STATE OF UTTARANCHAL vs. C.S.R.K.S. MEDICAL HEALTH SERVICE

1 REPORTABLE IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CIVIL APPEAL No.7696 OF 2009 STATE OF UTTARANCHAL & ORS. ......APPELLANTS VERSUS C.S.R.K.S. MEDICAL HEALTH SERVICES, UTTARANCHAL .......RESPONDENT WITH CIVIL APPEAL No.972 OF 2010 CIVIL APPEAL No.974 OF 2010 CIVIL APPEAL No.975 OF 2010 CIVIL APPEAL No.973 OF 2010 J U D G M E N T J.S.KHEHAR, J. 1. Heard learned counsel for the parties. 2. The applications for impleadment are dismissed as no JUDGMENT ground for impleadment is made out. 3. The State of Uttaranchal (now Uttarakhand) is in appeal against a number of orders passed in a bunch of cases on 04.03.2006. The issue which was the subject matter of consideration before the High Court pertains to the criterion for promotion from Group `D' service, to the lowest ranks of ministerial posts in Group `C' service. Even though, various Rules were framed from time to time delineating the manner and method for onward promotion from Group `D' service to the lowest ranks of ministerial posts, Page 1 2 yet we are satisfied, that insofar as the present controversy is concerned, the same would be regulated by the Uttaranchal Government Servants (Criterion for Recruitment by Promotion) Rules, 2004 (hereinafter referred to as the `2004 Rules'). The aforestated Rules were notified on 15.06.2004. Rule 1 of the 2004 Rules reads as under: “1. Short title Commencement and Extent-(1) These rules may be called, the Uttaranchal Government Servants (Criterion for Recruitment by Promotion) Rules, 2004. (2) They shall come into force at once. (3) They shall apply to a recruitment by promotion to a post or service for which no consultation with the Public Service Commission is required on the principles to be followed in making promotions under the Uttaranchal Public Service Commission (Limitation of Functions) Regulations, 2003, as amended from time to time.” 4. A perusal of Sub-rule (3) of Rule 1 explicitly mandates that the 2004 Rules would regulate promotion to such posts with reference to which consultation with the Public Service Commission is not required. It is not a matter of dispute, that the JUDGMENT promotional posts under consideration, do not require consultation with the Public Service Commission, and as such, the 2004 Rules would apply to the promotional avenues under consideration. 5. Rule 2 of the 2004 Rules is also of material relevance. During the course of hearing, learned counsel for the rival parties invited our attention to different Rules framed under Article 309 of the Constitution of India, promulgated in the years 1985, 1994 and 2004 (besides the 2004 Rules). It is, therefore, that Rule 2 of the 2004 Rules assumes significance. The same is being Page 2 3 extracted hereunder: “2. Overriding effect- These rules shall have effect notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other service rules made by the Governor under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution, or Orders, for the time being in force.” A perusal of Rule 2 of the 2004 Rules leaves no room for any doubt, that the 2004 Rules have an overriding effect, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained, in any other Service Rules promulgated under Article 309 of the Constitution of India. Suffice it to state, that all the other Rules brought to our notice, had been notified prior to the Notification of the 2004 Rules (notified on 15.06.2014). Thus viewed, it is imperative for us to conclude, that the 2004 Rules have an overriding effect on the other Rules, to which our attention was invited, during the course of hearing. 6. Insofar as the present controversy is concerned, the same shall have to be determined with reference to Rule 4 of the 2004 JUDGMENT Rules. The above Rule, was also the only Rule relied upon by the High Court, while adjudicating upon the controversy. Rule 4 aforementioned is being reproduced below: “4. Criterion for Recruitment by Promotion- Recruitment by promotion to the post of Head of Department, to a post just one rank below the Head of Department and to a post in any service carrying the pay scale the maximum of which is Rs.18,300 or above shall be made on the basis of merit, and to the rest of the posts in all services to be filled by promotion, including a post where promotion is made from a Non-gazetted post to a Gazetted post or from one service to another service, shall be made on the basis of seniority to the rejection of the unfit.” Page 3 4 7. There can be no doubt whatsoever that inter se merit is