent   to   the   preliminary   examination.     They   had   been   granted   the


relaxation   to   obtain   the   qualification   which   was   permissible.     The   subsequent


seniority list of the computer operation as on 1.7.2005 was based on this order


dated 7.11.2000, and the decision of the High Court administration was correct.


                                                   9



10.                     The   Division   Bench   has   taken   the   view   that   since   the   first


respondent   had   those   qualifications   right   at   the   outset,   the   first   respondent


ought to have been shown senior over the three appellants in SLP Nos. 538/2009


and 5318/2009.  The High Court therefore allowed the Writ Petition filed by the


first   respondent,   and   set-aside   the   gradation   list   published   under   notification


dated 23.9.2005.  It directed the Registrar (Administration) to refix the seniority


of   the   computer   operators,   taking   the   date   of   their   acquiring   requisite


qualifications   as   per   rules   7   (7)   and   8   (4)   of   the   relevant   rules,   and   accord


consequential benefits arising therefrom.



11.                     The   three   appellants   are   aggrieved   by   this   judgment   and


order, and have therefore, filed SLP Nos. 598/2009 and 5318/2009.   The High


Court administration has also filed SLP No. 13379/2009.  SLP No. 598/2009 came


up   for   consideration   on   23.1.2009   when   a   notice   was   directed   to   be   issued


therein, and the impugned order was stayed until further orders.  The other two


petitions have been directed to be tagged along with SLP No. 598/2009.   The


respondents have filed their counter affidavits and the appellants have filed their


rejoinder affidavits.



12.                     Mr.   V.   Sridhar   Reddy   and   Mr.   V.N.   Raghupathy,   learned


Advocates have appeared in support of SLP NO. 598/2009, Mr. L.N. Rao, Senior


Advocate   appeared   for   the   appellant   in   SLP   No.   5318/2009   and   Ms.   C.K.


Sucharita,   Advocate   appeared   in   support   of   SLP   No.   13379/2009.     Mr.


                                                 10



Narasimha, Senior Advocate  has appeared  for the first respondent in all the 3


appeals to defend the judgment and order passed by the High Court.



13.                    The   principle   submission   of   the   appellants   is   that   the   High


Court   had   granted   the   time   to   acquire   the   necessary   additional   qualifications.


The   qualifications   were   not   considered   sacrosanct   by   the   High   Court   at   the


outset.  The Chief Justice had the necessary power to grant the relaxation.  The


appellants as well as the first respondent had appeared for the common written


and the oral test which included the aspect of capability of computer operation.


The   appellants   have   obtained   higher   marks   than   the   first   respondent,   and


therefore,  the High Court  administration  was right in placing  them at a higher


position in the gradation list.  The appellants and High Court administration are


relying on Rule 23 of the above Service Rules.  This rule reads as follows:-


           "Rule   23-   Relaxation   of   Rules   by   the   Chief   Justice:-
          Nothing in these rules  shall be construed to limit or abridge the
          power of the Chief Justice to deal with the case of any member
          of the service or any other person to be appointed to the service
          in such manner as may appear to him to be just or equitable;
          Provided that where any such rule is applicable to the case of any
          person,   the   case   shall   not   be   dealt   with   in   any   manner,   less
          favourable to him than that provided by that rule."


14.                    As against that, the submission of the first respondent is that


on the basis of the aforesaid rules 7 (7) and 8 (4) the candidates had to have the


necessary   qualifications   and   special   qualifications   at   the   outset.   The   first


respondent   had   the   necessary   qualification,   and   therefore,   he   ought   to   have


been  shown  at a higher  seniority  position  than that of these three  appellants,


                                                   11



which is what the High Court has done on the judicial side.  These rules read as


follows:-



             "Rule 7 - Qualifications


       (7)             FOR THE POSTS OF COMPUTER OPERATORS:


             Must have passed Degree in Arts or Science or Commerce of a
   University in India Established or incorporated by or under a Central
   Act, Provincial act or a State Act or from any Institution recognized
   by the University Grants Commission.


                                             OR


             Must   have   passed   Degree   in   B.C.A.   (Bachelor   of   Computer
   Application) of a University in India Established in incorporated by or
   under   a   Central   Act,   Provisional   Act   or   a   State   Act   or   from   any
   Institution recognized by the University Grants Commission.


