- (1.) The Petitioners were working as Clerks on being recruited/ appointed in the Punjab Education Department. It is not in dispute that at the time of their appointment, their service conditions were governed by regulations of Punjab Education Department (Subordinate Offices) Clerical Service Rules, 1941 (hereinafter referred to as "the Rules"). At the time of the filing of the writ petition, they have completed 15 or 20 years of service. The next promotion from the post of Clerk is to the post of Senior Clerk/Assistant. Rule 6 of the Rules aforesaid deals with the method of appointment to various cadres of service. In the Rule aforesaid, following three modes are prescribed for appointment to the post of Senior Clerk/Assistant: 6(1) Posts in the service shall be filled-Method of appointment. (a) XX XX XX (b) in the case of senior clerk in the grade of Rs. 80-5-110/5-150; (i) by promotion from the post of Junior Clerk; (ii) by transfer of an official already in Government service; or (iii) by direct appointment.
(2.) The Petitioners are seeking appointment by promotion from the post of Junior Clerk/Clerk. It is not stated in the petition as to when the Petitioners became due for promotions. In the year 1984, the State notified Punjab State Assistants Grade Examination Rules, 1984 (hereinafter referred to as the "1984 Rules"),--vide notification dated 11th April, 1984. Some of the relevant 1984 Rules are noticed hereunder: 2. Definitions.--In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) XX XX (b) XX XX (c) "Government" means the Government of the State of Punjab in the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms. (d) . XX XX (e) "Post of Assistant" means a civil post or a post in civil service under the State of Punjab designated as Assistant and includes all such posts, higher in rank to that of the post of Clerk, as are in the same or in a identical pay scale and carry responsibilities similar to or identical with those of the post of Assistant, by whatever designation they be called; (f) XX XX (g) "Provisional appointment" means an appointment by promotion of a person to the post of Assistant before qualifying the test prescribed in the relevant service rules or in these rules, as the case may be, with or without a condition of qualifying the test imposed in the order of appointment; and (h) "test" means a written qualifying examination conducted by the Board, under these rules. (i) XX XX 4. Eligibility for promotion to the post of Assistant: (1) No person shall be eligible for appointment by promotion to the post of Assistant unless in addition to fulfilling the qualifications and experience prescribed for appointment by promotion to the post of Assistant, he qualifies the Test; Provided that a person who has already qualified the Assistant Grade Examination inter alia in terms of Punjab Government circular No. 4868 (II-57)/21176, dated the 23rd October, 1957, or who was holding on regular basis the post of Assistant on the 23rd October, 1957, shall not be required to qualify the test: Provided further that if a person holding the post of Assistant or a higher post, on provisional basis, on the commencement of these rules is of the age of fifty years or more; she shall also not be required to qualify the test; Provided further that a person who has been appointed by promotion to the post of Assistant or to any higher post on provisional basis before the commencement of these rules, shall be required to qualify the test within a period of three years from such commencement and failure to qualify the test within the specified period shall result in reversion of such person to the post of clerk or to the post, by whatever designation called, from which he was appointed by promotion to the post of Assistant on provisional basis. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in Sub-rule (1) where no person, who has qualified the test, is available for promotion, to the post of Assistant in a service, the appointing authority may appoint a person by promotion to the post of Assistant on provisional basis till a person who has so qualified the test becomes available in that service. 5. XX XX 6. XX XX 7. persons eligible to sit in test.--All persons holding the posts of clerks or other posts, by whatever designation called from which they could appointed by promotion to the posts of Assistants, shall be eligible to sit in the test. 8. XX XX 9. XX XX 10. Saving of seniority.--Where a person who was promoted as Assistant before the commencement of these rules on provisional basis subject to his qualifying the test shall be liable to reversion to the post from which he was promoted if he fails to qualify the test within a period of three years as specified in the third proviso to Rule 4 and in case such a person qualifies the test within the period his seniority shall be determined with reference to his date of promotion to the post of a Assistant on provisional basis. 11. Over-riding effect.--The provisions of these rules shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent there with contained in any other rules governing the appointment and other conditions of service for the time being in force. 12. Power to grant exemption.--Where the Government is of the opinion that it is necessary or expendient to do so, it may, by order, for reasons to be recorded in writing, exempt any class or category of persons from the operation of these rules and such exemption shall operate prospectively.
(3.) Rule 4 of 1984 Rules referred to above prescribes qualifying test for promotion to the post of Assistant, whereas Rule 7 prescribed the eligibility for sitting in the test and Rule 12 deals with the power of the State to grant exemption from examination/test. It has been stated in paragraph 7 of the petition that at the time of commencement of the Rules, there was a quota of 25% for appointment to the post of Assistant by direct appointment and 75% quota was reserved for appointment to the post of Assistant by promotion from the Clerks, but by the subsequent amendment for the appointment to the post of Assistant, it is 100% by promotion and every person has to clear the test before being appointed to the post of Assistant.;