This bunch of writ petitions revolve around the same question of law with minor variations in individual facts. Accordingly, as agreed to by the learned counsel for the parties, these writ petitions were ...
No Acts & Articles mentioned in this case
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page1of103
GAHC010015392023
INTHEGAUHATIHIGHCOURT
(HIGHCOURTOFASSAM,NAGALAND,MIZORAM&ARUNACHALPRADESH)
PRINCIPALSEAT
W.P(C)NO.363/2023
RadheswarLangthasa,
S/O-SRIBLANGTHASA,PRESENTWORKINGINTHEPOSTOF
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER,WATERRESOURCESDEPTT,SILCHAR,R/O-
MASCOTRESIDENCY,JATIA,KAHILIPARAROAD,NKHOTEL,PRABHA
PATH,DISPUR,GHY-781006
VERSUS
1.THESTATEOFASSAMREPBYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT
OFASSAM,DISPUR,GHY-781006,ASSAM
2:THEPRINCIPALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVTOFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPTT,SECRETARIAT,DISPUR,GHY-781006,ASSAM
3:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVTOFASSAM
DEPTTOFWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBESANDBACKWARDCLASSES
DISPUR,GHY-781006,ASSAM
4:THESECRETARYTOTHEGOVTOFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPTT,SECRETARIATDISPUR,GHY-781006
5:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPTT,DISPUR,GUWAHATI-781006,ASSAM
6:SECRETARYTOTHEGOVTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPTT,DISPUR,GUWAHATI-781006,ASSAM W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page1of103
GAHC010015392023
INTHEGAUHATIHIGHCOURT
(HIGHCOURTOFASSAM,NAGALAND,MIZORAM&ARUNACHALPRADESH)
PRINCIPALSEAT
W.P(C)NO.363/2023
RadheswarLangthasa,
S/O-SRIBLANGTHASA,PRESENTWORKINGINTHEPOSTOF
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER,WATERRESOURCESDEPTT,SILCHAR,R/O-
MASCOTRESIDENCY,JATIA,KAHILIPARAROAD,NKHOTEL,PRABHA
PATH,DISPUR,GHY-781006
VERSUS
1.THESTATEOFASSAMREPBYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT
OFASSAM,DISPUR,GHY-781006,ASSAM
2:THEPRINCIPALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVTOFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPTT,SECRETARIAT,DISPUR,GHY-781006,ASSAM
3:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVTOFASSAM
DEPTTOFWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBESANDBACKWARDCLASSES
DISPUR,GHY-781006,ASSAM
4:THESECRETARYTOTHEGOVTOFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPTT,SECRETARIATDISPUR,GHY-781006
5:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPTT,DISPUR,GUWAHATI-781006,ASSAM
6:SECRETARYTOTHEGOVTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPTT,DISPUR,GUWAHATI-781006,ASSAM
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page2of103
W.P(C)NO.665/2023
RADHESWARLANGTHASA
SONOFSRIBLANGTHASA
PRESENTLYWORKINGINTHEPOSTOF-SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,SILCHAR,RESIDENTOF-MASCOT
RESIDENCY,JATIA,KAHILIPARAROAD,NKHOTEL,PRABHAPATH
DISPUR,GUWAHATI-781006
VERSUS
1.THESTATEOFASSAM
REPRESENTEDBYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOF
ASSAM,DISPUR,GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM)
2:THEPRINCIPALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPARTMENT,SECRETARIAT,DISPUR,GUWAHATI-
781006(ASSAM)
3:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM,
DEPARTMENTFORTHEWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBESANDBACKWARD
CLASSES(WPTANDBC),DISPUR,GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM).
4:THESECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPARTMENTSECRETARIAT,DISPUR,GUWAHATI-
781006
5:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM,
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,DISPUR,GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM)
6:SECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM)
7:THECHIEFENGINEER
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,GOVT.OFASSAM,CHANDMARI
GUWHATI-781003
8:THECHAIRMANANDMEMBERSOFTHEDPCCOMMITTEEMEETING
HELDON06.2.2023HELDFORPROMOTINGINCUMBENTSFROMTHE
RANKOFSUPERINTENDINGENGINEERTOTHERANKOFADDITIONAL
CHIEFENGINEER
9:THECHIEFENGINEER
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI,GUWAHATI-781003
10:PRABINBHUYANTHROUGHTHEO/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI,GUWAHATI-781003
11:SMTIMANDIRASARMAHTHROUGHTHEO/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI,GUWAHATI-781003
12:BHASKARJYOTISARMAHTHROUGHTHEO/OTHECHIEFENGINEER,
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI.GUWAHATI-781003
13:RAJIBKUMARGOSWAMITHROUGHTHEO/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI,GUWAHATI-781003
14:NAGENDRAKARMAKARTHROUGHTHEO/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI,GUWAHATI-781003
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page3of103
15:NAYANKUMARSAIKIATHROUGHTHEO/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI,GUWAHATI-781003
16:SAMIRANDEKATHROUGHTHEO/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI,GUWAHATI-781003
17:SUBRATANATHTHROUGHTHEO/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI,GUWAHATI-781003
18:ABDULMUNIMMAZUMDARTHROUGHTHEO/OTHECHIEFENGINEER,
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI
GUWAHATI-781003
19:DEBAPRASADBORA,O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER,WATERRESOURCES
DEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI,GUWAHATI-781003
20:JAGADIPANDEY,O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI,GUWAHATI-781003
21:BIPULBHATTACHARYYA,O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI
GUWAHATI-781003
22:BHASKARJYOTIDAS,O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI,GUWAHATI-781003
23:PULAKCHOUDHURY,O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI,GUWAHATI-781003
24:PRATULPATOWARY,O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER,WATERRESOURCES
DEPARTMENT,CHANDMARI,GUWAHATI-781003
W.P(C)NO.1819/2023
SUBRATAKUMARDAS
S/OSRISAMIRANCHANDRADAS
ASSISTANTEXECUTIVEENGINEER
DHEMAJIW.R.SUB-DIVISION,DHEMAJI
ASSAM,R/OSUBACHANIROAD,NEARBANKCOLONY
P.O.ANDDIST-TINSUKIA,PIN-786125,ASSAM
VERSUS
1.THESTATEOFASSAM
REPRESENTEDBYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOF
ASSAM,DISPUR,GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM)
2:THEPRINCIPALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPARTMENT
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM)
3:THEADDLCHIEFSECYTOTHEGOVTOFASSAM
DEPTTOFWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBESANDBACKWARDCLASSES
(WPTANDBC)
DISPUR
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page4of103
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM)
4:THESECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPARTMENT
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
5:THESECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM)
6:THECOMMISSIONERANDSPECIALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENT
OFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM)
7:THEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM)
8:NIKUNJAKUMARSARMA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
9:RAJESHBARUAH(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
10:PRANJITKUMARNATH(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
11:PRATIMGOGOI(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
12:PRANJITBORAH(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
13:DAYANANDABAISHNAB(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
14:KHUMANKALITA(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
15:DINESHBURAGOHAIN(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page5of103
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
16:PRANABJYOTICHETIA(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
17:TILOKCHGOGOI(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
18:MD.IFTIKARHUSSAIN
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
19:MIRJUMLAAHMED
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
20:SHAMIMAKHTARLASKAR
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
21:NAYANJYOTIGOSWAMI
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
22:SHAHEEDUZZAMAN
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
23:SANTANUKUMARSARMA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
24:KAMALSARMA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
25:RAMESHCHANDRAKALITA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
26:SYEDSAJIDAHMED
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
27:CHANDANKUMARNATH(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
28:HIMANGSHUDEKA(OBC)
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page6of103
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
29:JIBANBEZBARUAH
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
30:SURAJITBHARALI(MOBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
31:DIGANTASAIKA(MOBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
32:RAHMATALIAHMED
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
33:KAMALADUTTA(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
34:MUKULBORA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
35:SANJOYBURAGOHAIN(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
36:MONOJBHATTACHARYAA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
37:BHARATBHUSANSARMA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
38:BABULRAJBONGSHI(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
39:JAYANTAKUMARBORPUJARI
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
40:BAHARULISLAMLASKAR
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page7of103
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
41:PURNENDUCHANDA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
42:MD.ARPHANURRAHMAN
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
43:KHANINDRAKALITA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
44:JAHURUDDINAHMED(MOBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
45:BAHARULISLAMCHOUDHURY
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
46:PARBINKUMARSAIKIA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
47:HARISHCH.BORUAH(MOBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
48:ABANEEGOGOI(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
49:GANESHKALITA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
50:ABHOYKUMARDEKA(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
51:UTPALHAZARIKA(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
52:SANTANUKUMARBORAH
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
53:MD.ASADHUSSAIN
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page8of103
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
54:MD.NURULISLAM(OBC)
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
W.P(C)NO.828/2023
DIPADAS
D/O-SRIPRABHATCH.DAS
R/O-AMBIKAGIRINAGAR
1STBYELANE
HOUSENO.1
GUWAHATI-781024
ASSAM
VERSUS
THESTATEOFASSAMAND22ORS.
REP.BYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DISPUR
GHY-06(ASSAM)
2:THEPRINCIPALSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAMPERSONNEL(B)DEPTT.
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR
GHY-06(ASSAM)
3:THADDL.CHIEFSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAMDEPTT.FORTHEWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBES
ANDBACKWARDCLASSES(WPTANDBC)
DISPUR
GHY-06(ASSAM)
4:THESECRETARY
GOVT.OFASSAMPERSONNEL(A)DEPTT.
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR
GHY-06
5:PRANABKUMARSHARMA
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASADDL.SECRETARY
WOMENANDCHILDDEVELOPMENTDEPTT.
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
6:MONDIPASHARMABORKATAKY
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASADDL.SECRETARY
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page9of103
CULTURALAFFAIRSDEPTT.ANDMD
ASSAMSTATEFILMFINANCEANDDEVELOPMENTCORPORATION
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
7:GITIMONIPHUKAN
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASDY.COMMISSIONER
DCCOURTCOMPLEX
NALBARIMAINROAD
NALBARI-781335
ASSAM
8:FARIDASAMSUL
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASDIRECTOR
CHARAREASDEVANDDIRECTOR
MINORITIESDEVELOPMENTBOARD
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
9:JURIGOGOI
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASADDL.SECRETARY
PENSIONANDPUBLICGRIEVANCEDEPTT.
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
10:TEJPRASADBHUSAL
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASADDL.SECRETARY
AGRICULTURE
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
11:MANASNATH
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASADDL.SECRETARY
MEDICALEDUCATIONANDRESEARCH
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
12:ASHIMKUMARBHATTACHARYA
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASADDL.SECRETARY
HOMEANDPOLITICALDEPTT.
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
13:DEBESWARBORA
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASCOMMISSIONERFORPERSONWITH
DISABILITIES
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
14:PALLABIPHUKAN
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASDY.COMMISSIONER
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page10of103
OFFICEOFTHEDY.COMMISSIONERRAMNAGAR
DHEMAJI-787057
ASSAM
15:MAYURICHETIA
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASADDL.SECRETARY
FINANCEDEPTT.
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
16:PALASHRANJANGHARPHALIA
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASADDL.SECRETARY
PERSONNEL
ARANDTRAININGDEPTT.
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
17:SANTANACHETIA
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASADDL.SECRETARY
PARLIAMENTARYANDSECONDARYEDUCATIONDEPTT.
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
18:DIPSHIKHADEY
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASADDL.SECRETARY
AGRICULTUREDEPTT.
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
19:PAULBARUA
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASDY.COMMISSIONER
DCOFFICE
COURTROAD
SONARI
ASSAM-785690
20:PRAJNYASAHARIA
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASADDL.SECRETARY
ELEMENTARYEDUCATIONDEPTT.
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
21:MANABENDRAMEDHI
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASADDL.SECRETARY
SOCIALJUSTICEANDEMPOWERMENTDEPTT.
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
22:MADHUSUDANNATH
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASADDL.SECRETARY
HIGHEREDUCATIONDEPTT.
SECRETARIAT
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page11of103
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
23:BISHNUKAMALBORAH
PRESENTLYPOSTEDASADDL.SECRETARYANDDIRECTOR
INFORMATIONANDPUBLICRELATIONSDEPTT.
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR-781006
ASSAM
W.P(C)NO.1165/2023
PRANABKUMARRABHA
S/O-LATEPABITRAKUMARRABHA
EXECUTIVEENGINEER
PWD
DISPURTERRITORIALROADDIVISION
GUWAHATI-781021
R/O-NABURUNPATH
JATIA
DISPUR
PIN-781006
ASSAM
VERSUS
THESTATEOFASSAMAND6ORS
REPRESENTEDBYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
2:THEPRINCIPALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPARTMENT
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
3:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DEPARTMENTFORTHEWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBESANDBACKWARD
CLASSES(WPTANDBC)
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
4:THESECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPARTMENT
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006.
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page12of103
5:THESECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PUBLICROADSDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
6:THECOMMISSIONERANDSPECIALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OF
ASSAM
PUBLICWORKSDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
7:THEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENT
CONFIDENTIALCELL
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
W.P(C)NO.3094/2021
BIKASHCHPANGGING
S/ONOMALCHPANGGING
EXECUTIVEENGINEER
PWD
DIBRUGARHLAHOWALMORANANDTINGKHONGTERRITORIALROAD
DIVISION
DIBRUGARH
RESIDENTOFCHOWKIDINGHEE
DIBRUGARH
786003
ASSAM
VERSUS
THESTATEOFASSAMAND21ORS
REPRESENTEDBYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006
ASSAM
2:THECOMMISSIONERANDSPECIALSECRETRAYTOTHEGOVT.OF
ASSAM
PWD(R)MDISPUR
GUWAHATI06
3:THESECRETARY
PWD
GOVT.OFASSAM
DISPURGUWAHATI06
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page13of103
4:THECOMMISSIONERANDSPECIALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OF
ASSAM
PUBLICWORKS(BUILDINGANDNH)DEPT.DISPUR
GUWAHATI06
5:THEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PUBLICWORKSROADDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006
6:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DEPARTMENTOFWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBESANDBACKWARDCLASSES
(WPTANDBC)
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006
7:THECOMMISSIONERANDSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006
8:THECHAIRPERSONANDMEMBERS
OFTHEDPCMEETINGHELDON29.05.2021FORPROMOTIONTOTHE
RANKOFSUPT.ENGINEER
UNDERTHEPWD
GOVT.OFASSAMTOBESERVEDUPONTHESECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.
OFASSAM
PWD(ROADS
BUILDINGANDNH)
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006
9:SRIJEWELTIMUNG(STH)
DIPHUCIRCLEI
PWDRDIPHU
10:SRIAJITSINAR(ST(H)
HAMRENCIRCLE
HAMREN
11:SRIDILIPKUMARSARMA-I
DIBRUGARHROADCIRLCE
PWRD
12:SRINAGENDRAKALITA
SILCHARBUILDINGCIRCLE
PWD(BANDNH)
13:SRIDHANESHCH.DAS
TINSUKIAROADCIRCLE
PWRD
TINSUKIA
14:SRIINDRAJITGOGOI
DIBRUGARHNHCIRCLE
PWD(BANDNH)
DIBRUGARH
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page14of103
15:SRIPRANABTAHBILDER
TEZPURNHCIRCLE
PWD(BANDNH)TEZPUR
16:SRIRATULKR.BEZ
GUWAHATINECCIRCLE
PWDRGUWAHATI
17:SRIPRAHLADCHKAKATI
ARIASPCIRCLE
PWRD
GUWAHATI
18:SRIBIPULDUTTA
JORHATROADCIRCLE
PWRD
19:SRIATULCHBAISHYA
BARPETAROADCIRLCE
PWRDBARPETA
20:SRISANTOSHTAMULY
HAFLONGNECCIRCLE
HAFLONG
21:SRIBHUDEBSARMA
O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER(EAP)PWRD
22:SRIARUNKR.PHUKAN
O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
BUILDING
PWD(BANDNH)RES.9TO22AREPRIVATERES.UNDERTHEPUBLIC
WORKSROADDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVEDTHROUGH
RESPONDENTNO.5
W.P(C)NO.677/2023
BIDURBORGOYARI
S/O-LT.MANIKCHANDBORGOARI
EXECUTIVEENGINEER
PWDNAGAON
BARHAMPURANDRUPOHIHUTDIVISION
NAGAON
R/O-BIPUNIDHINIWAS
BORBARI
ALOKPURPATH
VIPROAD
GUWAHATI-781036
(ASSAM).
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page15of103
VERSUS
THESTATEOFASSAMAND6ORS
REP.BYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM).
2:THEPRINCIPALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPARTMENT
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM).
3:THEADDL.CHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DEPARTMENTFORTHEWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBESANDB.C
(WPTANDBC)
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM).
4:THESECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPARTMENT
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
(ASSAM).
5:THESECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM).
6:THECOMMISSIONERANDSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM).
7:THEDY.SECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENT
CONFIDENTIALCELL
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM).
W.P(C)NO.3096/2021
BIDURBORGAYAR
S/OLATEMANIKCH.BORGAYARI
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page16of103
EXECUTIVEENGINEER
PWD
HOJAIDISTRICTTERRITORIALROADDIVISION
HOJAI
RESIDENTOFALOKPURPATH
BORBARI
VIPROAD
DISPUR
781036.ASSAM
VERSUS
THESTATEOFASSAMAND22ORS
REPRESENTEDBYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006
ASSAM
2:THECOMMISSIONERANDSPECIALSECRETRAYTOTHEGOVT.OF
ASSAM
PWD(R)MDISPUR
GUWAHATI06
3:THESECRETARY
PWD
GOVT.OFASSAM
DISPURGUWAHATI06
4:THECOMMISSIONERANDSPECIALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OF
ASSAM
PUBLICWORKS(BUILDINGANDNH)DEPT.DISPUR
GUWAHATI06
5:THEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PUBLICWORKSROADDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006
6:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DEPARTMENTOFWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBESANDBACKWARDCLASSES
(WPTANDBC)
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006
7:THECOMMISSIONERANDSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006
8:THECHAIRPERSONANDMEMBERS
OFTHEDPCMEETINGHELDON29.05.2021FORPROMOTIONTOTHE
RANKOFSUPT.ENGINEER
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page17of103
UNDERTHEPWD
GOVT.OFASSAMTOBESERVEDUPONTHESECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.
OFASSAM
PWD(ROADS
BUILDINGANDNH)
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006
9:SRIJEWELTIMUNG(STH)
DIPHUCIRCLEI
PWDRDIPHU
10:SRIAJITSINAR(ST(H)
HAMRENCIRCLE
HAMREN
11:SRIDILIPKUMARSARMA-I
DIBRUGARHROADCIRLCE
PWRD
12:SRINAGENDRAKALITA
SILCHARBUILDINGCIRCLE
PWD(BANDNH)
13:SRIDHANESHCH.DAS
TINSUKIAROADCIRCLE
PWRD
TINSUKIA
14:SRIINDRAJITGOGOI
DIBRUGARHNHCIRCLE
PWD(BANDNH)
DIBRUGARH
15:SRIPRANABTAHBILDER
TEZPURNHCIRCLE
PWD(BANDNH)TEZPUR
16:SRIRATULKR.BEZ
GUWAHATINECCIRCLE
PWDRGUWAHATI
17:SRIPRAHLADCHKAKATI
ARIASPCIRCLE
PWRD
GUWAHATI
18:SRIBIPULDUTTA
JORHATROADCIRCLE
PWRD
19:SRIATULCHBAISHYA
BARPETAROADCIRLCE
PWRDBARPETA
20:SRISANTOSHTAMULY
HAFLONGNECCIRCLE
HAFLONG
21:SRIBHUDEBSARMA
O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER(EAP)PWRD
22:SRIARUNKR.PHUKAN
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page18of103
O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
BUILDING
PWD(BANDNH)RES.9TO22AREPRIVATERES.UNDERTHEPUBLIC
WORKSROADDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVEDTHROUGH
RESPONDENTNO.5
W.P(C)NO.3482/2020
TABURAMPEGUAND2ORS.