             NOTE:       If   the   Candidate   passed   the   Degree   in   B.C.A,   he
       need   not   pass   the   Special   Qualifications   as   prescribed   in
       Schedule-I (Under Rule-8) of the A.P. High Court Service Rules,
       1975.


             [AMENDMENT-III: Above words  shall be added  as  sub-rule 7
   after sub-rule 6 in Rule 7 for the posts of Computer Operators as per
   A.P. Gazette 412 Part I extraordinary dated 08.10.1999.]


             Rule 8 - Special Qualifications


   *(4)   FOR   COMPUTER   OPERATORS:  In   addition   to   the
   Graduation,   a   Computer   Operator   must   have   passed   Typewriting
   English   Higher   Grade   and   Post   Graduate   Diploma   in   Computer
   Programming   or   Post   Graduate   Diploma   in   Computer   Application
   (One   Year   Course)   which   is   recognized   by   the   Central   or   State
   Government.


   *[AMENDMENT-V: Above words  shall  be added as sub-rule 4 after
   sub-rule 3 for the posts of Computer Operators  vide A.P. Gazettee
   No. 412 Par I Extraordinary dated 08.10.1999]."


15.                    The   principle   submission   of   the   first   respondent   before   the


High Court was that the three appellants did not have the requisite qualifications


                                              12



when the Registrar, Administration issued the circular dated 24.10.2000 calling


for   the   names   with   particulars   for   the   posts   of   Computer   Operators   with


qualifications as per the above rules 7 (7) and 8 (4).  This circular clearly stated


that:- (i) The applicants had to be graduates; (ii) They had to have passed the


typewriting (English) exam by the higher grade; and   (iii) they ought to posses


Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Programming or Post Graduate Diploma in


Computer   Application   which   is   recognised   by   Central   Government   or   State


Government.   This circular dated 24.10.2000 stated as follows:-



          "HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH :: HYDERABAD


          R.O.C.NO.6017/2000/Estt.                                 Dated:
       24.10.2000


                                            CIRCULAR


          The   members   of   the   High   Court   Establishment,   who   are
       graduates   and   who   have   passed   Type   Writing   (English)   by   the
       Higher   Grade   and  Post   Graduate   Diploma   in   Computer
       Programming  OR  Post   Graduate   Diploma   in   Computer
       Application  (ONE  YEAR COURSE),  which is recognized by the
       Central Government or State Government are requested to furnish
       the   said   information   to   the   Registrar   (Administration)   by
       25.10.2000 along with true copies of the said certificates.


                                                                   Sd/-


                                            REGISTRAR
       (ADMINISTRATION)"


16.                  Pursuant   to   this   circular,   the   applicants   were   called   for   a


written test by another circular dated 31.10.2000.   This circular stated that the


oral interview  will  also be conducted  at the same venue after  the written  test


was over.  The circular contained the list of candidates who were called to give


                                                 13



that test, and it included the names of the three appellants as well as the first


respondent.  The circular further informed the candidates as follows:-



           "They   are   further   informed   that   they   have   to   produce   their
        certificates   regarding   `Computer   Course'   and   proof   regarding   the
        duration of the course attended by them, in original, and in proof
        of passing of Typewriting English by the Higher Grade, before Sri
        M.S.K.   Prabhu,   Deputy   Registrar,   by   11.00   A.M.,   without   fail.     If
        any candidate fails to produce the concerned certificates and proof,
        it will be deemed that he/she has no requisite qualification to hold
        the post.


           The   staff   members   are   permitted   to   appear   for   the   Written
        Examination   and   interview   subject   to   their   holding   the   requisite
        qualification, as per rules."


           Thus,   it   was   very   clear   that   the   staff   members   were   permitted   to


appear   for   the   written   examination   and   interview   subject   to   their   holding   the


requisite qualifications, as per the rules.


