- (1.) The present writ petition has been filed under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India praying for quashing of order dated 21.12.1993 (Annexure P-3) passed by the Chief Engineer/T.S. Punjab State Electricity Board, Patiala (henceforth to be referred as 'the Board'), whereby respondents No.2 to 9 have been appointed as Test Mechanics by way of stop gap arrangement and for quashing of circular dated 22.12.1993 (Annexure P- 4) wherein the Board has decided to fill up the posts of Test Mechanics of direct recruitment quota out of the employees already working in the Board.
(2.) The posts of Test Mechanic were specifically earmarked for promotion quota as well as direct recruitment.
(3.) It is the case of the petitioners that 18 posts of Test Mechanic were lying vacant in the Board since 1990. The Board had decided to fill up those posts out of the working departmental candidates and consequently issued a letter dated 22.10.1993 (Annexure P-1) prescribing the qualification as was approved by the Board vide its office order No.295/Eng-II (32) dated 10.09.1974, which reads as under: "Qualification for Test Mechanics Should have passed 2 years Craftsman Course in the Trades of Electrician Instrument Mechanic from any Industrial Training Institute. OR Matriculation Examination and put in at least five years practical experience as Laboratory Attendant subject to his selection in the interview/test in connection with his knowledge or understanding of the equipment on which he is working.";