S/OLT.KHAGESWARPEGU
ADDITIONALSUPERINTENDENTOFPOLICE
2
I/C6ABNNKATHAL
SILCHAR
DIST.CACHAR
PIN-788005
ASSAM
2:AMITABHBASUMATARAY
APS
S/OLT.AMRITLALBASUMATARY
R/OGOSSAIGAON
WARDNO.4
DIST.KOKRAJHAR
PIN-783360
BTAD
ASSAM
3:PANKAJKUMARKAKATI
APS
S/OSATYANATHKAKATI
R/OTOWNRAHA
WARDNO.2
DIST.NAGAON
ASSAM-782103
VERSUS
THESTATEOFASSAMAND8ORS.
REP.BYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
2:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
HOMEANDPOLITICALDEPTT.GOVT.OFASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
3:THEPRINCIPALSECRETARY
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page19of103
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
HOMEANDPOLITICALDEPTT.DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
4:THESECRETARY
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
HOMEANDPOLITICALDEPTT.DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
5:THEDIRECTORGENERALOFPOLICE
ASSAM
ASSAMPOLICEHEADQUARTERS
ULUBARI
GUWAHATI-781001
ASSAM
6:THEADDITIONALDIRECTORGENERALOFPOLICEADMINISTRATION
ASSAMPOLICEHEADQUARTERS
ULUBARI
GUWAHATI-781001
ASSAM
7:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DEPTT.FORWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBESANDBACKWARDCLASSES(WPT
ANDBC)
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
8:THECOMMISSIONERANDSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPTT.DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
9:THEJUDICIALREMEMBRANCERANDSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
JUDICIALDEPTT.JUDICIALBRANCH
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
W.P(C)NO.1309/2022
PRANABKUMARRABHA
SONOFLT.PABITRAKUMARRABHA
EXECUTIVEENGINEER
PWD
DISPURTERRITORIALROADDIVISION
GUWAHATI-781021.
RESIDENTOFNABARUNPATH
JATIA
DISPURPIN-781006
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page20of103
ASSAM.
VERSUS
THESTATEOFASSAMAND32ORS.
REPRESENTEDBYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOF
ASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM).
2:THECOMMISSIONERANDSPECIALSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
PUBLICWORKROADSDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM).
3:THESECRETARY
PUBLICWORKSDEPARTMENT
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006.
4:THECOMMISSIONERANDSPECIALSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
PUBLICWORKS(BUILDINGANDNH)DEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI6.
5:THEDEPUTYSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
PUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006.
6:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
DEPARTMENTFORTHEWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBESANDBACKWARD
CLASSES(WPTANDBC)
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM).
7:THECOMMISSIONERANDSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006.
8:THECHAIRPERSONANDMEMBERS
OFTHEDPCMEETINGHELDON29.5.2021FORPROMOTIONTOTHE
RANKOFSUPERINTENDINGENGINEERUNDERTHEPUBLICWORKS
DEPARTMENT
GOVT.OFASSAM
TOBESERVEDUPONTHECOMMISSIONERANDSPECIALSECRETARYTO
THEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
PUBLICWORKS(ROADS
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page21of103
BUILDINGANDNH)DEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006.
9:SAILADIPDAS
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWD(BANDNH)
GUWAHATIBUILDINGCIRCLE-II
CHANDMARI
GUWAHATI-781003.
10:ARUNCHGOSWAMI
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWD(BANDNH)
JORHATBUILDINGCIRCLE
JORHAT785007.
11:JEWELTIMUNG(STH)
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWRD
DIPHUCIRCLE-I
DIPHU
KARBI-ANGLONG782462.
12:SALEHAHMEDCHOUDHURY
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWD(BANDNH)
GUWAHATIBUILDINGCIRCLE-I
PANBAZAR
GUWAHATI-781001.
13:ROMIZUDDINAHMED
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
HAFLONG(RANDB)CIRCLE
HAFLONG
DIMAHASAO788819.
14:PRADIPSARMA
DEPUTYSECRETARY(ESTABLISHMENT)PWD(BANDNH)
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006.
15:MAHENDRAKUMARSAIKIA
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWRD
GOLAGHATROADCIRCLE
C/O-OFFICEOFTHEEXECUTIVEENGINEER
PWD
GOLAGHATANDKHOMTAITERRITORIALROADDIVISION
GOLAGHAT-785621.
16:KISHORKR.TALUKDAR
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWD(BANDNH)
NALBARINHCIRCLE
NALBARI-781335.
17:BALWANTSINGH
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page22of103
DEPUTYSECRETARY(MATERIALS)PWRD
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006.
18:DILIPKR.SAIKIA
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWRD
IBRC
O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
PWRD(ROADS)
CHANDMARI
GUWAHATI781003.
19:AJITSINAR(STH)
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWRD
HAMRENCIRCLE
HAMREN
KARBI-ANGLONG782462.
20:KAJALBAYAN
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWRD
PLANNING
O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
PWRD(ROADS)
CHANDMARI
GUWAHATI781003
21:BIJOYBHUSHANSAIKIA
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWRD
MANGOLDOIROADCIRCLE
MANGOLDOI784125
22:MRIDULTALUKDAR
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWRD
MANGOLDOIROADCIRCLE
MANGOLDOI784125.
23:DEBAKUMARLAHKAR
DEPUTYSECRETARY(BUDGET)PWD(BANDNH)
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006.
24:DILIPKUMARSARMA-1
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWRD
DIBRUGARHROADCIRCLE
DIBRUGARH786001.
25:NAGENDRAKALITA
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWD(BANDNH)
SILCHARBUILDINGCIRCLE
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page23of103
SILCHAR788001
26:DHANESHCH.DAS
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWRD
TINSUKIAROADCIRCLE
C/OOFFICEOFTHEEXECUTIVEENGINEER
PWRD
TINSUKIA
DOOMDOOMAANDSADIYATERRITORIALROADDIVISION
TINSUKIA-786192.
27:INDRAJITGOGOI
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWD(BANDNH)
DIBRUGARHNHCIRCLE
DIBRUGARH786001
28:PRANABTAHBILDER
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWD(BANDNH)
TEZPURNHCIRCLE
TEZPUR-784001
29:RATULKR.BEZ
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWRD(ROADS)
GUWAHATINECCIRCLE
PANBAZAR
GUWAHATI781001.
30:BIPULDUTTA
JORHATROADCIRCLE
PWRD.SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWRD
JORHATROADCIRCLE
JORHAT-785007
31:ATULCH.BAISHYA
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWRD
BARPETAROADCIRCLE
C/OOFFICEOFTHEBARPETA
BHAGHBARANDCHENGATERRITORIALROADDIVISION
BARPETA-781310
32:SANTOSHTAMULY
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWRD
HAFLONGNECCIRCLE
HAFLONG-788819.
33:BHUDEBSARMA
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(C)
PWRD
GUWAHATIRIDF-IICIRCLE
O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
PWRD(ROADS)
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page24of103
CHANDMARI
GUWAHATI781003.
W.P(C)NO.1121/2023
BIKASHC.PANGGING
S/ONOMALCH.PANGGINGEXECUTIVEENGINEERPWDDIBRUGARH
LAHOWALMORANANDTINGKHONGTERRITORIALROADDIVISION
DIBRUGARHR/OCHOWKIDINGHEEDIBRUGARHPIN786003ASSAM
VERSUS
THESTATEOFASSAMAND6ORS.
REP.BYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAMDISPUR
GUWAHATI6ASSAM
2:THEPRINCIPALSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAMPERSONNEL(B)DEPTT.SECRETARIATDISPUR
GUWAHAI6ASSAM
3:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAMDEPTT.FORTHEWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBES
ANDBACKWARDCLASSES(WPTANDBC)DISPURGUWAHATI781006
ASSAM
4:THESECRETARY
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAMPERSONNEL(B)DEPTT.SECRETARIATDISPUR
GUWAHATI6
5:THESECRETARY
TOTHEGOVTOFASSAMPUBLICWORKSROADDEPTT.DISPUR
GUWAHATI6ASSAM
6:THECOMMISSIONERANDSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PUBLICWORKSDEPTT.DISPURGUWAHATI6ASSAM
7:THEDEPUTYSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PUBLICWORKSDEPTT.DISPURGUWAHATI6ASSAM
W.P(C)NO.3095/2021
PRANABKUMARRABHA
S/OLATEPABITRAKUMARRABHA
EXECUTIVEENGINEER
PWD
DISPURTERRITORIALROADDIVISION
GUWAHATI781021
RESIDENTOFNABARUNPATH
JATIA
DISPUR
ASSAM781006
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page25of103
VERSUS
THESTATEOFASSAMAND35ORS
REPRESENTEDBYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006
ASSAM
2:THECOMMISSIONERANDSPECIALSECRETRAYTOTHEGOVT.OF
ASSAM
PWD(R)MDISPUR
GUWAHATI06
3:THESECRETARY
PWD
GOVT.OFASSAM
DISPURGUWAHATI06
4:THECOMMISSIONERANDSPECIALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OF
ASSAM
PUBLICWORKS(BUILDINGANDNH)DEPT.DISPUR
GUWAHATI06
5:THEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PUBLICWORKSROADDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006
6:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DEPARTMENTOFWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBESANDBACKWARDCLASSES
(WPTANDBC)
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006
7:THECOMMISSIONERANDSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006
8:THECHAIRPERSONANDMEMBERS
OFTHEDPCMEETINGHELDON29.05.2021FORPROMOTIONTOTHE
RANKOFSUPT.ENGINEER
UNDERTHEPWD
GOVT.OFASSAMTOBESERVEDUPONTHESECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.
OFASSAM
PWD(ROADS
BUILDINGANDNH)
DISPUR
GUWAHATI781006
9:SRISAILADIPDAS
GUWAHATIBUILDINGCIRLCEII
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page26of103
PWD(BANDNH)GUWAHATI
10:SRIARUNCHGOSWAMI
JORHATBUILDINGCIRCLE
PWD(BANDNH)JORHAT
11:SRIJEWELTIMUNG(ST(H)
DIPHUCIRCLEI
PWDRDIPHU
12:SRISALEHAHMEDCHOUDHURY
GUWAHATIBUILDINGCIRCLEI
PWDPWD(BANDNH)
GUWAHATI
13:SRIROMIZUDDINAHMED
HAFLONGRANDBCIRCLEDIMAHASAO
14:SRIPRADIPSARMA
DEPUTYSECRETARY(ESTABLISHMENT)
PWD(BANDNH)
15:SRINEKIBURRAHMANSAIKIA
NECROADCELL
PWRD
16:SRIMAHENDRAKUMARSAIKIA
GOLAGHATROADCIRCLE
PWDR
GOLAGHAT
17:SRIKISHORKR.TALUKDAR
NALBARINHCIRCLE
PWD(BANDNH)
18:SRIBALWANTSINGH
DEPUTYSECRETARYMATERIALSPWRD
19:SRIDILIPKR.SAIKIA
IBRC
O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER(ROAD)PWDR
20:SRIAJITSINAR(ST(H)
HAMRENCIRCLE
HAMREN
21:SRIKAJALBAYAN
O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER(ROADS)PWRD
22:SRIBIJOYBHUSHANSAIKIA
MANGALDAIROAD
CIRCLE
PWRD
23:SRIMRIDULTALUKDAR
NORMALO/OTHECHIEFENGINEER(BUILDING)PWD(BANDNH)
24:SRIDEBAKUMARLAHKAR
DEPUTYSECRETARY(BUDGET)PWRD
25:SRIDILIPKUMARSARMA-I
DIBRUGARHROADCIRLCE
PWRD
26:SRINAGENDRAKALITA
SILCHARBUILDINGCIRCLE
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page27of103
PWD(BANDNH)
27:SRIDHANESHCH.DAS
TINSUKIAROADCIRCLE
PWRD
TINSUKIA
28:SRIINDRAJITGOGOI
DIBRUGARHNHCIRCLE
PWD(BANDNH)
DIBRUGARH
29:SRIPRANABTAHBILDER
TEZPURNHCIRCLE
PWD(BANDNH)TEZPUR
30:SRIRATULKR.BEZ
GUWAHATINECCIRCLE
PWDRGUWAHATI
31:SRIPRAHLADCHKAKATI
ARIASPCIRCLE
PWRD
GUWAHATI
32:SRIBIPULDUTTA
JORHATROADCIRCLE
PWRD
33:SRIATULCHBAISHYA
BARPETAROADCIRLCE
PWRDBARPETA
34:SRISANTOSHTAMULY
HAFLONGNECCIRCLE
HAFLONG
35:SRIBHUDEBSARMA
O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER(EAP)PWRD
36:SRIARUNKR.PHUKAN
O/OTHECHIEFENGINEER
BUILDING
PWD(BANDNH)
RES.9TO36AREPRIVATERES.UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROAD
DEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVEDTHROUGHRESPONDENTNO.5
W.P(C)NO.1804/2023
BHAGAWANPATAR
S/O-LATEAMALCH.PATAR
ASSISTANTEXECUTIVEENGINEER
TEZPURW.R.SUB-DIVISIONTEZPUR
R/O-ANGEMANADAGIO
3C
KONAKLATAPATH
SURVEY
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page28of103
GUWAHATI-781006
KAMRUP(M)
ASSAM
VERSUS
THESTATEOFASSAMAND27ORS
REPRESENTEDBYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOF
ASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
2:THEPRINCIPALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPARTMENT
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
3:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DEPARTMENTFORTHEWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBESANDBACKWARD
CLASSES(WPTANDBC)
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
4:THESECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPARTMENT
SECRETARIAT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006.
5:THESECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
6:THECOMMISSIONERANDSPECIALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OF
ASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
7:THEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
8:JAYANTAKUMARBORPUJARI
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page29of103
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
9:BAHARULISLAMLASKAR
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
10:PURNENDUCHANDA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
11:MD.ARPHANURRAHMAN
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
12:KHANINDRAKALITA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
13:JAHURUDDINAHMED
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
14:BAHARULISLAMCHOUDHURY
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
15:PRABINKUMARSAIKIA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
16:HARISHCH.BARMAN
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
17:ABANEEGOGOI
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
18:GANESHKALITA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
19:ABHOYKUMARDEKA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
20:UTPALHAZARIKA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
21:SHANTANUKUMARBORAH
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page30of103
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
22:MD.ASADHUSSAIN
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
23:MD.NURULISLAM
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
24:MD.JURANALIAHMED
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
25:BISWAJITSINHA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
26:ANJALICHOUDHURY
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
27:RAJEEVANANDABORGOHAIN
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
28:JIBANKANTACHANDA
TOBESERVEDTHROUGHTHEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHE
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
WATERRESOURCESDEPARTMENT.
W.P(C)NO.1567/2022
BIKASHCH.PANGGING
S/ONOMALCHPANGGING
EXECUTIVEENGINEER
PWD
DIBRUGARHLAHOWALMORANANDTINGKHONGTERRITORIALROAD
DIVISION
DIBRUGARH
R/OCHOWKIDINGHEE
DIBRUGARH
PIN-786003
ASSAM
VERSUS
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page31of103
THESTATEOFASSAMAND28ORS.
REPRESENTEDBYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOF
ASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM)
2:THECOMMISSIONERANDSPECIALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENT
OFASSAM
PUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM)
3:THESECRETARY
PUBLICWORKSDEPARTMENT
GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
4:THECOMMISSIONERANDSPECIALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVTOF
ASSAM
PUBLICWORKS(BUILDINGANDNH)DEPTT.
DISPUR
GUWHAATI-781006
5:THEDEPUTYSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PUBLICWORKSROADSDEPTT.
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
6:THEADDITIONALCHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
DEPARTMENTFORTHEWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBESANDBACKWARD
CLASSES(WPTANDBC)
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006(ASSAM)
7:THECOMMISSIONERANDSECRETARYTOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPTT
DISPUR
GUWHAATI-781006
8:THECHAIRPERSONANDMEMBERSOFTHEDPCMEETING
HELDON28.9.2021FORPROMOTIONTOTHERANKOF
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEERUNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSDEPARTMENT
GOVT.OFASSAM
TOBESERVEDUPONTHECOMMISSIONERANDSPECIALSECRETARYTO
THEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
PUBLICWORKS(ROADS
BUILDINGANDNH)DEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
9:SANTOSHKUMARROY
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
10:WAZIDHUSSAIN
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page32of103
11:NIRUPAMBORTHAKUR
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
12:SAIFULISLAM
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
13:SANJIBKR.BHATTACHARJEE
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
14:BIKASHSINGHA
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
15:DILIPKRDAS
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
16:MISSMADHUMITADEY
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
17:SMTIMITALICHOUDHURY
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
18:AKLASURRAHMANBORBHUYAN
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
19:PRATIMBARUA
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
20:ANANDPRASADSARMA
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
21:JOGENDRADAS
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
22:MD.NURULISLAM
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
23:DWIJENPATGIRI
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
24:RATHINDRABIJOYCHAKRABORTY
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
25:ANUPAMKHARGHARIA
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
26:KALYANKRSARMA
UNDERTHEPUBLICWORKSROADSDEPARTMENTANDMAYBESERVED
THROUGHNO.4ABOVE
27:JAGAMOHANBASUMATARY
S/OLT.RUPENDRABASUMATARY
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page33of103
EXECUTIVEENGINEER
SOUTHSALMARADISTRICTTERRITORIALROADDIVISION
MANKACHAR
DIST-SOUHSALMARA
ASSAM-783131.
28:BIDURBORGAYARI
S/OLATEMANIKCHANDRABORGAYARI
R/OBIPUNIDHINIWAS
ALOKPURPATH
BORBARI
VIPROAD
GHY-781036.
29:HEMANTADEWRIBHARALI
S/OLATEBISWAKANTADEWRIBHARALI
R/OHOUSENO.6
NAVODAYNAGARPATH
GHY-781028.
W.P(C)NO.545/2023
PRAVIRKAKATI
S/O-LATESIBACHANDRAKAKATI
R/O-SAGARIKAPATH
P.O-ZOOROAD
P.S-GITANAGAR
GUWAHATI-24
DIST-KAMRUP(M)
ASSAM
VERSUS
THESTATEOFASSAMANDORS.
REPRESENTEDBYTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOF
ASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
2:THEPRINCIPALSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
PERSONNEL(B)DEPARTMENT
SECRETARIATDISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
3:THEADDL.CHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
DEPARTMENTFORTHEWELFAREOFPLAINTRIBESANDBACKWARD
CLASSES(WPTANDBC)
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page34of103
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
4:THESELECTIONBOARD
REPBYITSCHAIRMANTHECHIEFSECRETARYTOTHEGOVERNMENTOF
ASSAMFORDPCSELECTIONANDPROMOTIONTOPOSTOF
COMMISSIONERANDSECRETARYGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
5:THESECRETARY
TOTHEGOVERNMENTOFASSAM
PERSONNEL(A)DEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
6:KAMALKUMARBAISHYA
ACS
COMMISSIONERANDSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
EXCISEDEPARTMENT
ANDSECRETARY
ASSAMHUMANRIGHTSCOMMISSION
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-6.
7:FAROUKALAM
ACS
COMMISSIONERANDSECRETARY
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
SPORTSANDYOUTHWELFAREDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-6.