17.                    The   first   respondent   and   three   appellants   did   pass   that


examination, but the three appellants did not have the requisite diploma.   That


was   also   the   deficiency   with   two   other   employees   who   otherwise   got   good


marks.   It appears that the High Court was in need of ten Computer Operators


and,  therefore,  the Hon'ble  Chief  Justice  was pleased  to  pass the order  dated


7.11.2000 which has been referred to earlier.  This order also clearly stated that


the   three   appellants   and   the   two   other   candidates   listed   in   that   order   dated


7.11.2000   had   to   acquire   the   necessary   qualification   within   one   year   failing


which they were to be reverted.   The last part of this order dated 7.11.2000 is


relevant and reads as follows:-


                                                  14



           "The   above   said   appointments   are   made   purely   on   temporary
        and on an adhoc basis without any preferential claim to future re-
        promotion   or   seniority   and   are   liable   to   be   reverted   at   any   time
        without any notice and without assignment any reason."


           The   first   respondent   pointed   out   that   the   three   appellants   did   not


acquire the necessary qualifications within one year, and they sought extension


of one more year during which period they obtained the necessary qualifications.


It   was   submitted   that   the   seniority   of   the   respondent   no.1   will   have   to   be


counted  from the date when he joined as Computer Operator  pursuant to the


order   dated   7.11.2000.     The   relaxation   in   the   order   dated   7.11.2000,   clearly


stated that as far as the three appellants are concerned, their appointments were


purely temporary and without any preferential claim to the future re-promotion


or seniority  and they were liable  to reverted.    They could  claim  their  seniority


only from the date when they obtained the qualification and could not have a


seniority position higher than that of the respondent no.1.



18.                    The   High   Court   Administration   had   justified   the   grant   of


seniority  to  the   three  appellants   on  the  footing  that   the  Chief   Justice  had  the


power under the above referred rule 23 to deal with the case of any member of


the  Court  Service   or  any   other   person   to   be   appointed   to   the  service   in  such


manner as may appear to him to be just or equitable.   The High Court needed


ten   Computer   Operators,   and   the   three   appellants   had   otherwise   passed   the


examination and therefore, although they obtained the diploma certificates later


than the first respondent, they were shown at higher position on the basis of the


marks they had obtained in the test.   The three appellants were to be reverted


                                              15



since they did not obtain the necessary qualification within the initial period of


one year.  It was a matter of grace and because of the requirement of the High


Court that the Chief Justice gave them further extension of one year as sought


by them.   Such persons were liable to be reverted from the particular post and


could not claim seniority over a person who is duly appointed with all necessary


qualifications.



19.                   The   three   appellants   had   relied   upon   the   judgments   of   the


Andhra   Pradesh   High   Court   in   two   other   connected   matters   wherein   the


selections  based   on  the  merit   list  submitted  by  the  NIC  reflected   in  the  order


dated   7.11.2000   had   come   to   be   challenged.     The   first   one   was   W.P.   No.


22501/2000 wherein the challenge was to the policy decision to fix the cut off


marks to 45% to consider  the case of the qualified  candidates for  the post of


Computer Operators.  In the second petition bearing W.P. No.2217/2001 it was


contended that sufficient time had not been given for preparation, and that the


ratio of 2:1 between the Assistants/Examiners and Typists/Copyists had not been


maintained.  The Division Bench which heard those two petitions did not find any


substance in those arguments and it was held that there was nothing wrong in


keeping   appropriate   minimum   marks,   and   that   the   aforesaid   ratio   would   not


apply to direct recruitment.



           Consideration of the Rival Submissions -


                                                16



20.                    To   appreciate   the   rival   submission,   we   may   refer   to   the


relevant rules.  The Andhra Pradesh High Court Service Rules, 1975 contain in all


29   Rules,   three   Schedules   and   one   Annexure.     Rule   1   gives   the   short   title,


commencement and extent of the rules.  Rule 2 gives the definitions.  Rule 3 is


on the constitution of the service.  It states that the service shall consist of the


divisions,   categories   and   sub-categories   of   officers,   as   mentioned   therein.


Division I consists of the Gazetted Posts, Division II the Non-Gazetted Posts and


Division   III   the   Miscellaneous   Posts.     Division   II   consists   of   5   categories.


Category-1 is of Translators and Deputy Section Officers, Category-2 consists of


Overseer, Category-3 consists of (a) Assistant Section Officer and (b) Computer


Operators, Category-4 consists of (a) Assistants (b) Readers and Examiners (c)


Telex  Operator  (d) Telephone  Operator  and  Category-5 consists  of (a)  Typists


and (b) Copyists.



