Satish Kumar Mittal, J. - (1.) The petitioners are working as Multi-purpose Health Workers (Female and Male) in the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab for the last more than 15 years. It has been stated that all the petitioners are graduates and with the passage of time they have acquired an experience and proficiency in the said Department. It has been also stated that the petitioners have undergone training as Community Health Workers organised by the Health Department and have a long experience in community education in Health.
(2.) In the present writ petition the petitioners are praying for quashing of the Advertisement dated 2.2.2012 (Annexure P-6) vide which the respondent- Department has advertised 90 posts of Block Extension Educators by way of direct recruitment with the qualifications that (i) the candidate must be graduate from a recognised university or institution; and (ii) should possess a diploma in Journalism from a recognised university or institution.
(3.) It is the case of the petitioners that most of the aforesaid posts were existing prior to coming into force of the Punjab Health and Family Welfare Technical (Group-C) Service Rules, 2007 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Rules of 2007'), therefore, those posts should be filled up according to the old Regulations which were in force prior to coming into force of the Rules of 2007. The petitioners have also challenged the constitutionality of part of the Rules of 2007 i.e. entry at Serial No. 42 of Appendix 'B' which provides for recruitment on the post of Block Extension Educator 100% by way of direct appointment with the aforesaid educational qualification.;