8:DHRUBAJYOTIDAS
ACS
COMMISSIONERANDSECRETARY(ACSCADRE)
TOTHEGOVT.OFASSAM
MEDICALEDUCATIONANDRESEARCHDEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-6.
9:SRIRANJANSARMA
AGEDABOUT58YEARS
SONOFLATEPRATULSARMA
RESIDENTOFMATHURANAGAR
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page35of103
–BEFORE–
HON’BLEMR.JUSTICESOUMITRASAIKIA
Advocateforthepetitioners :Mr.D.K.Das,Mr.H.BetalaAdvocates
Advocatefortherespondents:Mr.D.Mazumder,Sr.AdvocateandAddl.A.G
assistedbyMr.R.Dhar,Addl.Sr.Government
Advocate
Mr.K.N.Choudhury,Sr.Counselassistedby
Mr.N.Gautam,Advocate
Mr.P.Nayak,StandingCounsel,PWD
Mr.IChowdhury,Sr.Advocateassistedby
Mr.S.Biswakarma,Advocate
DatesofHearing :19.12.2023,09.01.2024,11.01.2024,
23.01.2024,01.02.2024,20.02.2024,
27.02.2024&05.03.2024
DateofJudgment&Order: :04.06.2024
JUDGMENTANDORDER(CAV)
Thisbunchofwritpetitionsrevolvearoundthesamequestion
oflawwithminorvariationsinindividualfacts.Accordingly,as
agreedtobythelearnedcounselfortheparties,thesewrit
petitionswereclubbedtobeheardanddisposedoftogether.
Thesematterswereheardon19.12.2023,09.01.2024,
11.01.2024,23.01.2024,01.02.2024,20.02.2024,27.02.2024&
05.03.2024andaccordingly,aredisposedofbythiscommon
JudgmentandOrder.
2.Inallthesewritpetitions,theOfficeMemorandumdated
18.01.2023issuedhasbeenputtochallenge.Thewritpetitioners
alongwiththevariousreservedcategoriesnamelyST(H)and
ST(P)urgedthatclauses(iii)&(iv)oftheimpugnedOMdated
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page36of103
18.01.2023arecontrarytolawasthesameareviolativeofand
runscountertotheJudgmentandOrderdated06.06.2022
passedbyaCo-ordinateBenchinBhagawanPatorVs.Stateof
Assam&Ors[W.P.(C)No.5005/2016]aswellasIvyGohain
DasguptaVs.BhagawanPator&Ors.(W.A.No.46/2023).
3.Mr.D.K.Das,learnedcounselforthewritpetitionerswould
addressthisCourtasacounselforthewritpetitionersthatthe
questionsoflawandtheissuesraisedaresimilarinallthese
bunchofwritpetitionsbarringcertainfactualdetails.Mr.Dashas
submittedthatW.P.(C)No.363/2023wouldbethecaseonwhich
hewouldliketobasehisargumentsupon.Accordingly,W.P(C)
No.363/2023istakenupasaleadcase.
4.Beforethedetailedargumentsarereferredto,itis
necessarytostatethatthedisputebetweenthepartiesariseas
thewritpetitionersclaimthattheirrightswhichflowoutofArticle
16(4A)oftheConstitutionofIndiahavebeendeniedtothem.
UnderthesaidArticle,theStateisempoweredtomakeany
provisionsforreservationsinmattersofpromotiontoanyclassor
classesofpostsintheservicesundertheStateinfavourofthe
ScheduledCastesandScheduledTribes,whichareintheopinion
oftheState,notadequatelyrepresentedinanyservicesunderthe
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page37of103
Stateandthereforebywayoftheamendment,Article16(4A)
wasbroughtintotheConstitutionpowertodealwithsuch
matterswasconferredontheStateformakingadequate
provisionsforreservationinpromotionwithconsequential
seniority.
5.TheStateLegislaturehadenactedtheAssamScheduled
CastesandScheduledTribes(ReservationofVacanciesinServices
andPosts)Act,1978(inshort‘theActof1978’)withthepurpose
toprovideforreservationofvacanciesinservicesandpostsfor
themembersofScheduledCastsandScheduledTribes.Section5
oftheActof1978specifiesthepercentageforreservationfor
membersoftheSTandSCcommunity.TheJudgmentofthe
ApexCourtinIndraSawhanyVs.UnionofIndia&Ors,reported
in1992Supp(3)SCC217laiddownthelawthereservationis
permissibleatthestageofinitialrecruitmentandnotinthestage
ofpromotion.ConsequentupontheJudgmentoftheApexCourt
inIndraSawhany(Supra),theParliamentbroughtaboutthe
ConstitutionalAmendmentbyincorporatingArticle16(4A)which
empowerstheStatetomakeanyprovisionsforreservationin
mattersofpromotioninanyclassorclassesorpostsinthe
servicesundertheStateinfavourofScheduledCastesand
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page38of103
ScheduledTribeswhichintheopinionoftheStatearenot
adequatelyrepresentedtheservicesundertheState.TheApex
CourtbyitsjudgmentrenderedinR.K.SabarwalVs.Stateof
Punjab,reportedinAIR1995SC1371heldthatthereservationis
tobedeterminedonthebasisofthenumberofpostsinthecadre
andnotonthebasisofthevacanciesandfurtherthosereserved
categorycandidateswhoarepromotedorappointedonmerit
shouldbeadjustedagainstunreservedpostsandnotagainst
postsmeantforthereservedcategory.Consequenttothesaid
Judgment,anamendmentwasbroughtaboutintheAssamActof
1978.Section5-Awasinsertedbywhichmaintenanceofpost
basedrosterregisterwasbroughtintogiveeffecttothe
reservationofSCandSTcommunities.Section5-A(iii)oftheAct
of1978providesthattherosteristobeoperatedasa
replacementandnotasarunningaccount.FurtherSection5A(xiii)
providesthatthepromotionsaretobeonthepostbasedroster
andthepolicyofreplacementbyfillingupvacantpostforeligible
personsfromtherespectivecategorybyspecialdrivesothatthe
prescribedpercentageofreservationismaintainable.Pursuantto
theConstitutionalAmendmentofArticle16(4A),byOffice
MemorandumbearingNo.ABP.59/96/163dated12.03.2002
broughtinbytheStateofAssam,theprincipleoffixationof
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page39of103
seniorityofreservedcandidatesvis-à-visGeneralcandidatesin
promotionalposts-inotherwords,thebenefitofconsequential
seniorityofreservedcategorycandidatesoverGeneralcategory
candidatesinthepromotionalpostswasnotified.The
ConstitutionalAmendmentofArticle16(4A)cametobeassailed
intheApexCourtandbyJudgmentrenderedinM.Nagraj&Ors.
Vs.unionofIndia&Ors,reportedin(2006)8SCC212,itwas
heldthat(i)thisAmendmentdoesnotaffecttherightofequality
whichisabasicstructureoftheConstitutionofIndia;(ii)The
rightoftheStatetoprovideforreservationsinpromotionand
consequentialsenioritywasupheldandalsoheldthatthe
consequentialseniorityisaconceptpurelyofservice
jurisprudence.Theincorporationofconsequentialsenioritywould
notviolatethemandateofequality;(iii)TheApexCourt,however,
heldthatbeforeprovidingsuchreservationinpromotion,the
Statewillneedtohavequantifiabledatatoshowbackwardness,
inadequacyofrepresentationsoftheseclassesinserviceand
balancingthemaintenanceofefficiencyinservicesasmandated
underArticle335oftheConstitutionofIndia.Theunitand
procedurethecollectionofthequantifiabledatawasleftthe
domainoftheexecutive.
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page40of103
6.PursuanttotheJudgmentofM.Nagraj(Supra),theStateof
Assamconstitutedaone-manCommissiontostudytheneedfor
reservationbycollectingquantifiabledataandrenderits
recommendation.Theone-manCommissionsubmitteditsreport
whichwasacceptedbytheStateGovernment.Basedonthe
approval,theStateGovernmentproscribedaprocedurecarryout
reservationandpromotionbywayofissuingtheOffice
MemorandumbearingNo.TAD/BC/68/2011/Pt-I/146dated
29.12.2014.
7.ThisOfficeMemorandumdated29.12.2014cametobe
challengedinW.P.(C)No.1560/2015(EqualityForumVs.The
StateofAssam&Ors.).ByJudgmentandOrderdated23.12.2015,
theOne-Man-Commissionwassetasideholdingthatthesaid
reportwouldbeofnolegalconsequenceandwouldnotenable
theStatetogiveeffecttotheprovisionsoftheActof1978.It
washeldthatreservationinpromotionwouldremaininadormant
statetillthetilltheexerciseofcollectionofquantifiabledata
relatingtothethreeconstitutionalrequirementsasmandatedin
MNagaraj(supra)andUPPowerCorporationLtd-Vs-Rajesh
Kumar,reportedin(2012)7SCC1arecompliedwithbytheState
whileseekingtoinformtheprovisionsofArticle16(4A).
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page41of103
8.TheGovernmentofAssaminpursuancetotheJudgment
andOrderdated23.12.2015passedinW.P(C)No.1560/2015
(EqualityForumVs.TheStateofAssam&Ors.)broughtoutthe
OfficeMemorandumdated03.08.2016.BythesaidOffice
Memorandum,theGovernmentagainlaiddowntheguidelinesto
befollowedforconsiderationofpromotioninanycadreinany
establishmentsincludingthosearethereservedcategories.
AmongstthevariousconditionslaiddownintheOffice
Memorandumdated03.08.2016underClause(iv),itwasprovided
thatduringpromotionalprocesswherethestipulatedpercentage
inrespectofanyreservedcategoryismet,butinthegradation
list/senioritylist,therearecandidatesofreservedcategorywho
onmeritareentitledtothepromotionthenhis/hercasewouldbe
consideredforpromotiononmeritifsuchcandidatehasnot
gainedthesenioritybywayofanyacceleratedpromotionearlier.
9.Itisthesaidclause(iv)intheOfficeMemorandumdated
03.08.2016whichcametobeassailedinW.P.(C)No.5005/2016
(BhawaganPatorVs.StateofAssam&Ors)andAnr.vide
JudgmentandOrderdated06.06.2022tobeviolativeofthe
Section5ofthe1978Actandthereforeisliabletobestruckdown.
WhileholdingthatArticle16(4A)andArticle16(4B)being
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page42of103
enablingprovisions,theStateisatlibertytoimplementitspolicy
ofgivingreservationsinpromotionwithconsequentialseniority
anditatlibertytoprovideforreservationinpromotionwithor
without consequential seniority. However, while
implementing/adopting/changingsuchpolicy,dueprocessoflaw
needstobefollowedincludingthedictainMNagran(Supra)
clarifiedinJarnailSingh.ThelearnedSingleJudgeheldthatsince
theOfficeMemorandumdated12.03.2002wouldholdthefield
untilsuchpolicyisexpresslyrepealedbytheState,theStateis
notwithinitscompetenceandjurisdictiontodeprivethebenefit
ofreservationinpromotionwithconsequentialseniorityto
meritoriousreservedcategorycandidateswithoutexpressly
bringinganypolicybysupersedingthebenefitgrantedunder
OfficeMemorandumdated12.03.2002.
10.ThisJudgmentandOrdercametosubsequentlyassailedin
theW.A.No.46/2023(IvyGohainDasguptaVs.BhagwanPator&
Ors);W.ANo.239/2022(EqualityForumVs.TheStateofAssam
&Ors)andW.A.No.162/2023(SanjaiKumarMahantaVs.The
StateofAssam&Ors).TheDivisionBenchupondecidingthis
issueinitsentiretyheldthatthedecisionrenderedinthewrit
appealwouldprevailoverallsuchprovisionsofthelearnedSingle
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page43of103
JudgeintheJudgmentandOrderdated06.06.2022inW.P.(C)No.
5005/2016butinrespectofanyotherprovisionwhichmaynotbe
contraryorinconsistentwiththeprovisionsoftheJudgment,the
samemayprevail.TheDivisionBenchdidnotupholdthefindings
ofthelearnedSingleJudgeinsofarastheinterpretationof
Clause(iv)oftheOfficeMemorandumdated03.08.2016is
concerned.TheDivisionBenchfurtherprovidedthatthedecisions
renderedinthesaidJudgmentofDivisionBenchinWANo.
46/2023,WANo.162/2023andWANo.239/2022wouldprevail
overallsuchprovisionsofthelearnedSingleJudgeinthe
judgmentdated06.06.2022renderedinWP(C)No.5005/2016
and5026/2016butinrespectofanyotherprovisionswhichmay
notbecontraryorinconsistentwiththeprovisionsofthis
judgmentthesamemayprevail,butwithafurtherclarification
thatifanysuchprovisionsofthejudgmentofthelearnedSingle
Judgeisinconflictorcontradictorytoanyoftheprovisionsinthe
presentjudgment,suchprovisionsandthejudgmentofthe
learnedSingleJudgestandsmodifiedaccordingly.Inthesaid
DivisionBenchJudgment,itwasobservedbytheDivisionBench
thatOfficeMemorandumdated18.01.2023hadinthemeantime
beenissuedwherebytheconsequentialsenioritywaswithdrawn
andthecatchupprinciplehasbeenreintroduced.TheDivision
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page44of103
BenchdeclinedtoobserveanythingonmeritasthesaidOffice
Memorandumisunderchallengebeforebywayofseparatewrit
petitions.
11.ItisthisOfficeMemorandumdated18.01.2023whichis
underchallengeinthepresentproceedingswhichrequires
considerationbythisCourtinthepresentwritpetition.
12.Intheaboveconfluenceofthelitigationhistory,thefacts
relevantineachofthewritpetitionsaresummarizedbelow:
Nameofthe
Petitioner
Present
cadreof
posting
Prayerinthewritpetitions
W.P.(C)363/2023
SriRadheswarLangthasa
Superintending
Engineer,Water
ResourcesDeptt.
PetitionerwasworkingintherankofSuperintending
Engineer.Positionintheprovisionalgradationlist
dated30.11.2022(Pg.110atANNEXURE-H)asper
entryinthecadreofthepetitionerwasatSl.No.11in
thecadreofSuperintendingEngineerwhichwas
subsequentlybroughtdowntoSl.17asperthe
impugnedgradationlistdated18.1.2023(Pg.116at
Annexure-K)whichwasissuedinadherencetothe
impugnedO.Mdated18.1.2023,bringinginthe
redundantcatch-upprinciple.
W.P.(C)665/2023
SriRadheswarLangthasa
Superintending
Engineer,Water
ResourcesDeptt.
ThepetitionerchallengedtheDPCmeetingdated
6.2.2023forpromotionofprivaterespondentNo.10to
24totherankofAdditionalChiefEngineerfromthe
cadreofSuperintendingEngineeranddowngradedthe
petitionerthroughViolationofRuleswhileadheringto
impugnedO.Mdated18.1.2023.
W.P.(C)828/2023
Smt.DipaDas
Addl.Secretaryto
the Govt.of
Petitionerispresentlyservingintheselectiongradeof
AssamCivilServicesasAdditionalSecretarytothe
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page45of103
Assam.(ACS) Govt.ofAssam,CooperationDeptt..Petitionerhad
beendeprivedofherPromotiontothepostof-
SecretarytotheGovt.ofAssam,(ACS),Grade–
2,whereas,shewasdowngradedinviolationofRules
whileadheringtoimpugnedO.Mdated18.1.2023.In
thegradationlistof29.12.2022,thepetitionerfinds
placeatSl.No.38,whereas,shewasdowngradedto
Sl.No.55videimpugnedfinallistdated09.1.2023
(Pg.60atANNEXURE-C).
W.P.(C)545/2023
SriPrabirChandraKakati
Secretarytothe
Govt.ofAssam,
(ACS).
PetitionerispresentlyservingintherankofSecretary
totheGovt.ofAssam.Thepetitionerwasplacedat
Sl.No.1underGrade2.Thepetitionerwasdeprivedof
beingconsideredforpromotiontothepostof-
CommissionerandSecretarytotheGovt.ofAssam,
(ACS),Grade–1.Now,videimpugnednotification
dated30.1.2023,thepetitionerhasbeendenied
promotionandincumbents(RespondentNo.6to9)
juniortothepetitionerhasbeenconsideredfor
promotioninviolationofRules.
W.P.(C)1804/2023
SriBhagwanPator
AssistantExecutive
Engineer,Water
Resources,Govt.of
Assam.
PetitionerisservingintherankofAssistantExecutive
Engineer.Positionintheprovisionalgradationlist
dated7.9.2022intherankofAssistantExecutive
Engineerwasatsl.No.38,butinthefinalgradationlist
dated22.2.2023,thepetitionerwasbroughtdownat
SerialNo.58andtheprivaterespondentNos8to28
hadsupersededthepetitioner.
W.P.(C)1819/2023
SriSubrataKumarDas
AssistantExecutive
Engineer,Water
Resources,Govt.of
Assam.
PetitionerisservingintherankofAssistantExecutive
Engineer.Positionintheprovisionalgradationlist
dated7.9.2022intherankofAssistantExecutive
Engineerwasatsl.No.4,butinthefinalgradationlist
dated22.2.2023,thepetitionerwasbroughtdownat
SerialNo.51andtheprivaterespondentNos8to54
hadsupersededthepetitioner.
W.P.(C)3095/2021Sri
PranabRabha
Superintending
Engineer,Public
WorksDepartment
Thepetitionerhadchallengedclause(iv)oftheO.M.
dated3.8.2016,onthebasisofwhichtheRespondent
hadconductedDPCmeetingdated25.5.2021for
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page46of103
(Roads). promotionfromtherankofExecutiveEngineerto
SuperintendingEngineerandtheiractionsonthe
groundofViolationofRule13(4)ofTheAssam
Engineering(PWD)ServiceRules,1978withaprayer
torestoretheinter-seseniorityofthepetitionerabove
thePrivateRespondentNos.9to36whohas
supersededthepetitioneraspersenioritylistdated
5.5.2021.ThePetitioneralsoprayedtodirectthe
secretaryPWD,topreparetheFinalGradationlistas
perRule13(4)ofTheAssamEngineering(PWD)
ServiceRules,1978.
W.P.(C)1309/2022Sri
PranabRabha
Superintending
Engineer,Public
WorksDepartment
(Roads).
Thepetitionerhaschallengedtheactionsonthe
groundofViolationofRule13(4)ofTheAssam
Engineering(PWD)ServiceRules,1978torestorethe
inter-seseniorityofthepetitionerabovethePrivate
RespondentNos.9to33aspersenioritylistdated
5.5.2021.ThePetitioneralsoprayedtodirectthe
secretaryPWD,topreparetheFinalGradationlistas
perRule13(4)oofTheAssamEngineering(PWD)
ServiceRules1978.
W.P.(C)3094/2021Sri
BikashChPangging
ExecutiveEngineer,
Public Works
Department
(Roads).
Thepetitionerhadchallengedclause(iv)oftheO.M.
dated3.8.2016,onthebasisofwhichtheRespondent
hadconductedDPCmeetingdated25.5.2021for
promotionfromtherankofExecutiveEngineerto
SuperintendingEngineerandconsequentialnotification
dated28.5.2021promotingthePrivateRespondent
Nos.9to22whohassupersededthepetitionerasper
senioritylistdated5.5.2021.Thepetitionerhadalso
challengedtheiractionsonthegroundofViolationof
Rule13(4)ofTheAssamEngineering(PWD)Service
Rules,1978withaprayertorestoretheinter-se
seniorityofthepetitioneraboveThePetitioneralso
prayedtodirectthesecretaryPWD,topreparethe
FinalGradationlistasperRule13(4)ofTheAssam
Engineering(PWD)ServiceRules,1978.
W.P.(C)1567/2022SriExecutiveEngineer,Thepetitionerhadchallengedclause(iv)oftheO.M.
