O R D E R
Delay condoned. Leave granted. We have heard learned counsel on both sides.
This appeal by special leave arises from the order passed on March 31, 1995 by C.A.T., New Delhi in O.A. No.1801/94.
The post of E.C.G. Technician in the Grade of Rs.12002040 became vacant on November 30, 1993 in the Central Hospital, Northern Railway due to retirement, Mrs. William Chand, a general candidate, holding that post. For promotion of Theater Assistants to the said post, trade test was conducted in which Smt. Prakash Kaur belonging to Scheduled Castes and two others were called. The vacancy to be filled up was reserved for Scheduled Castes in a carry forward post as per the rotation of the roster. In the trade test held on December 8, 1994, Smt. Prakash Kaur was found suitable and she was accordingly promoted as E.C.G. Technician w.e.f. December 9, 1994. The respondent an unsuccessful candidate filed O.A. in the Tribunal contending that since the post E.C.G. Technician is the solitary post, reservation as per roster is unconstitutional as it would lead to 100% reservation. The contention found favour with the Tribunal. Accordingly, it set aside the appointment by promotion of Smt. Prakash kaur and gave direction to treat it as unreserved post and to consider the case of the respondent for appointment to the post according to Rules. The controversy is no longer res integra. This Court in Union of India & Anr. v. Madhav s/o Gajanan Chaubal & Anr. [JT 1996 (9) SC 320] by a Bench of three judges considered the entire case law following the Constitution Bench judgments in A.R. Choudhury v. Union of India & Ors. [(1974) 1 SCC 87], Commissioner of Commercial Taxes v. D.Sethu Madhva Rao [(1996) 7 SCC 512], Venkteswarlu v. Govt, of A.P. [(1996) 5 SCC 167] and State of Bihar v. Bageshwardi Prasad [(1995) supp. 1 SCC 432]. It was held that "even though there is a single post, if the Government have applied the rule of rotation and roster point to the vacancies that had arisen in the single point post and were sought to be filled up the candidate belonging to the reserved categories at the point on which they were eligible to be considered, such a rule is not violative of Articles 14 and 16(1) of the Constitution". In that case the post of Secretary in the National Savings Scheme Service was a single point post to which 40 point roster was maintained to the vacancy in the said post. When the Scheduled Tribes candidate was selected for promotion on the basis the rule of rotation, it was held by the Tribunal that the promotion was violative of Articles 14 and 16(1) of the Constitution. Reversing that order it was held that:
"Thus, the Government have adhered
to the rule of rotation to a single
post and the 40 point roster to the
single post was applied and the
vacancy reserved for the Scheduled
Castes and Scheduled Tribes as and
when had arisen, was sought to be
filled up, when the candidates were
available. Thus, we hold that the
roster point No. 4 in the vacancy
of the Secretary reserved for the
Scheduled Tribes was valid and
constitutional. When the officer
available and was eligible to be
considered, he was entitled to be
considered in accordance with the
rules and be promoted as Secretary.
The Tribunal, therefore, was not
right in directing that the rule of
rotation to the single post could
not be applied. It is brought to
our notice that the original
promotee died pending the
proceedings and, therefore as and
when vacancy arises as per rule of
rotation as per roster the same
would be filled up in accordance
with law."
Accordingly, we hold that appointment by promotion to the single post of E.C.G. Technician applying 40 point post and rule of rotation, consideration of Smt. Prakash Kaur to the said vacancy is not violative of Articles 14 and 16(1) of the Constitution. The promotion is legal and valid. The Tribunal, there fore, was incorrect in setting aside the promotion of Mrs. Prakash Kaur.
The appeal is accordingly allowed. The order of the Administrative Tribunal stand set aside. The petition stands dismissed. No costs.