21.                    As noted earlier, the three appellants and the first respondent


were concerned with their promotion from Categories-4 and 5 to Category-3 (b),


viz. that of Computer Operators.  Subsequently, they all have been promoted to


the posts of Deputy Section Officers which is in Category-1 of Division II.   We


are,   however,   concerned   with   their   seniority   when   they   were   selected   for   the


posts of Computer Operators.   Their seniority as Computer Operators will be a


relevant factor for deciding their subsequent seniority as Deputy Section Officers.



22.                    Rule   4   defines   the   appointing   authority.     Rule   5   gives   the


method  of appointment  to  the service  and states that the appointment  to  the


                                                   17



post and category mentioned in Column (1) of the table below the rule shall be


made in the manner specified against them in Column (2) thereof.  As far as the


Category-3   (a)   Assistant   Section   Officer   and   (b)   Computer   Operators   are


concerned, it will be filled by either of the two methods:-


        (i) By direct recruitment; or


        (ii)            By promotion from categories 4 and 5 in the ratio of 2:1 in


every cycle of three vacancies, the second vacancy shall be filled from Category


5   by   a   person   qualified   under   rule   8.     If   there   is   no   qualified   and   suitable


member, the turn will lapse and the vacancy shall be filled by next turn in the


order or rotation.   No account shall be taken of any such lapsed turns in filling


future vacancies.



23.                     It is not disputed  that the present selections were by direct


recruitment and that is why the test for selection was taken by NIC.  Sub-rule 2


of Rule 5 states that the Chief Justice may determine the proportion of vacancies


to   be   filled   by   each   method   where   appointment   to   any   category   or   post   is


provided by more than one method and also specify the manner in which such


appointment   shall   be   made   in   case   of   direct   recruitment.   Sub-rule   3   is   on


seniority and it reads as follows:-



            "(3) Seniority:- (a) The seniority of a member of the service in a
        Category or post shall unless he has been reduced to a lower rank
        as   a   punishment,   be   determined   by   the   date   of   his   first
        appointment to the service, category or post, where any difficulty
        or doubt arises in determining the seniority, is shall be determined
        by the appointing authority.   If any portion of the service of such
        person   does   not   count   towards   probation   under   Rule   16,   his


                                                 18



        seniority shall be determined by the date of commencement of the
        service, which counts towards probation.


           (b)         The appointing authority may at the time of passing an
        order appointing two or more persons simultaneously to a Category
        of the service fix the order of preference among them and where
        such   order   has   been   fixed,   the   seniority   shall   be   determined   in
        accordance therewith.


           (c)         Where   a   member   of   any   division   or   Category   is
        reduced to a lower division or Category, he shall be placed at the
        top   of   the   later,   unless   the   authority   ordering   such   reduction
        otherwise directs."


24.                    Rule 6 is on reservation of appointments, and Rule 7 gives the


qualification.     Rule   7   (7)   gives   the   qualifications   for   the   posts   of   Computer


Operators   which   rule   we   have   already   referred.   Rule   8   gives   the   special


qualifications   and   that   Rule   8   (4)   gives   the   qualifications   for   the   Computer


Operators which also we have already mentioned.



25.                    We   are   concerned   with   the   promotions   and   they   are   dealt


with in Rule 15 and the temporary appointments and promotions are dealt with


in Rule 16.  These two Rules read as follows:-



           "Rule-15. Promotions:-  (1) All promotions shall be made by
        the appointing authority in accordance with Rule-5.


           (2)         All   categories   in   Division-I   and   Categories   1   to   3   of
        Division-II   shall   be   selection   categories   and   promotion   there   to
        shall   be   made   on   grounds   of   merit   and   ability,   seniority   being
        considered only where merit and ability are approximately equal.


           Provided   that   "the   claims   of   any   member   of   the   Scheduled
        Castes   or   the   Scheduled   Tribes   shall   be   considered   for   such
        promotion on the basis of seniority, subject to fitness".


           Rule-16. Temporary Appointments and Promotions:-


                                                19



          (1)         Where it is necessary to fill a vacancy in any division,
       category, sub-category, or post in the service and there would be
       undue delay or administrative inconvenience in appointing a person
       who   is   qualified   for   or   entitled   to   such   appointment   or   a   duly
       qualified   person   is   not   available,   the   appointing   authority   may
       appoint any other suitable person temporarily until an appointment
       is made in accordance with these rules.