inconsequential for promotions under Rule 4 of the 2004 Rules, insofar as promotions from Group `D' service, to the lowest ranks of ministerial posts in Group `C' service, are concerned. This is for the reason because the promotions under reference are neither to the post of Head of Department nor to a post just one rank below the post of Head of Department. It is also not the case of either of the parties that the scale of the posts concerned bring the same out of the purview of Rule 4 of the 2004 Rules. The real mandate of the said Rule is, that for the posts under reference seniority would regulate onward promotion, however, subject to the condition of suitability. Inasmuch as, promotions are to be made on the basis of seniority, subject to the “rejection of the unfit”. It is in the aforesaid background, that we shall determine the validity of two Government Orders. Firstly, the order dated 17.07.2004 was assailed before the High Court, in Special Appeal No.10 of 2006 (arising out JUDGMENT of Writ Petition No.945 of 2004). The aforesaid Government Order dated 17.07.2004, is the subject matter of consideration in Civil Appeal No.975 of 2010. The aforesaid Government Order dated 17.07.2004 is being extracted hereunder: “From Joint Director(Education) Kumaon Division Nainital. To District Education Officer Nainital/Almora/Pithoragarh/Udhamsingh Nagar/Bageshwar/Champawat Letter No.Pra-3/4006-25/04-05 Dated 17.07.04 Page 4 5 Subject: Regarding Promotion of Class-IV Employees (Group-`D’) on the Post of Junior Clerks in Subordinate offices Ministerial Staff Class-III (Group-`C’). Sir, With reference to above, and in pursuance of the instructions issued by the Director of Education, Uttaranchal, Dehradun vide his letter No.Pra-1/5302- 03/04-05 dated 07.06.2004 and letter No.Pra- 1/Pri.Promotion/5496-97/04-05 dated 08.06.2004 and the Government Order No./885/Karmik-02/03 dated 02.09.2003, the Schedule and programme for taking necessary action for promotion of Class-IV employee of your division on the post of Junior Clerk, is being forwarded herewith. You are requested to get the forms duly filled up and submitted by the eligible Class-IV employees of your district so that all the eligible class-IV employees may submit relevant information as per the format. 1. Only those Class-IV employees shall be eligible to apply who have minimum qualification of high school or equivalent and have regularly worked for 5 years in the Education Department and is substantively appointed. 2. The time schedule for holding examination for promotion of Class-IV employees on the post of Junior Clerk is being forwarded herewith to enable you to take further necessary action accordingly. (a) Date of submission of certified copy of the confidential report of the past 5 years submitted before the District Education Officer. 08.08.2004 (b) Date of submission of list (in triplicate) compiled at District Level of the forms received and the Confidential Reports with details After Verification in respect of High School pass Candidates separately In the Office of Joint Director, Education, Kumaon Mandal Office. 14.08.2004 JUDGMENT (C) Date and place to hold examination. 22.08.2004 Government Inter College, Nainital (There will be one question paper in Written Examination with two parts 1 – Hindi Essay, 2. General Knowledge. Each question paper will consist of 15 Marks). Total 30 marks. You are requested to inform to all concerned in your District in all offices/colleges. The notice may be pasted on the notice board to ensure that no eligible employee is deprived of the opportunity of the promotion. The information to be compiled at District Page 5 6 Level should be prepared in A5 paper in the Computer and a floppy may also be forwarded with this information. It may be ensured that while compiling information that serial number of the compiled information and the compiled format are in same seriatum. Sd/- Dan Singh Rautela Joint Director(Education) Kumaon Division, Nainital” 8. The second order, assailed before the High Court was dated 08.11.2004. The same came up for consideration before the High Court in Civil Appeal No.9 of 2006 (arising out of Writ Petition No.78 of 2005). The above Government Order dated 08.11.2004 is being extracted hereunder: “From Additional Director Medical & Health Kumaon Mandal, Nainital. To The Chief Medical Officer/ Chief Medical Superintendent Almora, Pithoragarh, Udhamsingh Nagar/ Nainital/Balaswar/Champawat. JUDGMENT No.E-4/2004/1770-22 dated 8.11.2004. Sub: To provide opportunity to appear in typing test