AUGUSTINE GEORGE MASIH - (1.) BY this order, I propose to dispose of two writ petitions i.e.CWP Nos.11060 and 12354 of 2010 as common questions of law and fact are involved therein. For the sake of convenience, facts are being taken from CWP No.11060 of 2010 as counsel for the parties have addressed arguments in this case.
(2.) PETITIONERS have approached this Court claiming appointment to the posts of Multipurpose Health Worker which were advertised on 7.6.2008 and petitioners' candidature have been rejected on the ground that they do not possess the Multipurpose Health Workers' Training Course Diploma. Counsel for the petitioners contends that the petitioners possess Sanitary Inspectors' Diploma which is equivalent to that of Multipurpose Health Workers' Training Course. He, on this basis, contends that the petitioners are entitled to appointment to the posts of Multipurpose Health Workers (Male). His further contention is that the rejection of the candidature of the petitioners on the ground that they do not possess the required qualification, cannot sustain. On the other hand, counsel for the respondents submits that the Diploma possessed by the petitioners is of one year whereas the Multipurpose Health Workers' Course is of one and a half years and, therefore, these two diplomas cannot be equated. His further contention is that a specific educational qualification has been sought for by the employer which cannot be substituted at the asking of the petitioners. He, on this basis, contends that the present writ petitions deserve to be dismissed.
(3.) I have considered the submissions made by the counsel for the parties and gone through the records of the case. Perusal of the diplomas, copies of which have been attached along with the writ petition as Annexure P-4 (colly), would indicate that the said course is only for one year whereas the Multipurpose Health Workers' Course is of one and a half years duration which is apparent from the letter dated 12.12.1976, attached with the writ petition as Annexure P-1, wherein one year Sanitary Inspector's Course is sought to be converted to one and a half year's Multipurpose Health Workers' Course. If the Multipurpose;