          (2) (a) A person appointed under sub-rule (1) shall be replaced
       as soon as possible by a member of the service, who is entitled to
       promotion, under these rules or the case may be, by a candidate
       qualified to hold the post under the rules.


          (b)         A   person   appointed   under   sub-rule   (1)   shall   not   be
       regarded as a probationer in such division, category or post or be
       entitled   by   reason   only   of   such   appointment   to   any   preferential
       claim to future appointment, to such division, category or post.


          If   such   a   person   is   subsequently   appointed   to   the   division,
       category   or   post   in   accordance   with   these   rules,   he   shall
       commence his probation in such division, category or post from the
       date of such subsequent appointment or from such earlier date as
       the appointing authority may determine."

26.                   From the narration of facts and reference to the rules above,


it is clear that as far as the first respondent is concerned he had the necessary


qualifications when he appeared for the examination of Computer Operators.  His


appoint is pursuant to the order dated 7.11.2000 with immediate effect and his


probation will start immediately thereafter under Rule 10 (1) on probation which


reads as follows:


                                  "Rule   10.   Probation-(1)   Every   person
           appointed to the Service otherwise than by promotion, or by
           transfer shall be on probation for a total period of two years
           on duty within a continuous period of three years."


27.                   As far the three appellants are concerned, their appointments


were purely temporary and on adhoc basis, and they were liable to be reverted if


they were not to acquire the necessary qualification within one year.  The order


                                                  20



dated   7.11.2000   further   stated   that   their   appointments   are   without   any


preferential claim to future re-promotion or seniority.  These three appellants did


not obtain the necessary qualification  within  the period  of one year.   On their


request they were given a further extension of time of one year by subsequent


order dated 22.11.2001 issued by the Chief Justice.  This order reads as follows:-



        "PROCEEDINGS OF THE HIGH COURT OF A.P. :: HYDERABAD.


                  Sub:-  ESTABLISHMENT - HIGH COURT OF A.P., HYDERBAD
                  -   S/Sri   K.   Balarama   Raju,   Mohd.   Sanaullah   Ansari,   T.
                  Tirumala Devi, P. Nagarjuna Rao and L. Ramachandra Rao,
                  Computer   Operators,   High   Court   A.P.,   Hyderabad   -
                  Extension of time for passing of the requisite qualifications -
                  Granted - Orders - Issued.


                  Ref.: Applications submitted by
                        S/Sri.
                          1.        K. Balarama Raju, dt. 27.10.2001
                          2.        Modh. Sanaullah Ansari, dt. 27.10.2001
                          3.        T. Tirumala Devi, dt. 5.11.2001
                          4.        P. Nagarjuna Rao, dt. 27.10.2001
                          5.        L. Ramachandra Rao, dt. 5.11.2001.


        ORDER R.O.C. No.7595/2001 - Estt.2. dt. 22-11-2001.


                  The   Hon'ble   Chief   Justice   is   pleased   to   pass   the   following
        order:


                  In the circumstances  stated by  Sarvasri  K. Balarama  Raju,
        Mohd. Sanaullah Ansari, T. Tirumala Devi, P. Nagarjuna Rao and L.
        Ramachandra   Rao,   Computer   Operators,   High   Court   of   A.P.,
        Hyderabad,   in   their   applications   read   above,   they   are   granted
        extension of time for a further period of one year from 7-11-2001
        to enable them to acquire the requisite qualifications.



                                                    REGISTRAR (ADMINISTRATION)"


28.                     The   three   appellants   did   not   have   the   diploma   certificates


when   they   appeared   for   the   examination,   yet   in   view   of   their   marks   in   the