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page47of103
BikashChPangging Public Works
Department
(Roads).
dated3.8.2016,onthebasisofwhichtheRespondent
hadconductedDPCmeetingdated28.2.2022for
promotionfromtherankofExecutiveEngineerto
SuperintendingEngineerandconsequentialnotification
dated28.5.2021promotingthePrivateRespondent
Nos.9to26whohassupersededthepetitionerasper
senioritylistdated5.5.2021.Thepetitionerhadalso
challengedtheiractionsonthegroundofViolationof
Rule13(4)ofTheAssamEngineering(PWD)Service
Rules,1978withaprayertorestoretheinter-se
seniorityofthepetitioneraboveThePetitioneralso
prayedtodirectthesecretaryPWD,topreparethe
FinalGradationlistasperRule13(4)ofTheAssam
Engineering(PWD)ServiceRules,1978.
W.P.(C)3482/2020Sri
TaburamPegu
APS,SeniorGrade-
II
Thepetitionerhadchallengedthegradationlistdated
17.7.2019,nameofpetitionersappearatSl.No.87,
88and92respectively.Inter-sesenioritylistofAPS
Officersaspernotificationdated11.12.2014,nameof
petitionersappearatSl.No.120,119and123
respectively.
W.P.(C)1165/2023Sri
PranabRabha
Superintending
Engineer,Public
WorksDepartment
(Roads).
PetitionerwasworkingintherankofSuperintending
Engineer.Thepetitionerpraystosetasideandquash
Clause(iii),(iv)(a),(v)oftheO.M.dated18.01.2023
andpreparecadrewisesenioritylistintermsofRule
13,22&24ofTheAssamEngineering(PWD)Service
Rules1978alsotoconsiderthecaseofpetitionerin
termsofjudgmentpassedinBhagwanPator–Vs-The
StateofAssam&Ors.(W.P.(C)5005/2016)basing
whichthepetitionerisentitledforconsequential
senioritycadre-wise.
W.P.(C)3096/2021Sri
BidurBorgayari
ExecutiveEngineer,
Public Works
Department
(Roads).
Thepetitionerhadchallengedclause(iv)oftheO.M.
dated3.8.2016,onthebasisofwhichtheRespondent
hadconductedDPCmeetingdated25.5.2021for
promotionfromtherankofExecutiveEngineerto
SuperintendingEngineerandconsequentialnotification
dated28.5.2021promotingthePrivateRespondent
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page48of103
Nos.9to22whohassupersededthepetitionerasper
senioritylistdated5.5.2021.Thepetitionerhadalso
challengedtheiractionsonthegroundofViolationof
Rule13(4)ofTheAssamEngineering(PWD)Service
Rules,1978withaprayertorestoretheinter-se
seniorityofthepetitioneraboveThePetitioneralso
prayedtodirectthesecretaryPWD,topreparethe
FinalGradationlistasperRule13(4)ofTheAssam
Engineering(PWD)ServiceRules,1978.
W.P(C)No.677/2023
BidurBorgayari
ExecutiveEngineer
(C),PWRD
PetitionerwasworkingintherankofExecutive
Engineer.Thepetitionerpraystosetasideandquash
Clause(iii),(iv)(a),(v)oftheO.M.dated18.01.2023
andpreparecadrewisesenioritylistintermsofRule
13,22&24ofTheAssamEngineering(PWD)Service
Rules1978alsotoconsiderthecaseofpetitionerin
termsofjudgmentpassedinBhagwanPator–Vs-The
StateofAssam&Ors.(W.P.(C)5005/2016)basing
whichthepetitionerisentitledforconsequential
senioritycadre-wise.
W.P(C)No.1121/2023
BikashCh.Pangging
ExecutiveEngineerThepetitionerbelongstotheScheduledTribe(Plains)
Categoryandisentitledtoavailthebenefitsof
reservationasenvisagedunderArticle16(4)(A)ofthe
ConstitutionofIndia.Thepetitionerpraystosetaside
andquashClause(iii),(iv)(a),(v)oftheO.M.dated
18.01.2023andpreparecadrewisesenioritylistin
termsofRule13,22&24ofTheAssamEngineering
(PWD)ServiceRules1978alsotoconsiderthecaseof
petitionerintermsofjudgmentpassedin
BhagwanPator–Vs-TheStateofAssam&Ors.
(W.P.(C)5005/2016)basingwhichthepetitioneris
entitledforconsequentialsenioritycadre-wise.
13.Mr.D.K.Das,learnedcounselforthepetitionerarguesthat
OfficeMemorandumdated12.03.2002whichhasbeensoughtto
besupersededbytheimpugnedOfficeMemorandumdated
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page49of103
18.01.2023cannotbepermittedtobeacceptedinasmuchasit
willamounttooverridingtheprovisionsoftheActof1978.The
OfficeMemorandumdated12.03.2002whichwasbroughtinby
theState,isfallingfromthepowersourcefromSections5and5A
oftheActof1978.ItissubmittedthattheActof1978was
broughtinpursuanttotheJudgmentoftheApexCourtand
therefore,theOfficeMemorandumdated12.03.2002mustbe
understoodtohavebeenbroughtbytheStatetosatisfythe
Constitutionalrequirementsrelatingtoreservationinpromotion
withconsequentialseniority.
14.Thefurtherargumentofthelearnedcounselforthe
petitioneristhatnotwithstandingthesupersessionoftheOffice
Memorandumdated12.03.2002,thebenefitconferredtothe
reservedcategorycandidatesofconsequentialseniorityupon
promotionisprotectedunderSection5oftheActof1978itself.It
issubmittedthattheStateisboundtoprovidecadrewise
promotionsandwilladheretoseniorityinthecadreandnotas
perthedateoftheirinitialappointments.
15.ItisfurthersubmittedthatbesidesthelearnedSingleJudge
videJudgmentandOrderdated06.06.2022,eventheDivision
BenchJudgmentandOrderdated10.08.2023renderedinW.ANo.
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page50of103
46/2023&Orsdidnotupsettherightsofthepetitionerstowards
theirclaimsforconsequentialseniorityinreservationon
promotion.Itisunheardofthatpursuanttoreservationon
promotionforthereservedcategorycandidates,consequential
seniorityisdenied.Thisthelearnedcounselforthepetitioner
submitswasaconceptwhichhadlongbeenabundantacrossthe
countryandthisprimitivepracticeofdenialofconsequential
seniorityuponpromotionbeingstillfollowedbytheStateneedsto
besuitablyinterferedwithandthebenefitofconsequential
seniorityberestoredtothewritpetitioners.
16.ItisarguedthatifClause(iv)oftheOfficeMemorandum
dated18.01.2023istobeupheldthenthesamewouldbein
violationoftheApexCourtJudgmentofR.K.Sabarwal(Supra)
inasmuchasperClause(iv),ifareservedcategorycandidate
competesonmeritthenthesaidcandidatewillhavetobetreated
asareservedcategorycandidatewhichisquiteopposedtothe
lawlaiddownbyApexCourtinR.K.Sabarwal(Supra).The
furtherargumentofthelearnedcounselforthepetitionersisthat
theOfficeMemorandumbringsintheconceptof“promotions
group-wise”.ReferringtotheJudgmentoftheApexCourtin
JarnailSingh-II,itissubmittedthatthepromotionscan’tbe
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page51of103
group-wise,ithastocadrewise.Theentireunitwillhavetobe
takenasacadretoapplythecatchupprinciple.Itissubmitted
thatitisonlythecadre-wisepromotionswhichcanfollowandno
other.AssuchtheOfficeMemorandumdated18.01.2023seeksto
takeawaythevestedrightsofthereservedcategorycandidate
whichcannotbepermittedtobetakenaway.
17.ItisalsoarguedthatwheretheActof1978followedbythe
Rulesmadethereunderarepresentenablingthepolicyof
reservationinpromotionthentheStatecannotdenythese
benefitsbybringinginanOfficeMemorandumwhichisconflict
withtheActandtheRules.AlthoughtheprovisionsofArticle16
(4-A)andArticle16(4B)areenablingprovisions,oncethe
provisionsareimplementedbytheStatebybringingintheAct
followedbytheRules,itbecomesanenforceablerightand
therefore,thepetitionersarewithintheirrightstoseekjustice
fromthisCourtandtherespondentsaretobesuitablydirectedto
restorethevestedrightaccruedtothepetitionersbyconsidering
theircasesandbyrelegatingthemtotheirplacesofseniorityas
perthebenefitofreservationinpromotioninconsequential
seniority.Insupportofhissubmissions,thelearnedcounselfor
thepetitionerreferstoandreliesuponthefollowingJudgments:
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page52of103
“1.R.K.SabharwalandOrs.Vs.StateofPunjab&Ors.,reportedin
(1995)2SCC745;
2.BhogeswarSaikiaVs.StateofAssam&Ors,reportedin(2010)3
GLT377;
3.PareshChandDekaVs.StateofAssam&Ors,reportedin(2017)4
GLT434;
4.Chairman&ManagingDirector,CentralBankofIndiaVs.Central
BankofIndiaSC/STEmployeesWelfareAssociation,reportedin(2016)
1SCC355;
5.ST/SCWelfareCouncilVs.StateofUttarPradesh&Anr.,reportedin
(1997)1SCC701;
6.BhagwanPatorVs.TheStateofAssamandOrs;
7.B.K.Pavitra&ors.Vs.UnionofIndia&Ors,reportedin(2019)16
SCC129;and
8.JarnailSingh&Ors.Vs.LachhmiNarainGupta&Ors.”
18.Percontra,Mr.D.Mazumdar,learnedAddl.Advocate
General,Assamstronglydisputesthecontentionsurgesbythe
learnedcounselforthepetitioners.Itissubmittedthatboththe
learnedSingleJudgeinBhagawanPator(Supra)aswellasthe
DivisionBenchinIvyGohainDasgupta(Supra)hascategorically
heldthatthepowertograntreservationinpromotionand
consequentialseniorityissquarelylieswiththeState.TheState
maydecidetograntsoormaydecidenottograntsuchbenefits.
Assuch,itissubmittedthatwhenthequestionofthepowerhas
beendecidedbythelearnedSingleJudgeandtothatextentthe
findingshavebeenupheldbytheDivisionBench,thereisno
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page53of103
quarrelthattheStateiswithinitsrightstobringoutsuchlaw
whichmayconferreservationonpromotionwithconsequential
seniorityormaytakeawaysuchprovisionsalreadygrantedearlier.
ThesefindingsrenderedinbytheCo-ordinateBenchwhichare
upheldbytheDivisionBencharenotinappealandtherefore,
theyoperateagainstthewritpetitionersaswell.Itissubmitted
thatwhentheimpugnedOfficeMemorandumdated18.01.2023
wasissued,thewritpetitionofBhagawanPator(Supra)was
alreadydecided.WhiletheW.A.No.46/2023(IvyGohain
Dasgupta)waspendingdisposal.Thereafter,theDivisionBench
upheldthecatchupruleandintheabsenceofanyfurtherappeal
bythepetitioners,thepresentwritpetitionsarenotmaintainable
asthesamestandssquarelycoveredbytheJudgmentofthe
DivisionBenchinIvyGohainDasgupta(Supra)whereinitwas
heldthatitiswithintherealmoftheStatetograntornotto
grantbenefitsofreservationonpromotionwithconsequential
seniority.Itissubmittedthatunlessthereisaspecificprovision
undertheRulesgrantingconsequentialseniority,itistobe
acceptedthat“catchup”theoryistheRulewhichistobe
followed.ItissubmittedthatpursuanttotheJudgmentrendered
inIvyGohainDasgupta(Supra),itistheDivisionBenchJudgment
whichwillprevailandnotthefindingsoftheCo-ordinateBench
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page54of103
moreparticularlyinviewofparagraph-47and48ofthesaid
JudgmentoftheDivisionBench.ThelearnedAddl.Advocate
GeneralfurthersubmitsthatthereferencetoprovisionsofSection
5Aofthe1978Actthatitmandatesreservationofpromotionwith
consequentialseniority,itissubmittedthatsuchsubmissionsof
thepetitionersaretotallymisplacedinasmuchasSection5Aof
the1978Actisonlymeanttomaintain/identifythereservation
slotsintermsoftheJudgmentrenderedbytheApexCourtinR.K.
Sabarwal(Supra).RelyingontheprovisionsofSection5Aofthe
Actof1978,nochallengecanbemadetotheimpugned
Notificationbythewritpetitioners.Suchachallengeiscompletely
misplacedasSection5AoftheActof1978hasnoconnection
withconsequentialseniority.InsupportofhisargumentsMr.D.
MazumdarreferredtoandreliesonthefollowingJudgments:
1.S.PanneerSelvamVs.StateofT.N.,reportedin(2015)10
SCC292;
2.SudhakarBaburaoNangnureVs.NareshwarRaghunathrao
Shende,reportedin(2020)11SCC399;
3.AjitSingh(2)Vs.StateofPunjab,reportedin(1999)7SCC
209;and
19.Mr.K.N.Choudhury,learnedSeniorCounselrepresenting
theprivaterespondentsalsostronglydisputesthecontentions
raisedbythewritpetitioners.HereferstotheParagraphs45,46,
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page55of103
47&48oftheJudgmentoftheDivisionBenchinIvyGohain
Dasgupta(Supra)tosubmitthatpursuanttothedecisionofthe
DivisionBench,thereisnofurtherquestionrequiredtobe
decidedastheDivisionBenchhascategoricallyupheldthepower
oftheStatetograntornottograntconsequentialseniorityfor
reservationinpromotion.Hesubmitsthatthereisnoquestionof
anyvestedrightstothereservedcategorycandidatesasitisa
policydecisionwhichcanbealteredbytheStateandthesame
hasbeendonebytheOfficeMemorandumdated18.01.2023.
SinceboththelearnedSingleJudgeaswellastheDivisionBench
inBhagawanPator(Supra)andIvyGohainDasgupta(Supra)
respectivelyhasupheldtheState’spowertoconferornotto
conferconsequentialseniorityonpromotionreservedcategory
candidates,theStatebytheNotificationunderchallengedated
18.01.2023hasdecidedtotakeawaythebenefitswhichmay
havebeengrantedearlierandtherefore,asthereisnofurther
appealagainsttheJudgmentandOrderpassedbytheDivision
BenchinIvyGohainDasgupta(Supra),thedecisionoftheCourt
thattheStateiswithinitspowertograntorrejectsuchbenefits
onpromotionwithconsequentialseniorityhasattainedfinality.It
isfurthersubmittedthattheearlierOfficeMemorandumdated
03.08.2016hasbeenupheldbytheDivisionBenchinIvyGohain
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page56of103
Dasgupta(Supra).Consequently,theOfficeMemorandumdated
18.01.2023isanextensionthereof.Itisfurthersubmittedthat
thereservedcategoriescandidateshavenovestedrightswhich
theycancomplainabout.ThelearnedSr.counselsubmitsthatno
individualfactshavebeenpleadedbythewritpetitionersandas
suchitisnotunderstoodwhatreliefthewritpetitionersare
claimingwithoutreferencetotheirindividualfactsineachofthe
cases.Insupportofhiscontentions,thelearnedSeniorCounsel
referstotheJudgmentofAjitSinghJanuja&OrsVs.Stateof
PunjabandOrs,reportedin(1996)2SCC715;S.PanneerSelvam
Vs.StateofT.N.,reportedin(2015)10SCC292andMukesh
KumarandAnr.Vs.StateofUttarakhanandOrs,reportedin
(2020)3SCC1.
20.Therivalsubmissionshavebeenheardandcarefully
considered.Thepleadingsavailableonrecordhavealsobeen
carefullyperused.TheJudgmentscitedintheBarhavealsobeen
noted.
21.Toaddresstheissuesraisedinthepresentwritpetitions,it
willbenecessarytorefertoafewprovisionsoftheAssam
ScheduledCastesandScheduledTribes(Reservationofpostsin
services)Act,1978.ThisActwaspublishedintheAssamGazatte
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page57of103
(Extraordinary)on28.05.1979.ItisthisActhasbeenbroughtby
theStateofAssamtoprovideforreservationofvacanciesin
servicesandpostsforthemembersoftheScheduledCastesand
ScheduledTribes.Thestatementandobjectofreasonsisquoted
asunder:
“Inordertoprovideforreservationofvacanciesinservicesandposts
forthemembersoftheScheduledCastesandScheduledTribeswho
aretheBackwardClassesofcitizenandarenotadequately
representedintheservicesandpostsintheaffairsoftheState
withintheState,itwasconsideredexpedienttoprovideadequate
reservationofvacanciesinservicesandpostsforthem.”
22.UnderSection5oftheActof1978,itisprovidedthat
reservationformembersofScheduledCastesandScheduled
Tribesinpoststobefilledupbypromotioninanyestablishment
shallberegulatedinthemannerprovidedthereafter.
Clause5Aprovidesthepercentageofreservationforeach
categorynamely,7%formembersofScheduledCaste,10%for
membersofScheduledTribes(Plains)and5%formembersof
ScheduledTribes(Hills)andfurtherprovidedthattheState
Governmentmayfromtimetotimereviewtheimplementationof
thereservationpolicyandtakeadequatemeasuresincludingthe
increasedofpercentagementionedintheclause.
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page58of103
Section5Bprovidesforseparatepostbasedrosterfor
recruitmentandpromotionforeachcadretobemaintainedby
everyestablishmentforreservationsofcandidatesofScheduled
CastesandScheduledTribesascontainedtherein.
23.Clause5Awassubsequentlyinsertedbyanamendment.
Clause5-Aisextractedasunder:
“5AMannerandprocedureforgivingeffectofreservation-
ThereservationforthemembersoftheScheduledCastesandthe
ScheduledTribesinservicesorpostsinanestablishmentshallbe
giveneffecttointhefollowingmanner,namely:
(i)ApostbasedRosterRegistershallbemaintainedtogiveeffectto
thereservationofvacanciesforScheduledCastesandScheduled
Tribes.SuchrostershallbebasedontheModelrosterasperSchedule
IandIIappendedtothisActandshallbeadoptedforthepurposeby
eachEstablishmentinsuchmannerthattheprescribedpercentageof
reservationismaintainedineachcadre;
(ii)EachAppointingauthorityshallprepareandnotifytherosterbased
ontheprincipleslaiddowninthisActandmaintainRosterRegisterin
amannercontainingsuchnumberofpointsasareequivalenttothe
numberofposts,inacadre.Incaseofanyincreaseordecreaseinthe,
cadrestrength,therostershallcorrespondinglybyexpandedor
contracted;
(iii)Therosteristobeoperatedontheprincipleofreplacementand
notasarunningaccount,inotherwords,thepointatwhich
reservationfordifferentcategoriesappliesarefixedaspertheroster
andvacanciescausedbyretirementetc.ofpersonsoccupyingthose
pointsshallbefilledupbyappointmentofpersonsoftherespective
categories;
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page59of103
(iv)Separaterostersaretobemaintainedforgivingeffectto
reservationindirectrecruitmentandpromotion;
(v)Cadre,forthepurposeofaroster,shallmeanaparticulargrade
andshallcomprisethenumberofpoststobefilledbyaparticular
modeofrecruitmentintermsoftheapplicablerecruitmentrules.Thus
inacadreofsay,100posts,wheretherecruitmentrulesprescribea
ratioof50:50fordirectrecruitmentandpromotion,tworoster-one
fordirectrecruitmentandoneforpromotion(whenreservationin
promotionapplies)eachcomprising50pointsshallbedrawnuponthe
linesoftherespectiverosters;
(vi)Sincereservationdoesnotapplytotransferondeputationor
transfer,wheretherecruitmentrulesprescribeapercentageofposts
tobefilledbythismethod,suchpostsshallbeexcludedwhile
preparingtherosters;
(vii)AppointmentofcandidatesbelongingtoScheduledCastesand
ScheduledTribeswhichweremadeonmeritandnotdueto
reservation,arenottobecountedtowardsreservationssofaras
directrecruitmentisconcerned.Inotherwords,theyaretobetreated
asgeneralcategoryappointments;
(viii)Forinitialadoptionofthispostbasedroster,theexistingbacklog
vacanciesinacadrewheretheprescribedpercentageofreservation
fortheScheduledCastesandtheScheduledTribeshasnotbeen
achievedasperpostbasedrosterpreparedunderthisAmendmentAct,
shallbeconsideredasvacanciesreleasedbyrecruitment,resignation,
promotionetc.ofthepersonsbelongingtothesaidreserved
categoriesandthesamearetobefilledupbydirectrecruitmentorby
promotionofeligiblepersonsfromtherespectivecategoriesbyspecial
drivesothattheprescribedpercentageofreservationismaintained.
