JUDGEMENT
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(1.) WE have heard the learned Counsel for the parties
at length. We have perused the order passed by the learned Single Judge which
reads as under : "the petitioner is permitted to appear for the interview for the purpose of
selection for appointment to the post in question, as prayed for in the writ
petition, along with other sponsored candidates on or before 30th of December,
2006 or any other subsequent date or dates. The case of the petitioner will
be considered at par with other sponsored candidates for such selection. This writ petition is, thus, disposed of. There will be no order as to costs. Learned Advocate for the writ petition is given liberty to communicate the
gist of the order to the concerned authority. "
(2.) A perusal of the aforesaid order shows that the same has been passed at
the first hearing of the matter. We are of the considered opinion, that the
aforesaid order cannot be sustained on the simple ground that the order finally
disposing of a writ petition must be a speaking order. Such an order can only
be passed after hearing the Counsel for all the affected parties. In normal
circumstances it ought to be made-only after the parties have been given an
opportunity to place on record their respective cases by way of affidavit, written
statement or otherwise. On numerous occasions the Supreme Court has
observed that short cryptic orders disposing of the writ petitions are not
appropriate for disposing of the matters finally. In our opinion, this appeal
cannot be disposed of finally at this stage as a large number of writ petitions
have been disposed of and are being disposed of by this Court relying on a
special Bench judgment of this Court in the case of Rabindra Nath Mahata vs. State of West Bengal and Ors. In our opinion, the aforesaid judgment does not lay
down the proposition that as soon as an individual files a writ petition and
claims that he has not been considered, as his name has not been sponsored by
the Employment Exchange would automatically be entitled to the order that
he be interviewed along with the sponsored candidates. Such a direction would
be contrary to Article 14 of the Constitution as well as the law laid down by the
supreme Court in a catena of judgments. The Supreme Court has categorically
laid down in the case of Arun Kumar Nayek vs. Union of India and Ors. reported
in 2006 (8) SCC 111 that advertisement for vacancies in a newspaper having
wider circulation, announcement on Radio, Television and Employment
newspaper bulletins are essential requirements for filling up vacancies on
government posts as well as posts in Government instrumentality such as
boards, Corporations and Co-operative Societies etc. Employment in a school
would certainly fall within the definition of 'public employment'. Such
employment cannot be limited only to candidates who have been sponsored by
the Employment Exchange. The relevant observations in paragraph 9 of the
said judgment are as under : "9. This Court in Visweshwara Rao, therefore, held that intimation to the
employment exchange about the vacancy and candidates sponsored from
the employment exchange is mandatory. This Court also held that in addition
and consistent with the principle of fair play, justice and equal opportunity,
the appropriate department or establishment should also call for the names
by publication in the newspapers having wider circulation, announcement
on radio, television and employment news bulletins and consider all the
candidates who have applied. This view was taken to afford equal opportunity
to all the eligible candidates in the matter of employment. The rationale
behind such direction is also consistent with the sound public policy that
wider the opportunity of the notice of vacancy by wider publication in the
newspapers, radio, television and employment news bulletin, the better
candidates with better qualifications are attracted, so that adequate choices
are made available and the best candidates would be selected and appointed
to subserve the public interest better. "
(3.) SIMILAR observations have been made in the case of Excise Superintendent,
malkapatnam, Krishna District, A. P. vs. K. B. N, Visweshwara Rao and Ors. reported in 1996 (6) SCC 216. In paragraph 6 of the judgment it has been
observed as follows : "6. Having regard to the respective contentions, we are of the view that
contention of the respondents is more acceptable which would be consistent
with the principles of fair play, justice and equal opportunity. It is common
knowledge that many a candidate is unable to have the names sponsored,
though their names are either registered or are waiting to be registered in
the employment exchange, with the result that the choice of selection is
restricted to only such of the candidates whose names come to be sponsored
by the employment exchange. Under these circumstances, many a deserving
candidate is deprived of the right to be considered for appointment to a post
under the State. Fetter view appears to be that it should be mandatory for
the requisitioning authority/establishment to intimate the employment
exchange and employment exchange should sponsor the names of the
candidates to the requisitioning departments for selection strictly according
to seniority and reservation, as per requisition. In addition, the appropriate
department or undertaking or establishment should call for the names by
publication in the newspapers having wider circulation and also display on
their office notice boards or announce on radio, television and employment
news bulletins; and then consider the cases of all the candidates who have
applied. If this procedure is adopted, fair play would be subserved. The
equality of opportunity in the matter of employment would be available to
all eligible candidates. ";
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