                                                21



examination they were appointed as computer operators since the High Court did


not get adequate  number of qualified  persons. They were  therefore  appointed


under Rule 16 (1) on purely temporary basis and were liable to be reverted, if


they did not get the qualification in the time provided.   Rule 16 (2) (b) states


that such a person who is appointed under Rule 16 (1) shall not be regarded as


a  probationer  by   reason  of  any  such  appointment   to  any  preferential  claim  to


future appointment to such division, category or post.   Second part of Rule 16


(2) (b) states if such a person is subsequently appointed to the division, category


or post in accordance  with these rules, he shall commence his probation  from


the   date   of   his   subsequent   appointment   or   from   such   earlier   date   as   the


appointing authority may determine.  The power of the Chief Justice under Rule


23 states that if relaxation under the rule is made applicable to the case of any


person, the case shall not be dealt with in any manner, less favourable to the


candidate than that provided by that rule.  However, this rule cannot be read to


mean   that   while   granting   the   benefit   under   this   rule,   the   beneficiary   can   be


placed at an advantage as against the one who is otherwise qualified and does


not   need   the   relaxation.   The   first   respondent   had   the   necessary   qualification


when   he   appeared   for   the   examination,   and   on   his   appointment   by   direct


recruitment under the order dated 7.11.2000, his probation will start immediately


thereafter  under Rule  10 (1).   The probation  of the three  appellants  will  start


only after they obtain their qualification.   The power of relaxation exercised by


the Chief Justice in their case can only get them into the service since adequate


number of computers operators were not available and their appointments will


                                                     22



get regularized when they get their qualification.  The selection was done after a


test and on the basis of merit.  Possessing the necessary diploma certificate was


a part of the qualification and merit.   The passing of the examination required


minimum   45   marks.     Obviously   those   who   had   the   qualification   and   who


obtained   45   marks   and   above   will   have   to   be   placed   at   the   top   of   the   list   in


seniority.  Those who did not have the qualification at that time but obtained it


later   on,   even   if   they   had   obtained   higher   marks   in   the   test   will   have   to   be


placed   at   a   position   lower   than   these   candidates   having   qualification,   and


necessary   marks.   As   far   as   the   first   respondent   is   concerned,   his   probation


having started earlier he will complete the same earlier to the appellants no.1, 2


and  3 and will have to be reckoned  senior  to  them.    The governing  rules will


have to be read and applied meaningfully in this manner so that no prejudice will


be   done   to   a   candidate   who   otherwise   had   the   qualifications   and   who   is


appointed   after   passing   the   test.     It   is   settled   law   that   one   should   have   the


qualifications on the date when the applications are invited.  Any such relaxation


to   permit   unqualified   candidates   cannot   be   to   the   prejudice   of   the   qualified


candidates.   They can be taken into the service but cannot  steal a march over


the qualified and the selected candidates.



29.                      The three appellants had contended that the petition filed by


the first respondent suffered on account of latches and delay in moving the High


Court.   We have already pointed out that when the order dated 7.11.2000 was


issued,   the   first   respondent   represented   on   2.11.2001,   but   the   representation


                                              23



was rejected on 15.11.2003.  He moved for a review on 19.2.2004, but the same


was   not   responded.     When   the   seniority   of   the   Computer   Operators   was


published by notification dated 23.9.2005 and objections were invited, the first


respondent   submitted   his   objection   on   10.10.2005.     That   representation   was


rejected   by   the   High   Court's   Proceeding   dated   6.11.2007   and   the   first


respondent   was   placed   junior   to   the   three   appellants.     He   challenged   that


communication   by   his   W.P.   No.11920/2008.       Thus,   there   was   no   delay   or


latches on the part of the first respondent in moving the High Court.



30.                   In   the   circumstances,   we   do   not   find   any   error   in   the


judgment and order of the High Court which accepted the legitimate seniority of


the first respondent above the three appellants. The High Court has allowed the


Writ   Petition   No.   11920/2008   filed   by   the   first   respondent,   set   aside   the


gradation list of computer operators as on 1.7.2005 and further directed the High


Court   administration   to   refix   their   seniority   and   to   grant   the   consequential


benefits.  We approve this judgment and order dated 19.12.2008 passed by the


Andhra   Pradesh   High   Court,   although   also   for   the   reasons   given   in   this


judgment.     These   three   appeals   are,   therefore,   dismissed.     The   interim   stay


granted by this court will stand vacated.  The High Court administration will now


proceed to take steps as directed in the said judgment and order in accordance


with the law laid down herein. In the facts of the case, there will be no order as


to costs.



                                                        ........................................J.


                              24



                                    (  J.M. Panchal )


                                   

                                             

                                    .........................................J.

                                    ( H.L. Gokhale  )


New Delhi


Dated:  September 26, 2011


25