Devendra Kumar Arora, J. - (1.) Heard Mr. A.M. Tripathi, learned Counsel for the petitioners, Mr. Lalit Shukla, learned Counsel for the opposite parties Nos. 1 and 2-Bank and Mr. Shamshad Ahmad Khan, learned Counsel for opposite parties Nos. 3 to 18.
(2.) Petitioners have approached this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, challenging the order dated 24.11.2004 issued by the General Manager, Barabanki Gramin Bank, Head Office, Dewa Road, Barabanki contained in Annexure No.1 to the writ petition, so far as it relate to fixing of the bench mark i.e. 55 marks in the promotion from Clerk to Officer Scale-I in the Bank. Petitioners have also challenged the promotion orders of all the juniors to them after summoning the originals from the Bank authorities and consider the promotion of petitioners from Clerks to Officer Scale-I from the date which they have promoted the juniors to petitioners from Clerks to Officer Scale-I.
(3.) Shorn off unnecessary details the facts of the case are as under : Barabanki Gramin Bank is one of the Regional Rural Banks established under Section 3 of the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976 for the purpose of developing economy by providing credit and other facilities to the agriculturists and artisans etc. The Sponsor Bank of the Barabanki Gramin Bank is the Bank of India. Section 17 of the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976 provides that a Regional Rural Bank may appoint such number of officers and other employees, as may be, considered necessary and may determine the terms and conditions of their appointment.;