(ix)Beforemakinganappointmentbydirectrecruitment,the
AppointingauthorityshallascertainbyconsultingtheRosterRegister
maintainedbyeachEstablishment,whetherthepostisreservedor
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page60of103
unreservedandifitisreserved,forwhomitissoreserved.
Immediatelyafteranappointmentismade,theparticularsthereof
shallbeenteredintheRosterRegisterandsignedbytheAppointing
authority;
(x)IntheabsenceofaqualifiedScheduledCastesorScheduledTribes
candidate,asthecasemaybe,inaparticularyear,thevacancyshall
becarriedforwardandfilledupinthenextyear;
(xi)EveryEstablishmentshallprepareandnotifytherosterforeach
cadreequivalenttothenumberofpostswiththeconcurrenceofthe
PersonnelDepartmentandWelfareofPlainsTribesandBackward
ClassesDepartment;
(xii)Therostershallbemaintainedseparatelyforpermanentand
temporaryposts;
(xiii)Avacancycausedduetoanyreasonwhatsoever,except
terminationofserviceduringprobation,shallbetreatedasafresh
vacancy;
(xiv)AcandidatewhoclaimstobeamemberoftheScheduledCastes
ortheScheduledTribesshallsupporthiscandidaturebyaCertificate
fromDeputyCommissioner/Sub-DivisionalOfficerorfromsuchother
authorityasmaybeprescribedbyrulesmadeundertheAct.”
24.UnderSection13ofthesaidAct,theGovernmentis
empoweredtoframetheRulesforimplementingtheprovisionsof
theActandinconsequencethereof,theAssamScheduledCastes
andScheduledTribes(Reservationofvacanciesinservicesand
posts)Rules,1983wasframed.
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page61of103
25.AperusaloftheActandtheRulesaboverevealedthat
underSection5AoftheActof1978,thefollowingconditionsinter
aliaarenoticed:
(i)Apostbasedrosteristobemaintained.Therosteristobe
operatedontheprincipleorreplacementandnotasarunning
account;
(ii)Thecadreshallmeanaparticulargradeandshallcomprisethe
numberofpoststobefilledupbyparticularmodeofrecruitment;
and
(iii)Theappointmentmadeonmeritofreservedcandidatesshall
notbecountedtowardsthereservedcategoryposts.
26.Theparliamentbythe77
th
AmendmenthadinsertedClause
4AunderArticle16oftheConstitutionofIndia.Clause4A
empowerstheStatetomakeanyprovisionforreservation.
Subsequentlybythe85
th
Amendment,furtheramendmentwas
broughtintoClause4AoftheConstitutionofIndiatotheeffect
thatnothingintheArticleshallpreventtheStatefrommakingany
provisionsforreservationinmattersofpromotionwith
consequentialsenioritytoanyclassorclassesofpostsinthe
servicesundertheStateinfavourofSchedulesCastsand
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page62of103
ScheduledTribeswhichintheopinionoftheStatearenot
adequatelyrepresentedintheservicesoftheState.Pursuantto
the77
th
and85
th
Amendment,theStateofAssamhadbroughtin
theOfficeMemorandumNo.ABP.59/96/163dated12.03.2002.By
thesaidOfficeMemorandum,consequentialsenioritywasmade
availabletotheScheduledCastes/ScheduledTribesGovernment
ServantsupontheirpromotionsbyvirtueoftheRuleof
reservation/roster.Thisbenefitwasmadeavailabletothe
reservedcategoryGovernmentservantw.e.f17.06.1995.Assuch
bytheActof1978byvirtueofSection5reservationinpromotion
tothereservedcategorycandidateswasalreadyinplacewell
priortotheConstitutionalAmendmenttoArticle16.BytheOffice
Memorandumdated13.03.2002,theconsequentialseniorityupon
promotiontothereservedcategorycandidateswasalso
introduced.Subsequently,Section5Awasintroducedpursuantto
anAmendment.The2012OfficeMemorandumwassubsequently
followedbyanotherOfficeMemorandumdated29.12.2014.The
saidOfficeMemorandumprovidedfortheguidelinestoimplement
thepostbasedrosterreservationsystem.InthesaidOffice
Memorandumof29.12.2014atClause1.11,itisprovidedthatthe
rostersareanaidtodeterminetheentitlementofdifferent
categorieswithregardtothequotareservedfortheminmatters
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page63of103
ofappointmentandpromotion.Theyarenotintendedto
determineseniorityinthecadre.PursuanttotheJudgmentofthe
ApexCourtrenderedinMNagaraj&Ors.Vs.UnionofIndia,
reportedin(2006)8SCC212andtheU.P.CorporationLimited
(Supra)thatthereisarequirementoftheStatetohavea
quantifiabledataonthebackwardnessandinadequacyofthe
representationofthereservedcategorycandidatesbefore
effectingthepromotiontothereservedcategorycandidates.In
pursuancetothesaidJudgmentbytheApexCourt,Stateof
AssamconstitutedaOne-Man-Committee.TheOne-Man-
Committeesubmitteditsreporttotheeffectthatthereis
inadequacyofrepresentationinthereservedcategoryand
backwardnessoftheclassesandthereforetheOne-Man-
Committeereportsuggestedthatreservationinpromotionshould
becontinue.Thisreportcametobeassailedinwritpetitionsfiled
beforetheGauhatiHighCourtbeingW.P(C)No.1560/2015and
W.P.(C)No.2680/2015whichwasfiledbythesocietynamed
EqualityForumandotherindividuals.ACo-ordinateBenchofthis
CourtbyitsJudgmentandOrderdated23.12.2015rejectedthe
contentionsoftheStateGovernmenttoproceedforreservationin
promotiononthebasisoftherecommendationoftheOne-Man-
Committeereport.ItwasheldbytheCo-ordinateBenchthatthe
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page64of103
mandateinMNagarajan(Supra)andU.P.PowerCorporation
(Supra)tohavequantifiabledataisnotsatisfiedbytheOne-Man-
Committeereportinthemanneritsoughttoprojectthesame.It
washeldthattherehastobeanexerciseofcollectionof
quantifiabledatarelatingtothethreeConstitutionalrequirements,
namely(i)backwardnessoftheclass;(ii)inadequacyof
representationinpublicserviceand(iii)overallefficiencyin
administrationintheeventofreservation,arethequantifiable
datawhicharetobecollectedbytheStatebeforeproceedingfor
reservationinpromotion.TheCo-ordinateBenchheldthattill
suchquantifiabledataiscollected.TheAmendmentoftheActof
1978broughtinbythe2012OfficeMemoranduminsofarasthe
reservationinpromotionareconcernedshallremaininadomain
state.
27.Thereafter,theGovernmentbyOfficeMemorandumdated
03.08.2016videNo.TAD/BC/68/2011/Pt-I/207broughtinthe
saidOfficeMemorandumforreviewoftheGovernmentPolicyof
reservationinpromotionwithreferencetotheJudgmentofthe
GauhatiHighCourtinEqualityForuminW.P(C)No.5610/2015.
ThesaidOfficeMemorandumbroughtinthevariousguidelinesto
befollowedwhileconsideringpromotioninanycadreinany
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page65of103
establishment.Itwasprovidedthatthepolicyofreservationin
promotionwillcontinue.UnderClause(ii)ofthesaidOffice
Memorandum,itwaslaiddownthatwhiletakinguptheprocess
ofpromotioninaparticularcadreoftheservice,every
establishmentshallexaminetherepresentationofSC,ST(P)and
ST(H)candidatesinacadreincomparisonwiththeprescribed
percentageofreservationandcalculateshortfallifanyinany
cadrewithreferencetoaparticularyear.Ifinanyparticularcadre,
theSCsandSTsarenotadequatelyrepresentedandshortfallis
foundtoexistinthecadre,theymaybeconsideredasbackward
insofarasthatparticularcadreisconcerned.Suchshortfallshall
befilledupbytheconcernedcategoryofincumbentswithinthe
zoneofconsiderationeitheronaccountofseniority-cum-
merit/merit-cum-seniorityorbywayofprovidingreservationas
thecasemay,tilltheprescribedpercentageinrespectofthesaid
categoryisachieved.Ifnoeligibleincumbentsbelongingtothe
shortfallcategoryareavailablewithinthezoneofconsideration
thenthenumberofpoststhatarerequiredtomeetthecalculated
shortfallshallbekeptvacantandthevacancyshallbecarry
forwardandfilledupinthenextyear.
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page66of103
28.Sub-clause(iv)providesthatduringthepromotionprocess
wherethestipulatedpercentageofreservedcategoryismet,but
inthegradationlist/senioritylist,therearecandidatesofreserved
categorywhoonmeritareentitledtopromotionthentheircases
shallbeconsideredforpromotiononmeritifsuchcandidatehas
notgainedthesenioritybywayofanyacceleratedpromotion
earlier.
29.SincetheOfficeMemorandumdated03.08.2016isalso
relevantforthepurposesofthiscase,thesameisextracted
below:
“GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
DEPARTMENTOFWELFAREOFPLAINSTRIBESANDBACKWARDCLASSES
DISPUR::::ASSAM
No.TAD/BC/68/2011/Pt-I/207datedDispur3
rd
August,2016
OFFICEMEMORANDUM
Subject:ReviewofGovernmentPolicyofReservationinPromotion
withreferencetotheHon’bleGauhatiHighCourtjudgments
Withaviewtobringingthepolicyofreservationinpromotionfor
reservedcategoriesinlinewiththedirectionsoftheHon’bleHighCourt,
Governmenthavereviewedtheexistingprocedureofeffectingreservation
inpromotionandaccordinglylaysdownthefollowingguidelinestobe
followedwhileconsideringpromotioninanycadreinanyestablishment
i) Thepolicyofreservationinpromotionshallcontinue.
ii) ii)Eachestablishmentwhiletakinguptheprocessof
promotioninaparticularcadreofaservice,shallexaminethe
representationofSC,ST(P)andST(H)candidatesinthecadrein
comparisonwiththeprescribedpercentageofreservationandcalculate
shortfallifany,inthecadrewithreferencetothatparticularyear.Shortfall
ofreservationofaparticularreservedcategoryinacadremeansthe
differencebetweenthetotalnumberofreservedpostsforthatcategory
inthecadreandthenumberofpersonsofthatcategoryholdingtheposts
inthecadre.Whilecalculatingtheshortfall,allcandidatesbelongingto
thesamecategory[SCorST(P)orST(H)]shallbetakenintoaccount
irrespectiveofthemodeoftheirentryintothecadrei.e.whetheron
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page67of103
accountofseniority-cum-meritormeritcumseniority,asthecasemay
be,orthroughanyotherprocessadmissibleinlaworbywayof
reservation.Ifinaparticularcadre,SCsandSTsarenotadequately
representedandshortfallisfoundtoexistinthecadre,theymaybe
consideredasbackwardinsofarasthatparticularcadreisconcerned.
Suchshortfallshallbefilledupbytheconcernedcategoryofincumbents
withinthezoneofconsiderationeitheronaccountofseniority-cum-merit/
merit-cum-seniorityorbywayofprovidingreservationasthecasemay
be,tilltheprescribedpercentageinrespectofthesaidcategoryis
achieved.
iii)Ifnoeligibleincumbentbelongingtotheshortfallcategory
isavailablewithinthezoneofconsideration,thiswillfurthersubstantiate
thestatusofbackwardnessandinadequaterepresentationofcategoryin
thecadreandthereforethenumberofpoststhatarerequiredtomeetthe
calculatedshortfallshallbekeptvacantandthevacancyshallbecarried
forwardandfilledupinthenextyear.Incase,sufficientnumberofSCor
ST(P)orST(H)candidatesfitforpromotionagainstreservedpostsarenot
availableandifthepostscannotbeallowedtoremainvacantongrounds
ofmaintainingefficiencyinadministration,theappointingauthoritymay
withfulljustification,referthevacancytotheDepartmentofWPTandBC
forde-reservation,subjecttotheconditionthatnocandidatebelongingto
thecategoryforwhichthepostisreservedisavailablewithinthezoneof
considerationplacedbeforetheannualSelectionCommittee/
DepartmentalPromotionCommitteefortwoconsecutiveyears.Inother
words,theconcernedDepartmentmaymoveproposalforde-reservationin
thethirdyear.
iv)Ifanoccasionarisesduringthepromotionprocess,inwhich
stipulatedpercentageinrespectofreservedcategoryismet,butinthe
gradationlist/senioritylisttherearecandidatesofreservedcategorywho
onmeritisentitledtothepromotion,his/hercaseshallbeconsideredfor
promotiononmeritifsuchcandidatehasnotgainedthesenioritybyway
ofanyacceleratedpromotionearlier.
v) Asregardsthequestionofmaintainingadministrative
efficiencyasrequiredunderArticle335oftheConstitutionofIndia,
Hon’bleHighCourtheldthat,“……itshouldbeassessedapplyingobjective
measurablestandards.”Inthatsense,theAnnualconfidential
Reports(ACR)/AnnualPerformanceAppraisalReports(APAR)ofthe
incumbentalongwiththelengthofservice,participationintraining
programsconcerningjobrequirements,acquisitionofdegreesordiplomas
ordiplomasonsubjectifmandatorytothejob,shouldbeconsideredas
theyardstickofmeasuringefficiency.
vi)Itshallbetheresponsibilityoftheconcernedappointing
authoritytoprovideadequateinformationconcerningtheabovetothe
SelectionCommittee(DepartmentPromotionCommittee)whichshall
evaluateallrelevantparameterswhilemakingitsrecommendation.
Thisshallcomeintoforcewithimmediateeffect.
Sd/-
(RajivKumarBoraIAS)
AdditionalChiefSecretarytotheGovt.ofAssam,
WT&BCDepartment,Dispur.”
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page68of103
30.ItisthisOfficeMemorandummoreparticularlyClauses(iii)
and(iv)ofthesaidOfficeMemorandumwhichcametobe
assailedbythewritpetitionbeingW.P(C)No.5005/2016
(BhagwanPator)onthegroundthattheClause(iii)and(iv)will
havetheeffectofde-reservationinrespectofpromotionand
promotiononmerittowhichareservedcategorycandidateis
otherwiseentitledtoandwhichissoughttobetakenaway.This
OfficeMemorandumwasalsochallengedbytheregisteredsociety
EqualityForumbyfilingW.P.(C)No.5026/2016ontheground
thatthisOfficeMemorandumisinviolationoftheJudgment
renderedearlierbytheCo-ordinateBenchinJudgmentdated
23.12.2015renderedearlierbytheCo-ordinateBenchinW.P(C)
No.1560/2015andW.P(C)No.2680/2015.Thesewritpetitions
cametobeheardanddisposedoftogetherbyCo-ordinateBench
andbyJudgmentandorderdated06.06.2022,theCo-ordinate
Benchfinallyheldasunder:
“I.ThePolicyofthestateinprovidingreservationinpromotionwith
consequentialseniorityisdiscernablefromSection5ofthe1978
ActreadwithO.M.dated12.03.2002.
II.TheOfficeMemorandumdated12.03.2002shallholdthefield
tillsuchpolicyisexpresslyrepealedbytheState.
III.III.O.M.dated.03.06.2016isnotifiedlayingprocedurefor
collectionofquantifiabledataonBackwardnessandinadequacyof
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page69of103
representationanddeterminingefficiencyinadministrationwhile
givingeffecttosuchpolicyofprovidingreservation.”
31.TheCo-ordinateBenchwentontoholdthepolicyof
providingreservationinpromotionwithconsequentialseniority
holdingthefieldasperOfficeMemorandumdated12.03.2002,
theStateisnotwithinincompetenceandjurisdictiontodeprive
thebenefittoameritoriousreservedcategorycandidateandthat
toowithoutexpresslybringingsuchpolicybysupersedingthe
benefitgrantedunderOfficeMemorandumdated12.03.2009.The
Co-ordinateBenchheldthatthepolicyofprovidingreservationin
promotionwithconsequentialseniorityisholdingthefield.The
Co-ordinateBenchalsoheldthatArticle16(4A)andArticle16(4B)
beingenablingprovisions,theStateisatlibertytoimplementits
policyforgivingreservationinpromotionwithconsequential
seniorityorisatlibertynottoprovideforanyreservationin
promotion.Butthesepolicieswillhavetobeimplemented
followingdueprocessoflawincludingthedictarenderedinM
Nagaraj(Supra)andclarifiedinJarnailSingh(Supra).
32.ThisJudgmentcametobeassailedbeforetheDivision
BenchofthisCourtinW.ANo.46/2023andotherconnectedwrit
appeals.ADivisionBenchofthisCourtelaboratelydealtwiththe
issuesraisedandoverturnedtheJudgmentofthelearnedSingle
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page70of103
Judge.TheDivisionBenchupheldtheOfficeMemorandumdated
03.08.2016andalsoheldthatinviewoftheJudgmentofthe
ApexCourtinJarnailSinghVs.LaxmiNarayanGupta,reportedin
(2018)10SCC396(hereinafterreferredtoas“JarnailSingh-I”)
thattheJudgmentofthelearnedSingleBenchrenderedin
EqualityForum(supra)isnolongeragoodlawandthereforethe
findingsoftheSingleBenchrenderedinEqualityForum(Supra)
wouldnolongerbebindingontheState.
33.ItispertinenttomentionherethattheimpugnedOffice
Memorandumdated18.01.2023whichispresentlyassailedin
thesebunchofwritpetitionscametobeissuedbytheStateof
AssamaftertheJudgmentofthelearnedSingleBenchrendered
inBhagawanPator(Supra)butduringthependencyofthewrit
appealNo.46/2023andotherconnectedwritappealsandpriorto
theJudgmentdated10.08.2023renderedbytheDivisionBenchin
thesewritappeal.TheimpugnedOfficeMemorandumbeing
assailedinthepresentOfficeMemorandumisextractedbelow:
“GOVERNMENTOFASSAM
DEPARTMENTOFPERSONNEL::::PERSONNEL(B)
DISPUR::::GUWAHATI-06
No.ABP.81/2022/58DatedDispur,the18
th
January,2023
OFFICEMEMORANDUM
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page71of103
SUBJECT:ReviewofGovernmentPolicyofReservationinPromotion
withreferencetotheHon’bleGauhatiHighCourtjudgments.
TheHon’bleGauhatiHighCourtinitsjudgmentandorderdated
06.06.2022inW.P.(C)No.5005/2016(BhagwanPator-Vs.SOA&Ors)and
WP(C)No.5026/2016(EqualityForum-Vs-SOA&Ors)atPara7(IX)ofthis
order,hasobservedthat,
“Para7(IX):Article16(4A)and16(4B)beingenablingprovision,theStateis
atlibertytoimplementitspolicyofgivingreservationinpromotionwith
consequentialseniority,withoutconsequentialseniorityoratlibertynotto
provideanyreservationinpromotion.However,whileimplementingsuch
policy,dueprocessoflawneedtobefollowedincludingdictainMNagraj
(Supra)clarifiedinJarnailSingh(Supra).”
