PARTHASARATHI,J. - (1.) The questions relating to the integration of the personnel of the Public Works Department of the erstwhile State of Hyderabad and their absorption within the framework of the Engineering Service of Andhra Pradesh have given rise to acute controversies. As a result of a reference made by Sharfuddin Ahmed and Vaidva. JJ. the cases mentioned above have been set down for hearing before us.
(2.) It may be mentioned at the outset that the Supervisors, who have launched these proceedings are not holders of degrees in Engineering. They were awarded Upper Subordinate (U. S.) or O. C. E. certificates by the Osmania Engineering College. They were initially recruited to the cadre of sub-overseers. With one exception all of them were promoted to the cadre of Supervisors before the formation of the State of Andhra Pradesh on November, 1, 1956.
(3.) In order to appreciate the true perspective of the points debated before us at no mean length, it is helpful to add by way of preface a clear picture of the organisation and structure of the Engineering service of the Hyderabad State. The Gazetted ranks of the personnel were divided into two classes. Class I comprised of several grades with the Chief Engineer at the top. the Superintending Engineer and the Executive Engineer coming thereafter in that order, with the Assistant Engineer at the lowest rung. In class II of the Gazetted Officers, the sole category was that of Sub-Engineers. The notification embodying the rules framed under Article 309 of the Constitution of India Published on May 28, 1954. shows that the aggregate strength of Class I Officers was only 112. This was exclusive of the Electricity Branch of the service. The break up figures are as follows : 3 Chief Engineers posts of which one was temporary: 12 posts of Superintending Engineers including 5 temporary ones. 36 Executive Engineers of whom 16 held posts on temporary tenure. Lastly there were, in class I 64 Assistant Engineers, of whom 25 were placed on temporary tenure. The class II Posts of Sub-Engineers were manned by 26 persons and out of them 8 were held on temporary basis.;