to those candidates who did not appear earlier in the typing test in the written examination conducted for promotion from class IV to the post of junior clerk. Sir, As per direction of Director General, Medical Health and Family Welfare, Uttaranchal, Dehradun vide his letter no.IV category/37/2002/26233 dated 25.10.2004, those class IV employees who appeared in written examination of captioned mentioned promotion and who could not appear in the typing test conducted earlier, are being given another opportunity to appear in typing test. Page 6 7 Therefore, a list of such candidates is enclosed herewith. You are requested to inform intimation to this effect to all those employees mentioned in the said list of your district wherever they are posted that a typing test is being conducted on 4.12.2004 at 11.00 a.m. in the office of Additional Director, Medical Health and Family Welfare, Kumaon Division, Nainital. The concerned candidate should appear at 10.00 a.m. in the concerned division alongwith an identity card or a certificate issued by the Medical Incharge. A notice to this effect may be published in Dainik Jagran and Amar Ujala also so that no candidate is deprived of such opportunity. Sd/- H B Bhatt Additional Director” 9. The High Court while disposing of the bunch of cases on 04.03.2006, set aside both the Government Orders dated 17.07.2004 and 08.11.2004, by holding that they violated the mandate contained in Rule 4 of the 2004 Rules. The question to be determined by us is, whether the mandate of Rule 4 of the 2004 Rules, was indeed breached by the aforestated two Government Orders. 10. In its determination, the High Court was of the view, JUDGMENT that Rule 4 of the 2004 Rules postulates only one criterion for promotion, namely, seniority. And that, seniority was the only relevant factor for determining onward promotion from Group `D’ service to the lowest ministerial posts of Group `C’ service. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the present controversy, we are of the view that the High Court erred in recording the aforesaid determination. Whilst there can be no doubt that Rule 4 postulates seniority as the basis for onward promotion, but the Rule also provides, that promotions would be made subject to the “rejection of the unfit”. If the Government Page 7 8 Orders dated 17.07.2004 and 08.11.2004 were the basis of determining the fitness of concerned employees for onward promotion and for adopting measures for “rejection of the unfit” then the two Government Orders would squarely fall within the purview of Rule 4 of the 2004 Rules. Otherwise, they would be in conflict therewith. 11. We have extracted hereinabove both the Government Orders. We are satisfied that it was the endeavour of the Government to determine fitness of Group `D’ employees, for onward promotion to the lowest rank of ministerial posts in Group `C’ service. We say so because, it is apparent to us, that Group `D’ posts comprise of posts in the nature of Peons, Messengers, Chaukidars, Malis, Farrashes, Sweepers, Watermen, Bhistis, Tindals, Thelamen, Recordfilters, Peon-Jamadars, Daftris, Book-binders, Cyclostyle Operators, Farrash-Jamadars, Sweeper-Jamadars and Head Malis. The nature of duties of the posts referred to hereinabove, are too well-known. Merely because an employee while holding a Group `D’ post has been discharging the duties, of the nature referred to JUDGMENT above, it cannot be presumed that he/she is suitable for onward promotion to a ministerial post. It is, therefore, that while determining the issue of onward promotion to ministerial posts, the State Government issued inter alia the above two Government Orders extracted hereinabove. Thereby, it would be possible to determine the fitness of those who fulfilled the conditions of eligibility for promotion. We are satisfied that the aforesaid two Government Orders squarely fall within the ambit of competence of the appointing authority, to determine the minimum fitness standards postulated under Rule 4 of the 2004 Rules. Page 8 9 12. In view of the above, we are satisfied that the impugned orders passed by the High Court, whereby, the above two Government Orders were quashed, deserve to be set aside. The two Government Orders dated 17.07.2004 and 08.11.2004 are hereby upheld. The instant appeals are accordingly allowed. The impugned orders passed by the High Court are therefore set aside. ...........................J. (JAGDISH SINGH KHEHAR) ...........................J. (ARUN MISHRA) NEW DELHI; OCTOBER 16, 2014. JUDGMENT Page 9 10 JUDGMENT Page 10