TheGovernmentofAssamaftercarefulexaminationoftheHon’bleHigh
Courtjudgmentdated23.12.2015inW.P.(C)No.1560(EqualityForum-Vs-
SOA&3Ors.)andthejudgmentdated06-06-2022inWP(C)No.5005/2016
andWP(C)No.5026/2016,hasreviewedtheexistingprocedureofeffecting
‘reservationsinpromotionwithconsequentialseniorityforthereserved
categoriesandaccordinglylaysdownthefollowingguidelinestobefollowed
whileconsideringpromotioninanyestablishment.
i)Thepolicyofreservationinpromotionshallcontinue,
ii)EachEstablishmentwhiletakinguptheprocessofpromotionina
particularcadreofaservice,shallexaminetherepresentationofSC,ST(P)
andST(H)candidatesinthecadreincomparisonwiththeprescribed
percentageofreservationandcalculateshortfallifany,inthecadrewith
referencetothatparticularyear.Shortfallofreservationofaparticular
reservedcategoryincadremeansthedifferencebetweenthetotalnumber
ofreservedpostsforthatcategoryinthecadreandthenumberofpersons
ofthatcategoryholdingthepostsinthecadre.Whilecalculatingtheshortfall,
allcandidatesbelongingtothesamecategory[SCorST(P)orST(H)]shall
betakenintoaccountirrespectiveofthemodeofentryintothecadrei.e.
whetheronaccountofseniority-cum-meritormeritcumseniority,asthe
casemaybe,orthroughanyotherprocessadmissibleinlaworbywayof
reservation.Ifinaparticularcadre,SCsandSTsarenotadequately
representedandshortfallisfoundtoexistinthecadre,itmaybeconsidered
asinadequacyinrepresentationinsofarasthatparticularcadreisconcerned.
Suchshortfallshallbefilledupbytheconcernedcategoryofincumbents
withinthezoneofconsiderationeitheronaccountofseniority-cum-merit/
merit-cum-seniorityorbywayofprovidingreservationasthecasemaybe,
tilltheprescribedpercentageinrespectofthesaidcategoryisachieved.
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page72of103
iii)Ifnoeligibleincumbentbelongingtotheshortfallcategoryisavailable
withinthezoneofconsideration,thiswillfurthersubstantiatethestatusof
backwardnessandinadequaterepresentationofthecategoryinthecadre
andthereforethenumberofpoststhatarerequiredtomeetthecalculated
shortfallshallbekeptvacantandthevacancyshallbecarriedforwardand
filledupinthenextyear.Incase,sufficientnumberofSCorST(P)orST(H)
candidates,fitforpromotionagainstreservedposts,arenotavailableandif
thepostscannotbeallowedtoremainvacantongroundsofmaintaining
efficiencyinadministration,theAppointingAuthoritymaywithfull
justification,referthevacancytotheDepartmentofPersonnelforde-
reservation,subjecttotheconditionthatnoeligiblecandidatebelongingto
thecategoryforwhichthepostisreserved,isavailablewithinthezoneof
considerationplacedbeforetheannualSelectionCommitteesDepartmental
PromotionCommitteefortwoconsecutiveyears.Inotherwords,the
concernedDepartmentsmaymoveproposalforde-reservationinthethird
year.
iv)(a)IncaseofpromotioninGroup-Aservices,thequantumof
reservationforSC,ST(P),STCDinpromotionshallbeasperstipulated
percentageofreservationavailableforthesecategories.However,SCor
ST(P)orST(H)GovernmentServantsinGroup-Aservicesontheir
acceleratedpromotionbyvirtueofruleofreservation,shallnotbeentitledto
consequentialseniority.Theapplicationofgeneralcatch-uprulewillallow
eligibleofficerswhowereseniorinthemeritlistattheentrylevelinGroupA
servicestoregaintheirseniorityinthepromotionalpost,oncetheyare
promotedtothesamecadreasanofficerofreservedcategory,providedthe
officerofthereservedcategoryhadgothispromotionaheadofanofficer
seniortohiminthemeritlist,bywayofacceleratedpromotiononaccountof
reservationinpromotioninaparticularcadre.SeniorityofGovernment
servantsinGroup-Aservicesshallberevisedaccordinglyasperabove
principle.
Further,anofficerpromotedfromGroup-BtoGroup-Aservice,will
alsoregainhisseniorityinGroup-Aserviceonpromotionvis-a-vishis
compatriotinGroup-Bservice,providedthattheofficerwasseniortothe
reservedcategoryofficerintheparticularGroupBcadre,priortothe
promotionofthereservedcategoryofficerintoGroupA.Seniorityofsuch
GroupBGovernmentservantpromotedtoGroupAserviceshallberevised
accordinglyinGroupA.
IfanoccasionarisesduringthepromotionprocessinGroupAservice,
inwhichstipulatedpercentageinrespectofreservedcategoryismetinthe
nextpromotionalgrade,butinthezoneofconsiderationthereare
candidatesofreservedcategorywhoonmeritareentitledtothepromotions,
theircasesshallbeconsideredforpromotiononmerit,ifsuchcandidates
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page73of103
havenotmadeintozoneofconsiderationbywayofanyaccelerated
promotionearlierbyvirtueofruleofreservation.
(b)IncaseofpromotioninGroupB,CandDservices,thequantumof
reservationforSC,ST(P),ST(H)inpromotionshallbeasperstipulated
percentageofreservationofthesecategories.TheSCorST(P)orST(H)
Governmentservantsontheirpromotionbyvirtueofruleofreservationshall
beentitledtoconsequentialseniority.Inotherwordscandidatesbelongingto
General/OBC/MOBCcategoriespromotedlaterwillbeplacedjuniortothe
ScheduledCastes/ScheduledTribesGovernmentservantpromotedearlier.
SeniorityofGovernmentServantsinGroup-B,CandDservicesshallbe
revisedaccordingly.
v)Asregardsthequestionofmaintainingadministrativeefficiencyas
requiredunderArticle335oftheConstitutionofIndia,Hon'bleHighCourtin
WP(C)No.1560/2015(EqualityForum-Vs-SOA&3Ors.)heldthat“......it
shouldbeassessedapplyingobjectivemeasurablestandards”.Assuch,the
AnnualConfidentialReports(ACR)/AnnualPerformanceAppraisalReports
(APAR)oftheincumbentalongwiththelengthofservice,participationin
trainingprogramsconcerningjobrequirements,acquisitionofdegreesor
diplomasonsubjectsifmandatorytothejob,maybeconsideredasthe
yardstickofmeasuringefficiency.
vi)Itshallbetheresponsibilityoftheconcernedappointingauthorityto
provideadequateinformationconcerningtheabovetotheSelection
Committee(DepartmentalPromotionCommittee)whichshallevaluateall
relevantparameterswhilemakingitsrecommendation.
ThisOfficeMemorandumisissuedinsupersessionofearlierO.M.No.
ABP.59/96/163,dated12/03/2002andOMNo.TAD/BC/68/2011/Pt-
I/207,dated03/08/2016.
Thisshallcomeintoforcewithimmediateeffect.
Sd/-TonmoyPratimBorgohain,IAS
SecretarytotheGovernmentofAssam
PersonnelDepartment”
34.TheClausesNo.(iii),(iv)(a)and(v)ofthisOffice
Memorandumarechallengedinthesewritpetitions.Theessence
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page74of103
ofthisOfficeMemorandumisthattheStateofAssamhasdecided
tocontinuethepolicyofreservationandpromotionbuthasdone
awaywiththeconsequentialseniorityofthereservedcategory
candidatesandhasinsteadbroughtinthe“catch-upRule”
enablingtheGeneralcategorycandidateswhowereseniorinthe
feederpoststoregaintheirseniorityinthehigherpostafter
promotionprovidedthereservedcategorycandidatewhowas
promotedearlierdidnotearnafurtherpromotionandtheGeneral
categorycandidatewasseniortothesaidreservedcategory
candidateinthefeedercategory.
35.ItisnolongerresintegrathatArticle16(4A)andArticle16
(4B)hadbeenheldtobeenablingprovisionsbytheApexCourtin
M.Nagaraj(Supra)andthesubsequentJudgments.Ifthese
provisionsareenablingprovisionsthentheStateisatlibertyto
provideforreservationinpromotionwithorwithoutconsequential
seniorityasthecasemaybe,ifsuchadecisionisarrivedatby
theState.BoththeCo-ordinateBenchinBhagawanPator(Supra)
aswellasaDivisionBenchinIvyGohainDasgupta(Supra)had
categoricallyheldthattheStateisatlibertytograntseniorityin
promotiontothereservedcategoryornottograntsuchseniority
inpromotiontothereservedcategory.
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page75of103
36.AcarefulperusaloftheActreadwiththeRuleswillreveal
thatevenpriortothe77
th
and85
th
ConstitutionalAmendments,
theStatebywayoftheActof1978readwiththeRulesof1983
hadmadeprovisionsforreservationinpromotionofinrespectof
reservedcategories.ThisActandtheRulesarenotdepartment
specificandareapplicabletoalltheDepartments/establishments
inrespectofsuchpromotionstobemadetotheGovernment
Servantswhosatisfythecriteria.TheActreadwiththeRules
nowherespecificallyprovidesforgrantofconsequentialseniority
uponpromotionofthereservedcategorycandidates.Itisinthe
absenceofsuchprovisionsthattheStatehadbroughtoutthe
NotificationsandOfficeMemorandumsfromtimetotime.By
OfficeMemorandumdated12.06.1996pursuanttotheJudgment
oftheApexCourtrenderedinUnionofIndia&Ors.Vs.Virpal
SinghChauhan&Ors,reportedin(1995)6SCC684,itwas
providedthatthecandidatespromotedearlierbyvirtueofRuleor
reservation/rostershallnotbeentitledtoseniorityoverhissenior
inthefeedercategoryandthatasanwhentheGeneralcategory
candidatewhowasseniortothereservedcategorycandidatein
thefeedercategoryispromoted,suchGeneralcategorycandidate
withregainhisseniorityoverhisreservedcategory.
Notwithstandingthathewaspromotedsubsequenttothe
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page76of103
reservedcategorycandidate.ThisOfficeMemorandumwas
followedbytheOfficeMemorandumdated12.03.2002bywhich
pursuanttotheAmendmentofArticle16(4A)oftheConstitution
ofIndia.TheStateofAssamconferredconsequentialseniorityto
thereservedcategoryGovernmentservantsontheirpromotionby
virtueoftheRuleofreservation/roster.TheearlierOffice
Memorandumdated12.06.1996wasaccordinglyrevisedand
superseded.ThisOfficeMemorandumwasfollowedbythe
subsequentOfficeMemorandumon03.08.2016.
37.AcarefulperusaloftheOfficeMemorandumdated
03.08.2016revealsthatthisOfficeMemorandumwasnotissued
insupersessionoftheearlierOfficeMemorandumdated
12.03.2002.ItwasinthiscontextthattheOfficeMemorandum
dated03.08.2016wasputtochallengeandtheCo-ordinateBench
inBhagawanPator(Supra)hadessentiallyheldtheClausesputto
challengeintheOfficeMemorandumdated03.08.2016tobenot
validinviewofthefactthatthepositionintermsoftheOffice
Memorandumdated12.03.2002remainedunchanged.
38.Thecontentionofthelearnedcounselforthepetitioners
thatthepolicyofconsequentialseniorityhasalwaysbeeninplace
andfollowedbytheGovernmentofAssamandthesamecould
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page77of103
nothavebeenrecalledorturneddownashadbeensoughttobe
donebytheimpugnedOfficeMemorandumdated18.01.2023,
willrequireexaminationintheaboveconspectusoffacts.
39.Asabovediscussed,althoughwellpriortotheConstitutional
AmendmentsbroughtintoArticle16oftheConstitution,the
StateofAssambytheActof1978readwiththeRulesof1983
hadimplementedthepolicyofreservationonpromotion.Thereis
noquarrelwiththispositiononfacts.Thepointofdiscordis
whethertheActitselfcontemplatesconsequentialseniorityin
respectofthereservedcategorycandidateswhohavebeen
promotedunderthereservationpolicyandthereforetheprinciple
ofconsequentialseniorityhavingbeenconferredundertheNotice
dated12.03.2002andthesourceofpowerforwhichcanbe
tracedbacktotheActof1978,whetherdenialofsuchprinciplein
termsoftheimpugnednotificationwillamounttothevested
rightsofthewritpetitionersbeingtakenaway.
40.TheActof1978readwiththeRuleshavebeenbroughtin
bytheStatewiththeobjectofprovidingreservationin
promotions.Thestatementofobjectsandreasonsclearlyprovide
thattheActproposestoprovideforreservationofvacanciesin
servicesandpostsforthemembersofScheduledCastesand
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page78of103
ScheduledTribeswhoarebackwardclassesandarenot
adequatelyrepresentedintheservicesandpostsintheaffairs
withintheState.AcarefulperusaloftheActincludingthe
AmendmentbroughttheretorevealsthattheActprovidesfor
maintainingapostbasedroster.Cadreisdefined,forthe
purposesofroster,tomeanaparticulargradeandshallcomprise
thenumberofpoststobefilledupbyparticularmodesof
recruitmentintermsoftheapplicablerecruitmentRules.The
rostertobemaintainedshallbeseparatefordirectrecruitmentas
wellasforpromotions.TheRulesof1983havebeenframed
underthepowersconferredunderSection13oftheActof1978.
UnderRule5ofthesaidRules,theproceduretobefollowedis
prescribedinrespectofpromotionsbyselection.UnderRule5(2),
theSelectionCommitteewillconsiderthesuitabilityofall
candidates,thedetailsofwhomarefurnishedbytheappointing
authorityandthereafterrecommendalistofcandidatesfound
suitableforpromotioninorderofpreferencewhichshallbethe
determiningfactorabouttheinterseseniorityofthecandidates
afterpromotion.Rule5(3)providesthatinadditiontothelistas
requiredtobesubmittedunderRule5(2),SelectionCommittee
shallfurnishseparatelistofcandidatesbelongingtoScheduled
Castes,ScheduledTribes(Hills),ScheduledTribes(Plains)and
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page79of103
othersinorderofpreferenceforappointmentagainstthe
vacanciesshowntobereservedforScheduledCastes,Scheduled
Tribes(Hills),ScheduledTribes(Plains)againsttheunreserved
vacancy.UnderRule5(4),theappointingauthorityshallconsider
thelistinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftherespectiveservice
RulesandshallconsulttheAPSCwheresuchconsultationis
necessary.UnderRule6,theappointingauthorityisrequiredto
maintainaregisteraspertheproformaappendedtotheRules
separatelyfordirectrecruitmentandforpromotion.Thisregister
shallbemaintainedinrespectofeveryyearbeginningonthe1
st
ofMarchandendingonthelastdayofFebruaryinthenextyear.
FurtherRule4oftheRulesprovidesforsubmissionofannual
reportshowingthepositionregardingappointmentofcandidates
belongingtoScheduledCastes,ScheduledTribesbydirect
recruitmentandbypromotionshallbesubmittedbyeach
administrativedepartmenttothedepartmentfortheWelfareof
PlainsTribesandBackwardClasses.Therelevantprovisionsof
theRulesareextractedbelowforreadyreference:
“5.Promotionbyselection-Whilefillingupvacanciesbypromotion
thefollowingprocedureshallbefollowed-
1)TheAppointingAuthoritywhilemakingarequesttotheselection
Committee/Boardforrecommendingcandidatesforpromotion,shall
communicatetotheSelectionCommittee/Boardthedetailsaboutthe
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page80of103
reservationfortheScheduledCastesandscheduledTribes(Hills)and
ScheduledTribes(Plains)andshallalsofurnishthedetailsaboutsuch
numberofcandidatesasaretobefurnishedinaccordancewiththe
provisionsoftherespectiveservicerules.Incasehowever,where
thereisnoservicerulesfortheserviceinwhichthepromotionistobe
made,theAppointingAuthoritywillfurnishthedetailsaboutthe
candidatesequaltofourtimesthenumberofvacancies.
(2)TheSelectionCommittee/Boardwillconsiderthesuitabilityofall
thecandidatesthedetailsofwhomarefurnishedbytheappointing
authorityandrecommendalistofcandidatesfoundsuitablefor
promotioninorderofpreference,whichshallbethedetermining
factorabouttheinterseseniorityofthecandidatesafterpromotion.
(3)Inadditiontothelistmentionedinsub-rule(2)above,the
SelectionCommitteeshallfurnishseparatelistofcandidatesbelonging
toScheduledCastes,ScheduledTribes(Hills),ScheduledTribes
(Plains)andothers,inorderofpreferenceforappointingagainstthe
vacanciesshownasreservedforSchedulesCastesandScheduled
Tribes(Hills)andScheduledTribes(Plains)andagainstthe
unreservedvacancies.
(4)TheAppointingAuthorityshallconsiderthelistinaccordancewith
theprovisionsoftherespectiveservicerulesandshallalsoconsultthe
AssamPublicServiceCommissionwheresuchconsultationis
necessary,andshallfinallyapprovethelist.
(5)TheAppointingAuthorityshallthereaftermakepromotionsin
accordancewiththerosterprovidedinClause(1)oftheScheduledto
theActinOrderofpreferenceindicatedinthelists.
(6)Incaseofnonavailabilityofadequatenumberofcandidates
belongingtoScheduledCastesandScheduledTribes(Hills)and
ScheduledTribes(Plains)inthelistmentionedinsub-rules(2)and(3)
ofthisruleandifitisconsideredthatthevacanciesreservedforthese
categoriesofcandidatescannotbeleftvacantintheinterestofPublic
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page81of103
Service,theAppointingAuthoritywithpriorconcurrenceofthe
DepartmentfortheWelfareofPlainsTribesandBackwardClasses
shallissueordersderesrvingthevacanciesgivingoneexplanationfor
thedereservation,andshallthereafterfillupthedereservedvacancies
bypromotingofficersfromthelistfurnishedbytheSelection
Committee/BoardandapprovedbytheAssamPublicService
Commission/AppointingAuthorityinorderofpreference.Thevacancy
sodereservedshallbecarriedforwardtillthevacancyisfilledupbya
candidateinwhosefavourthereservationstoodintheroster.
6.MaintenanceofRegistersoftheappointment-Even
AppointingAuthorityshallmaintaintheregisterasmentionediy
Section12(i)oftheActandalsoinpara(ii)oftheScheduletotheAct
inrespectofeveryyearbeginningonthefirstmarchandendingon
thelastdayofFebruaryinthenextyear,intheproformafurnishedat
Appendix-IIseparatelyfordirectrecruitmentandforpromotion.
7.SubmissionofAnnualReport-Anannualreportshowingthe
positionregardingappointmentofcandidatesbelongingtoScheduled
Castes,ScheduledTribesbydirectrecruitmentandbypromotionshall
besubmittedbyeachAdministrativeDepartmenttoDepartmentfor
theWelfareofPlainsTribesandBackwardClassesinthemanner
prescribedbelow-
(1)Theannualreportshallbefortheperiodfromthefirstdayof
MarchtothelastdayFebruarynext.
(2)AssoonafterthefirstdayMarcheveryyearaspossible,every
AppointingAuthorityshallsenttotherespectiveadministrative
Department-
(i)aStatementintheformgiveninAppendix-IIIshowingthetotal
numberofemployeesineachclassofserviceindicatingthenumberof
employeesbelongingtotheScheduledCastesandScheduledTribes;
and
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page82of103
(ii)aStatementeachintheproformagiveninAppendix-IVAand
Appendix-IVB,showingtheparticularsofappointmentsmadeduring
theyearandthenumberofappointeesbelongingtoScheduledCastes
andScheduledTribes.
