Higher civil engineering qualifications satisfy the prescribed ITI civil draftsmanship requirement.

The petitioner was appointed as Road Inspector Grade-II after participating in a written examination and securing first rank. He held a Diploma in Civil Engineering, a Certificate Course in Civil Draftsmanship from Tamil Nadu Government Polytechnic College, Madurai, and a B.Tech. in Civil Engineering.

The Department later cancelled his appointment on the ground that he did not possess the prescribed ITI Certificate in Civil Draftsmanship from a Government-recognised institute. The Single Judge set aside the cancellation and awarded 25% of the monetary benefits. The District Collector and Block Development Officer appealed.

Whether the petitioner’s qualifications satisfied the prescribed requirement of an ITI Certificate in Civil Draftsmanship from a Government-recognised institute

Whether the Department’s cancellation of the petitioner’s appointment was sustainable after it had verified his certificates and appointed him

Whether the petitioner was entitled to monetary benefits for the period he remained out of service

The Court considered the qualification prescribed for the Road Inspector post—an ITI Certificate in Civil Draftsmanship from a Government-recognised institute—although it did not identify the applicable Service Rule by name or citation.

It also applied the principle of “no work, no pay” in determining entitlement to monetary benefits for the period the petitioner was out of service.

The Court found that the petitioner’s Diploma in Civil Engineering, Civil Draftsmanship certificate, and B.Tech. in Civil Engineering were sufficient to meet the prescribed qualification.

It also noted that the Department had verified his certificates, accepted his qualifications, and appointed him before later cancelling the appointment; on these facts, the cancellation lacked merit.

However, because the petitioner had been out of employment, the Court applied “no work, no pay” and set aside the award of 25% monetary benefits.

The direction granting 25% of the monetary benefits was set aside; the respondents were directed to reinstate the petitioner within four weeks.

He was denied salary arrears for the period out of service, but that period was to count towards continuity of service and other service benefits as permitted by the applicable rules.

No costs were awarded, and the connected miscellaneous petition was closed.