(3)TheAdministrativeDepartmentshallconsolidateallthereports
submittedbydifferentAppointingAuthorityunderitsadministrative
controlandsubmitthereportasprovidedinthesubstantiveclauseof
thisrule.”
41.AcarefulperusaloftheActof1978readwiththeRuleswill
revealthatnosuchmandateundertheActortheRulesis
discernable.ThisisqualifiedbythefactthattheGovernmentof
AssamhadfromtimetotimeissuesvariousOfficeMemorandums
eitherconferringconsequentialseniorityorwithdrawingthe
benefitofconsequentialseniority.IftheprovisionsoftheActof
1978andtheRulesof1983aretobereadtogetherthenitis
clearthatthereisnopolicyavailableundertheActof1978read
withtheRulesof1983whichconfersautomaticconsequential
seniorityonthereservedcategorycandidateswhohavebeen
grantedacceleratedpromotiononthereservationpolicy.Inthe
absenceofanyspecificprovisionsthereto,itcannotbeassumed
thatacceleratedpromotionsmadeunderthereservationpolicy
willnecessarilybealsoconferredwiththebenefitsof
consequentialseniority.Onthecontrary,intheabsenceofany
suchspecificprovisionsorcriteriaspecifiedundertheActof1978
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page83of103
readwiththeRulesof1983,itcanonlymeanthatthebenefitsof
acceleratedpromotionwouldnotgrantconsequentialseniority.
Thisbenefitofconsequentialseniorityhasbeenconferredbythe
StatebybringinginOfficeMemorandumdated12.03.2002.
42.ThepetitionersaremembersoftheWaterResources
DepartmentandthePWDDepartment.Promotionsinboththese
DepartmentsaregovernedbytheirownserviceRules.Inthesaid
serviceRules,thereisaprovisionwhichlaysdowntheprocedure
forpromotion.Asperthesaidprocedurelaiddown,the
appointingauthorityistodeterminethelistofeligiblecandidates
aspertheassessmentsmadeintermsoftheRules.Ordinarilythe
Officerswhoareincludedinthezoneofconsiderationarefour(4)
timethenumberofthevacanciesintheorderofseniority.Thisis
astandardpracticeapplicableinallmostdepartmentsincluding
alltheworksdepartmentoftheState.Assuch,theprocessfor
promotionisgovernedbytheserviceRulesandnotbytheActof
1978readwiththeRulesof1983.Therefore,theprocedurelaid
downforpromotionisprovidedindetailundertherespective
ServiceRulesgoverningtheserviceconditionsoftheemployees
ofthevariousdepartments.Thatapart,theServiceRulesalso
providesthattheseniorityofamemberofacadreshallbeinthe
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page84of103
orderofmeritasdeterminedbytheselectioncommittee.Under
suchcircumstances,theclaimofthepetitionersthattheirrights
areinfringedbyvirtueofconsequentialsenioritynotbeing
conferreduponpromotionalsocannotbeaccepted.
43.Assuch,itisreiteratedthattheActof1978readwiththe
Rulesof1983doesnotprovideforanyprovisionorcriteriafor
automaticorconsequentialseniorityuponsuchpromotionof
reservedcategorycandidatesunderthereservationpolicy.The
Actof1978readwiththeRulesof1983merelybringsinalawto
grantreservationinpromotioninrespectofreservedcategory
candidates.Anyadditionalbenefitsofconsequentialseniorityis
notprovidedforundertheActof1978readwiththeRulesof
1983.SuchbenefitshavebeenbroughtorprovidedbytheState
byissuanceofsuchNotificationsorOfficeMemorandumsfrom
timetotime.
44.AperusaloftheOfficeMemorandumdated12.06.1996
revealsthatthebenefitofconsequentialseniorityonpromotion
forreservedcategorycandidateshadbeentakenawaypursuant
totheJudgmentoftheApexCourtrenderedinVirpalSingh
Chauhan(Supra).ThepositionwhichexistedintheStatepriorto
theOfficeMemorandumdated12.06.1996isnotavailablebefore
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page85of103
thisCourt.Evenassumingthatconsequentialseniorityon
promotionofthereservedcategorycandidateswasgrantedby
theStateorwasinplacepriorto12.06.1996,thensuchbenefit
waseithergrantedbyanysuchNotificationthatmayhavebeen
broughtinbytheStateoruponsuchinterpretationasmayhave
beenmadebytheStateofthelawasitexistedthen.However,
nothinghasbeenpointedouttotheCourtthatsuchaprovision
existedintheActaswellastheRulespriorto12.06.1996.
45.Undersuchcircumstances,thecontentionofthelearned
counselforthepetitionerthatintheabsenceofanythingtothe
contrary,reservationandpromotiontothereservedcategory
candidateswouldalsoautomaticallygrantthemthebenefitof
consequentialsenioritycannotbeacceptedandthesameis
thereforerejected.
46.TheOfficeMemorandumdated12.06.2002havingconferred
thebenefitofconsequentialseniorityinreservationorpromotion
toreservedcategorycandidates,wasconferredbytheStateof
AssamandwhichcontinuedtilltheOfficeMemorandumdated
03.08.2016wasbroughtinwhichsoughttoamendthebenefits
grantedundertheOfficeMemorandumof12.03.2002.
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page86of103
47.ThisOfficeMemorandumdated03.08.2016althoughwas
consideredtobebadinlawbytheCo-ordinateBenchin
BhagawanPator(Supra)inviewofthefactthattheearlierOffice
Memorandumdated12.03.2002wasstillholdingthefield.
However,theDivisionBenchinIvyGohainDasgupta(Supra)
overruledtheviewsoftheCo-ordinateBench.BoththeCo-
ordinateBenchaswellastheDivisionBenchhadcategorically
heldthattheStateGovernmentwaswithinitspowerstograntor
nottograntthebenefitofreservationinpromotionalongwith
consequentialseniority.SuchviewheldbytheSingleBenchand
alsobytheDivisionBenchisthecorrectviewashavebeenlaid
downinlawbytheApexCourtinM.Nagaraj(Supra)andthe
catenaoftheJudgmentsthereafter.ThefindingsoftheDivision
BenchinIvyGohainDasgupta(Supra)isnotunderappealand
thereforethesamehasattainedfinalityasondate.
48.TheimpugnedOfficeMemorandumdated18.01.2023and
thecontextinwhichtheearlierOfficeMemorandumdated
03.08.2016wasissuedarelargelyoperatinginthesamesphere.
TheimpugnedOfficeMemorandumdated18.01.2023havealso
beenissuedinsupersessionoftheearlierOfficeMemorandums
dated12.03.2002and03.08.2016.
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page87of103
49.Clause4(A)oftheOfficeMemorandumdated18.01.2023
providesthatGovernmentservantsinthereservedcategorieson
theiracceleratedpromotionundertheRuleorreservationshall
notbeentitledtoconsequentialseniority.Theapplicationof
generalcatch-upRulewillallowtheeligibleofficerswhowere
seniorinthemeritlistattheentrylevelinGroup-Aservicesto
regaintheirseniorityinpromotionalpostoncetheyarepromoted
tothesamecadreastheOfficerofthereservedcategory.The
saidClause4AfurtherprovidessimilarbenefitsfromOfficerswho
arepromotedfromGroup-BtoGroup-Acategory.Italsoprovides
duringtheprocessofpromotionintheGroup-Aservicesinwhich
thestipulatedpercentageofthereservedcategoryalthoughis
metbutinthezoneofconsiderationtherearecandidatesof
reservedcategorywhoonmeritareentitledtothepromotions,
theircaseswillbeconsideredforpromotiononmerit,ifsuch
candidatesarenotinthezoneofconsiderationbywayof
acceleratedpromotionearlierbyvirtueoftheRuleorreservation.
50.ThefirstpartofClause4Aisthepolicyofcatch-upRule
whichasdiscussedbeforehasbeenbroughtinbytheState
supersedingthebenefitsofconsequentialseniorityaswas
broughtinbytheOfficeMemorandumdated12.03.2002.The
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page88of103
supersedingoftheearlierOfficeMemorandumof12.03.2002and
theimplementationofthepolicyofcatch-upRuleoverthe
consequentialsenioritybyitselfcannotbeheldtobebeyondthe
powersoftheStateinasmuchas,ashavebeendiscussedabove,
nosuchpolicyisdiscernableintheActof1978readwiththe
Rulesof1983.Thatapart,theSingleBenchinBhagawanPator
(Supra)aswellastheDivisionBenchinIvyGohainDasgupta
(Supra)hadcategoricallyheldthattheStateGovernmentiswithin
itspowerstograntornottograntconsequentialseniorityin
promotionsofreservedcategorycandidates.Thisismoresoin
viewofthelawlaiddownbytheApexCourtinMNagaraj(Supra)
whereitwasheldArticle16(4A)andArticle16(4B)areenabling
provisionsfortheStatetograntsuchbenefitsiftheStateso
desires.
51.InSudhakarBaburaoNangureVs.NoreshwarRaghunathrao
ShendeandOrs.,reportedin(2020)11SCC399,theApexCourt
wasconsideringachallengemadebyGeneralCategory
candidatestothepromotiongiventoreservedcategory
candidateswithconsequentialseniority.Inthefactsofthecase,
GovernmentResolutiondated20.10.1997providedthatOfficer
belongingtoreservedcategorywastoretainseniorityin
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page89of103
promotionalpost.SubsequentGovernmentResolutiondated
20.03.2003confirmedthatpolicyandalsoclarifiedthatseniority
wouldbegovernedbyregulardateofpromotion.Theappellant
beforetheApexCourt,however,hadfailedtochallengethe
appointmentoftherespondenttothenexthigherpostaswellas
theGovernmentResolutiondated20.03.2003providingfor
consequentialseniority.Itwasinthesecircumstancesthatthe
ApexCourtheldthatthesenioritylistwhichwaschallengedfixing
theseniorityoftherespondentreservedcategorycandidate
abovetheappellantbelongingtotheGeneralcategorycandidate
inthecadreofJDTPwasjustified.TheApexCourtwhile
consideringtheissueshadconsideredtheimportantJudgments
andtheearlierprecedentsinrespectofthereservationin
promotionwithconsequentialseniority.TheApexCourtafter
considerationofalltheJudgmentsreferredtointhesaidcase
rejectedthebillonthegroundthattheappellanthadfailedto
challengetheappointmentofthefirstrespondenttothenext
higherpostaswellasachallengetothecirculardated
20.03.2003providingforconsequentialseniority.Itwasheldby
theApexCourtthatintheearlierroundoflitigation,theApex
Courthavegivenlibertytothepartiestopursuethematter
regardingtheapplicabilityofcatchupRulebeforetheHighCourt
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page90of103
inthefirstinstanceandthenbeforetheSupremeCourtifthe
appellantwasstillaggrieved.However,inthefactsofthecase,
theApexCourtheldthatthechallengethathasbeenraised
beforetheApexCourthasbeendevelopedbeforethisCourt
withoutanybasisinthepleadingsandinthatcontextdeclinedto
entertaintheappeals.However,theApexCourtwhileexamining
thematterhadreferredtotherelevantcaselawsandtheearlier
precedentsoftheApexCourtontheaspectofreservationin
promotionwithconsequentialseniority.Itisrelevanttoreferto
thosediscussionsoftheApexCourtinthesaidJudgmentandfor
thesaidpurpose,thefollowingparagraphsareextracted:
“36.AlineofcasesbeforethisCourtconsideredtheeffectofan
acceleratedpromotiongrantedtoamemberofaScheduledCasteor
ScheduledTribeintermsofconsequentialseniorityinahigherpost.
Morespecifically,thevexedissuewaswhetheramemberofsucha
casteandtribewhoobtainspromotionearlierthanasenior
belongingtothegeneraloropencategoryinthefeedercadrewould
retainthatseniorityonthelatterbeingpromotedtoahigherpost.
37.InUnionofIndiav.VirpalSinghChauhan[Unionof
Indiav.VirpalSinghChauhan,(1995)6SCC684:1996SCC(L&S)1]
(“VirpalSinghChauhan”),atwo-JudgeBenchofthisCourtheldthat
theStatecouldprovidethatacandidatewhohadbeenpromoted
earlieronthebasisofreservationandontheapplicationofthe
rosterwouldnotbeentitledtoseniorityoveraseniorbelongingto
thegeneralcategoryinthefeedercategory.Aseniorbelongingto
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page91of103
thegeneralcategorywhoispromotedtoahigherpostsubsequently
wouldregainseniorityoverthereservedcandidate.
38.ThedecisioninVirpalSinghChauhan[UnionofIndiav.Virpal
SinghChauhan,(1995)6SCC684:1996SCC(L&S)1]ledtothe
Constitution(Eighty-fifthAmendment)Act,2001witheffectfrom17-
6-1995.Clause(4-A),asamended,expandedtheambitoftheearlier
provisionbyenablingtheStatetoalsoprovideforconsequential
seniority,whilemakingtheprovisionforreservationinmattersof
promotion.Clause(4-A)ofArticle16,initspresentform,readsthus:
“16.(4-A)NothinginthisarticleshallpreventtheStatefrom
makinganyprovisionforreservationinmattersofpromotion,with
consequentialseniority,toanyclassorclassesofpostsinthe
servicesundertheStateinfavouroftheScheduledCastesandthe
ScheduledTribeswhich,intheopinionoftheState,arenot
adequatelyrepresentedintheservicesundertheState.”
39.TheprinciplewhichhasbeenenunciatedinVirpalSingh
Chauhan[UnionofIndiav.VirpalSinghChauhan,(1995)6SCC684:
1996SCC(L&S)1]hascometobeknownasthe“catch-up”rule.
InAjitSinghJanujav.StateofPunjab[AjitSinghJanujav.Stateof
Punjab,(1996)2SCC715:1996SCC(L&S)540][“AjitSingh(1)”],a
three-JudgeBenchofthisCourtadoptedthecatch-uprule
propoundedinVirpalSinghChauhan[UnionofIndiav.VirpalSingh
Chauhan,(1995)6SCC684:1996SCC(L&S)1].ThisCourtheld
thatabalancehastobemaintainedsoastoavoidreverse
discriminationandaruleorcircularwhichgivessenioritytoa
candidatebelongingtothereservedcategorypromotedonthebasis
oftherosterpointwouldviolateArticles14and16ofthe
Constitution.
40.Acontraryviewwastakenbyanotherthree-JudgeBench
inJagdishLalv.StateofHaryana[JagdishLalv.StateofHaryana,
(1997)6SCC538:1997SCC(L&S)1550](“JagdishLal”)tothe
effectthatbyvirtueoftheprincipleofcontinuousofficiation,a
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page92of103
candidatebelongingtothereservedcategorywhoispromoted
earlierthanageneralcandidateduetoanacceleratedpromotion
wouldnotloseseniorityinthehighercadre.Thisconflictofdecisions
wasresolvedbyaConstitutionBenchinAjitSingh(2)v.Stateof
Punjab[AjitSingh(2)v.StateofPunjab,(1999)7SCC209:1999
SCC(L&S)1239][“AjitSingh(2)”].TheConstitutionBenchupheld
theprinciplelaiddowninVirpalSinghChauhan[Unionof
Indiav.VirpalSinghChauhan,(1995)6SCC684:1996SCC(L&S)1]
andAjitSingh(1)[AjitSinghJanujav.StateofPunjab,(1996)2SCC
715:1996SCC(L&S)540]anddisapprovedofthedecision
inJagdishLal[JagdishLalv.StateofHaryana,(1997)6SCC538:
1997SCC(L&S)1550].ThisCourtheldthus:[AjitSingh(2)
case[AjitSingh(2)v.StateofPunjab,(1999)7SCC209:1999SCC
(L&S)1239],SCCp.246,para77]
“77.We,therefore,holdthattheroster-pointpromotees(reserved
category)cannotcounttheirseniorityinthepromotedcategoryfrom
thedateoftheircontinuousofficiationinthepromotedpost,—vis-à-
visthegeneralcandidateswhowereseniortotheminthelower
categoryandwhowerelaterpromoted.Ontheotherhand,the
seniorgeneralcandidateatthelowerlevel,ifhereachesthe
promotionallevellaterbutbeforethefurtherpromotionofthe
reservedcandidate—hewillhavetobetreatedassenior,atthe
promotionallevel,tothereservedcandidateevenifthereserved
candidatewasearlierpromotedtothatlevel.Weshallexplainthis
furtherunderPoint3.WealsoholdthatVirpal[Unionof
Indiav.VirpalSinghChauhan,(1995)6SCC684:1996SCC(L&S)1]
andAjitSingh[AjitSinghJanujav.StateofPunjab,(1996)2SCC
715:1996SCC(L&S)540]havebeencorrectlydecidedand
thatJagdishLal[JagdishLalv.StateofHaryana,(1997)6SCC538:
1997SCC(L&S)1550]isnotcorrectlydecided.Points1and2are
decidedaccordingly.”
41.Theconstitutionalvalidityofclauses(4-A)and(4-B)ofArticle16
oftheConstitutionwasdealtwithinadecisionofaConstitution
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page93of103
BenchofthisCourtinNagaraj[M.Nagarajv.UnionofIndia,(2006)
8SCC212:(2007)1SCC(L&S)1013].Nagaraj[M.
Nagarajv.UnionofIndia,(2006)8SCC212:(2007)1SCC(L&S)
1013]laiddownthatthecatch-upruleandtheconceptofthe
consequentialseniorityareessentiallypreceptsofservice
jurisprudence.Theycannot,intheviewoftheConstitutionBench,be
elevatedtothestatusofacomponentofthebasicstructure.These
preceptshavebeenheldtobepracticesasdistinctfrom
constitutionalprinciples.Theconsequenceisthattheydonotlie
beyondtheamendingpowerofParliament:neitherthecatch-up
rulenorconsequentialseniorityareelementsofclauses(1)or(4)of
Article16.Thesehavebeenheldtobetheprinciplesevolvedto
controltheextentofreservation.
42.Thevalidityofclauses(4-A)and(4-B)ofArticle16hasbeen
upheldbytheConstitutionBenchinNagaraj[M.Nagarajv.Unionof
India,(2006)8SCC212:(2007)1SCC(L&S)1013]ontherationale
that“theyretainthecontrollingfactorsorthecompellingreasons,
namely,backwardnessandinadequacyofrepresentationwhich
enablestheStatestoprovideforreservationkeepinginmindthe
overallefficiencyoftheStateadministrationunderArticle335”[M.
Nagarajv.UnionofIndia,(2006)8SCC212atp.278:(2007)1
SCC(L&S)1013].Nagaraj[M.Nagarajv.UnionofIndia,(2006)8
SCC212:(2007)1SCC(L&S)1013]heldthattheStatemust
demonstrateineachcasetheexistenceofcompellingreasons,
namely,(i)backwardness;(ii)inadequacyofrepresentation;and(iii)
overalladministrativeefficiencybeforeprovidingforreservation.
Construingclauses(4-A)and(4-B)ofArticle16tobe
enabling,Nagaraj[M.Nagarajv.UnionofIndia,(2006)8SCC212:
(2007)1SCC(L&S)1013]holdsthatiftheStatewishestoexercise
itsdiscretionundertheenablingprovisions,itmustcollect
quantifiabledatashowingbackwardnessoftheclassaswellas
inadequacyofrepresentationofthatclassinpublicemploymentin
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page94of103
additiontocomplyingwiththenormofefficiencyembodiedinArticle
335.TheCourtheldthus:(SCCp.278,para123)
“123.However,inthiscase,asstatedabove,themainissue
concernsthe“extentofreservation”.InthisregardtheState
concernedwillhavetoshowineachcasetheexistenceofthe
compellingreasons,namely,backwardness,inadequacyof
representationandoveralladministrativeefficiencybeforemaking
provisionforreservation.Asstatedabove,theimpugnedprovisionis
anenablingprovision.TheStateisnotboundtomakereservation
forSCs/STsinmattersofpromotions.However,iftheywishto
exercisetheirdiscretionandmakesuchprovision,theStatehasto
collectquantifiabledatashowingbackwardnessoftheclassand
inadequacyofrepresentationofthatclassinpublicemploymentin
additiontocompliancewithArticle335.Itismadeclearthatevenif
theStatehascompellingreasons,asstatedabove,theStatewill
havetoseethatitsreservationprovisiondoesnotleadto
excessivenesssoastobreachtheceilinglimitof50%orobliterate
thecreamylayerorextendthereservationindefinitely.”
43.IntherecentdecisionofaConstitutionBenchofthisCourt
inJarnailSinghv.LachhmiNarainGupta[JarnailSinghv.Lachhmi
NarainGupta,(2018)10SCC396:(2019)1SCC(L&S)86](“Jarnail
Singh”),Nagaraj[M.Nagarajv.UnionofIndia,(2006)8SCC212:
(2007)1SCC(L&S)1013]hasbeenfollowedsaveandexceptforthe
dictumrequiringtheStatetodemonstratebackwardnessasa
conditionfortheexerciseoftheenablingpowerinmaking
reservationsinpromotionforScheduledCastesandTribes.Thispart
ofthejudgmentinNagaraj[M.Nagarajv.UnionofIndia,(2006)8
SCC212:(2007)1SCC(L&S)1013]hasbeenheldtobe
inconsistentwiththenine-JudgeBenchdecisioninIndra
Sawhney[IndraSawhneyv.UnionofIndia,1992Supp(3)SCC217:
1992SCC(L&S)Supp1].TheCourtinJarnailSingh[Jarnail
Singhv.LachhmiNarainGupta,(2018)10SCC396:(2019)1SCC
(L&S)86]heldthus:(SCCp.423,para23)
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page95of103
“23.…Itisclear,therefore,thatNagaraj[M.Nagarajv.Unionof
India,(2006)8SCC212:(2007)1SCC(L&S)1013]has,in
unmistakableterms,statedthattheStatehastocollectquantifiable
datashowingbackwardnessoftheScheduledCastesandthe
ScheduledTribes.Weareafraidthatthisportionofthejudgmentis
directlycontrarytothenine-JudgeBenchinIndraSawhney[Indra
Sawhneyv.UnionofIndia,1992Supp(3)SCC217:1992SCC(L&S)
Supp1].JeevanReddy,J.,speakingforhimselfandthreeother
learnedJudges,hadclearlyheld:
‘[t]hetestorrequirementofsocialandeducationalbackwardness
cannotbeappliedtotheScheduledCastesandScheduledTribes,
whoindubitablyfallwithintheexpression“backwardclassof
citizens”.’(SeeSCCp.727,paras796to797.)”
R.F.Nariman,J.speakingfortheConstitutionBenchheldthus:(SCC
p.424,para24)
“24.…Thus,itisclearthatwhenNagaraj[M.Nagarajv.Unionof
India,(2006)8SCC212:(2007)1SCC(L&S)1013]requiredthe
Statestocollectquantifiabledataonbackwardness,insofaras
ScheduledCastesandScheduledTribesareconcerned,thiswould
clearlybecontrarytoIndraSawhney[IndraSawhneyv.Unionof
India,1992Supp(3)SCC217:1992SCC(L&S)Supp1]andwould
havetobedeclaredtobebadonthisground.”
44.ThedecisioninNagaraj[M.Nagarajv.UnionofIndia,(2006)8
SCC212:(2007)1SCC(L&S)1013]hasbeenfollowedinseveral
subsequentdecisionsofthisCourt:(i)SurajBhanMeenav.Stateof
Rajasthan[SurajBhanMeenav.StateofRajasthan,(2011)1SCC
467:(2011)1SCC(L&S)1](“SurajBhanMeena”);(ii)U.P.Power
Corpn.Ltd.v.RajeshKumar[U.P.PowerCorpn.Ltd.v.Rajesh
Kumar,(2012)7SCC1:(2012)2SCC(L&S)289](“U.P.Power
Corpn.”);(iii)S.PanneerSelvamv.StateofT.N.[S.Panneer
Selvamv.StateofT.N.,(2015)10SCC292:(2016)1SCC(L&S)76]
(“PanneerSelvam”);and(iv)B.K.Pavitrav.UnionofIndia[B.K.
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page96of103
Pavitrav.UnionofIndia,(2017)4SCC620:(2017)2SCC(L&S)
128](“B.K.Pavitra”).
45.InSurajBhanMeena[SurajBhanMeenav.StateofRajasthan,
(2011)1SCC467:(2011)1SCC(L&S)1]thequestionwhicharose
forconsiderationbeforeatwo-JudgeBenchofthisCourtwas
formulatedthus:(SCCp.480,para49)
“49.Theprimaryquestionwhichwearecalledupontoanswerin
thesefivespecialleavepetitionsiswhethertheamendedprovisions
ofArticle16(4-A)oftheConstitutionintendedthatthosebelonging
totheScheduledCasteandScheduledTribecommunities,whohad
beenpromotedagainstreservedquota,wouldalsobeentitledto
consequentialseniorityonaccountofsuchpromotions,orwouldthe
“catch-up”ruleprevail.”
Answeringthisquestion,thisCourtheldthus:(SCCp.484,para66)
“66.ThepositionafterthedecisioninM.Nagarajcase[M.
Nagarajv.UnionofIndia,(2006)8SCC212:(2007)1SCC(L&S)
1013]isthatreservationofpostsinpromotionisdependentonthe
inadequacyofrepresentationofmembersoftheScheduledCastes
andScheduledTribesandBackwardClassesandsubjecttothe
conditionofascertainingastowhethersuchreservationwasatall
required.”
TheCourtheldthatsincenoexercisewascarriedoutbytheStateof
Rajasthantoacquirequantifiabledataregardingtheinadequacyof
representationofScheduledCastesandTribesinpublicservicesin
theState,theHighCourtwasjustifiedinquashingthenotifications
providingforconsequentialseniorityandpromotion.
46.InPanneerSelvam[S.PanneerSelvamv.StateofT.N.,(2015)
10SCC292:(2016)1SCC(L&S)76]theissuebeforeatwo-Judge
BenchofthisCourtwasthus:(SCCp.298,para1)
“1.1.(i)IntheabsenceofpolicydecisiontakenbytheState/rules
framedpursuanttotheenablingprovisionofArticle16(4-A)ofthe
ConstitutionofIndia,whetherareservedcategorycandidate
promotedonthebasisofreservationearlierthanhisseniorgeneral
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page97of103
categorycandidateinthefeedercategorycanclaimconsequential
seniorityinthepromotionalpost?”
Rule12ofthesub-rulestotheTamilNaduHighwaysand
EngineeringServiceprovidedasfollows:
“12.Reservationofappointment.—Theruleofreservationof
appointments(GeneralRule22)shallapplytotheappointmentof
AssistantDivisionalEngineersbydirectrecruitmentandrecruitment
bytransferseparatelyandtheappointmentofAssistantEngineersby
directrecruitment.”
UnderRule12,reservedcategoryAssistantandJuniorEngineershad
securedpromotionasAssistantDivisionalEngineersearlierthantheir
counterpartsbelongingtothegeneralcategoryasaresultof
acceleratedpromotionfollowingtheruleofreservation.
47.R.Banumathi,J.speakingforthetwo-JudgeBenchheldthat
Rule12didnotprovideforconsequentialsenioritytocandidates
drawnfromthereservedcategorywhoaregrantedaccelerated
promotionand,intheabsenceofaspecificprovisionorpolicy,
consequentialsenioritycouldnotbegranted:(PanneerSelvam
case[S.PanneerSelvamv.StateofT.N.,(2015)10SCC292:(2016)
1SCC(L&S)76],SCCp.308,para26)
“26.ThetruelegislativeintentunderArticle16(4-A)ofthe
ConstitutionistoenabletheStatetomakeprovisionorframerules
givingconsequentialseniorityfortheacceleratedpromotiongained
basedontheruleofreservation.Rule12evidentlydoesnotprovide
fortheconsequentialseniorityforreservedcategorypromoteesat
anypointoftime.Theconsequentialseniorityforsuchreserved
categorypromoteescanbefixedonlyifthereisexpressprovisionfor
suchreservedcategorypromoteesintheStaterules.Intheabsence
ofanyspecificprovisionorpolicydecisiontakenbytheState
Governmentforconsequentialseniorityforreservedcategory
acceleratedpromotees,thereisnoquestionofautomaticapplication
ofArticle16(4-A)oftheConstitution.”
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page98of103
TheCourtnotedthattheappellantswhobelongedtothegeneral
categorywerenotquestioningtheacceleratedpromotiongrantedto
theircounterpartsfromthereservedcategorybyfollowingtherule
ofreservationbutwereonlyseekingtheapplicationofthecatch-up
ruleinthefixationofseniorityinthepromotionalcadre.TheCourt
heldthatintheabsenceofanyprovisionofconsequentialseniorityin
therules,thecatch-uprulewillprevail:(PanneerSelvamcase[S.
PanneerSelvamv.StateofT.N.,(2015)10SCC292:(2016)1SCC
(L&S)76],SCCpp.312-13,para36)
“36.Intheabsenceofanyprovisionforconsequentialseniorityin
therules,the“catch-uprule”willbeapplicableandtheroster-point
reservedcategorypromoteescannotcounttheirseniorityinthe
promotedcategoryfromthedateoftheirpromotionandthesenior
generalcandidatesiflaterreachthepromotionallevel,general
candidateswillregaintheirseniority.TheDivisionBenchappearsto
haveproceeded[V.Vivekanandanv.S.Pannerselvam,2011SCC
OnLineMad2241:(2012)2MadLJ346]onanerroneousfooting
thatArticle16(4-A)oftheConstitutionofIndiaautomaticallygives
theconsequentialseniorityinadditiontoacceleratedpromotionto
theroster-pointpromoteesandthejudgmentoftheDivisionBench
cannotbesustained.”
48.ThedecisioninPanneerSelvam[S.PanneerSelvamv.Stateof
T.N.,(2015)10SCC292:(2016)1SCC(L&S)76]hassincebeen
followedbyatwo-JudgeBenchofthisCourtinB.K.Pavitra[B.K.
Pavitrav.UnionofIndia,(2017)4SCC620:(2017)2SCC(L&S)
128].A.K.Goel,J.speakingfortheBenchheldthus:(B.K.Pavitra
case[B.K.Pavitrav.UnionofIndia,(2017)4SCC620:(2017)2
SCC(L&S)128],SCCp.641,para29)
“29.ItisclearfromtheabovediscussioninS.Panneer
Selvamv.StateofT.N.[S.PanneerSelvamv.StateofT.N.,(2015)
10SCC292:(2016)1SCC(L&S)76]thatexercisefordetermining
“inadequacyofrepresentation”,“backwardness”and“overall
efficiency”,isamustforexerciseofpowerunderArticle16(4-A).
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page99of103
Merefactthatthereisnoproportionaterepresentationin
promotionalpostsforthepopulationofSCsandSTsisnotbyitself
enoughtograntconsequentialsenioritytopromoteeswhoare
otherwisejuniorandtherebydenyingsenioritytothosewhoare
givenpromotionlateronaccountofreservationpolicy.Itisforthe
Statetoplacematerialonrecordthattherewascompellingnecessity
forexerciseofsuchpoweranddecisionoftheStatewasbasedon
materialincludingthestudythatoverallefficiencyisnot
compromised.Inthepresentcase,nosuchexercisehasbeen
undertaken.TheHighCourterroneouslyobserved[M.
Nagarajv.UnionofIndia,2010SCCOnLineKar5407]thatitwasfor
thepetitionerstopleadandprovethattheoverallefficiencywas
adverselyaffectedbygivingconsequentialsenioritytojuniorpersons
whogotpromotiononaccountofreservation.Pleathatpersons
promotedatthesametimewereallowedtoretaintheirseniorityin
thelowercadreisuntenableandignoresthefactthatasenior
personmaybepromotedlaterandnotatthesametimeonaccount
ofrosterpointreservation.Deprivinghimofhisseniorityaffectshis
furtherchancesofpromotion.Furtherpleathatsenioritywasnota
fundamentalrightisequallywithoutanymeritinthepresentcontext.
InabsenceofexerciseunderArticle16(4-A),itisthe“catch-up”rule
whichfullyapplies.Itisnotnecessarytogointothequestion
whethertheCorporationconcernedhadadoptedtheruleof
consequentialseniority.”
67.InSurajBhanMeena[SurajBhanMeenav.StateofRajasthan,
(2011)1SCC467:(2011)1SCC(L&S)1],thepetitionershad
challengedaNotificationdated25-4-2008issuedbytheStateof
RajasthanundertheprovisotoArticle309oftheConstitution,
amendingtheRajasthan“VariousServiceRules”witheffectfrom28-
12-2012.Thiswaschallengedonthegroundthatthedeletion
amountedtogivingconsequentialsenioritytocandidatesbelonging
totheScheduledCastesandTribeswithoutcarryingouttheexercise
ofcollectingquantifiabledata.
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page100of103
68.InU.P.PowerCorpn.[U.P.PowerCorpn.Ltd.v.RajeshKumar,
(2012)7SCC1:(2012)2SCC(L&S)289],therewasaspecific
challengebeforetheHighCourtofJudicatureatAllahabadtothe
validityofRule8-AoftheU.P.GovernmentServantsSeniorityRules,
2007.Section3oftheUttarPradeshPublicServices(Reservationfor
ScheduledCastes,ScheduledTribesandOtherBackwardClasses)
Act,1994andRule8-Aofthe1991Rulesbroughtintoforcein2007
werechallengedasbeingultraviresandunconstitutional.Asa
consequence,theconsequentialordersrelatingtosenioritywere
impugned.Onceagain,thechallengewasonthegroundthatthe
exercisewhichwasrequiredinpursuanceofthedecisionofthis
CourtinNagaraj[M.Nagarajv.UnionofIndia,(2006)8SCC212:
(2007)1SCC(L&S)1013]hadnotbeencarriedout.
69.InPanneerSelvam[S.PanneerSelvamv.StateofT.N.,(2015)
10SCC292:(2016)1SCC(L&S)76],Rule12oftheSpecialRules
toTamilNaduHighwaysEngineeringServiceprovidedthattherule
ofreservationofappointments(GeneralRule22)shallapplytothe
appointmentofAssistantDivisionalEngineersbydirectrecruitment
andbytransferoftheappointmentofAssistantEngineers.ThisCourt
heldthatRule12didnotprovideforconsequentialseniorityand,in
theabsenceofaprovisionforconsequentialsenioritycatch-uprule
willbeapplicable.ThelitigationinPanneerSelvam[S.Panneer
Selvamv.StateofT.N.,(2015)10SCC292:(2016)1SCC(L&S)76]
didnotengageasituationsuchasthepresentwheretheGRdated
20-3-2003specificallyprovidesforconsequentialseniority.
70.ThedecisioninB.K.Pavitra[B.K.Pavitrav.UnionofIndia,(2017)
4SCC620:(2017)2SCC(L&S)128]involvedaspecificchallengeto
thevalidityoftheKarnatakaDeterminationofSeniorityofthe
GovernmentServantspromotedonthebasisofReservation(tothe
postsintheCivilServicesoftheState)Act,2002.TheActwasstruck
downbyatwo-JudgeBenchofthisCourtonthegroundthatthe
Statehadnotundertakenanexercisetoestablisha“compelling
necessity”sincenomaterialhadbeenplacedbytheStateonrecord.
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page101of103
71.Allthesedecisions(exceptthedecisioninPanneerSelvam[S.
PanneerSelvamv.StateofT.N.,(2015)10SCC292:(2016)1SCC
(L&S)76])involvedaspecificchallengetothevalidityof
administrativenotificationsor,asthecasemaybe,anActofthe
legislature.PanneerSelvam[S.PanneerSelvamv.StateofT.N.,
(2015)10SCC292:(2016)1SCC(L&S)76]wasacasewherein
theabsenceofaprovisionforconsequentialseniority,itwasheld
thatthecatch-uprulewillprevail.Inthepresentcase,thereisa
specificprovisionforconsequentialseniorityintheGRdated20-3-
2003.AbsentachallengetotheGRintheproceedingswhichwere
initiatedbeforetheTribunal,suchachallengecannotbeentertained
atthisstage.”
52.InviewofthefactthattheJudgmentsreferredabovehave
alsobeenreferredtoatthebarassuchnofurtherdiscussionsis
necessaryinrespectoftheJudgmentsreferredtobytherival
counselinsupportoftheircontentionsinrespectoftheissueof
reservationonpromotionwithconsequentialseniority.
53.Therefore,theconsistentviewsbothbytheApexCourtas
wellasbyaDivisionBenchofthisCourthavingheldthatthe
Stateiswithinitslibertytograntornottograntthebenefitof
consequentialseniorityduringpromotionsofreservedcategory
candidates,theimpugnedOfficeMemorandumdated18.01.2023
bringinginthepolicyofcatch-upRuleandsupersedingtheearlier
policyofconsequentialsenioritycannotbeheldtobebadinlaw.
54.ThesubsequentpartofClause4Awhereby,itisprovided
thatwherenotwithstandingthereservedquotahavingbeenmet
bythereservedcategorycandidates,iftherearesuitable
W.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page102of103
candidatesbelongingtothereservedcategoryinthezoneof
consideration,thensuchcandidatescanbeconsideredprovided
thesecandidatesdidnotgainthebenefitofacceleratedseniority
duringtheirpromotionsbyvirtueoftheRuleofreservationalso
cannotbeheldtobeincongruous.IfthefirstpartofClause4Ais
heldtobevalidthenthelaterpartofClause4Awhichprovides
forconsiderationofthosereservedcategorycandidatesfor
promotionifthereotherwisewithinthezoneofconsiderationand
theydidnotgetthebenefitsofconsequentialseniorityduring
theirpromotionunderthereservationpolicyisalsorequiredtobe
consequentiallyheldtobevalidasitisasequeltothepolicyof
theStateGovernmentofgrantingreservationandpromotionbut
withoutconsequentialseniority.Nofaultcanbefoundwithregard
tosuchpolicybeingimplementedbytheState.Theclaimofthe
petitionersthatbytheimpugnednotification,thenvestedright
havebeensoughttobetakenawayisalsonotmadeoutand
thereforesuchclaimsarealsorejected.
55.ThatapartthesecondpartofClause4Aisparameteriawith
Clause4oftheearlierOfficeMemorandumdated03.08.2016and
whichprovisionshasalreadybeenupheldbytheDivisionBench
ofthisCourtinIvyGohainDasgupta(Supra).TheDivisionBench
Order downloaded on 04-08-2025 10:07:13 PMW.P(C)No.363/2023&Ors Page103of103
haddeclinedtointerferewiththeClause4oftheOffice
Memorandumdated03.08.2016.ThisJudgmentoftheDivision
Benchhasnotbeensubsequentlyassailedandtherefore,the
samehasattainedfinality.Consequently,thefindingsofthe
DivisionBenchinIvyGohainDasgupta(Supra)areequally
bindingonthisCourt.
56.Inviewofalltheabovediscussionsheld,thewritpetitions
fail,theprayersinthewritpetitionsarefoundtobedevoidof
meritandtherefore,thewritpetitionsarerejected.Noorderasto
cost.
57.PendingI.A.sarealsodisposedof.
JUDGE
ComparingAssistant
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