Arun Bhansali, J. - (1.) Though no reply to the writ petition has been filed, learned counsel for the respondents submits that the stand of the respondents is reflected in reply to the notice (Annex.7) and, therefore, the writ petition may be finally heard and decided.
(2.) This writ petition has been filed by the petitioner aggrieved against the order dated 23/5/2016 (Annex.6) passed by the respondents, whereby, the persons named therein have been promoted from the post of Assistant Forester to the post of Forester against the vacancies of the year 2016-17.
(3.) The petitioner was initially appointed on the post of Forest Guard in the respondent Department as a Scheduled Caste category candidate on 6/2/1982; he was promoted to the post of Assistant Forester on 31/8/2010. As Assistant Forester, the petitioner was eligible for promotion to the post of Forester in terms of Rajasthan Forest Subordinate Service Rules, 1963 ('the Rules'), wherein, the criteria is seniority-cum-merit. The respondent No. 3 issued a seniority list of Assistant Forester (Annex.4) and in the said seniority list the name of the petitioner appears at serial No. 3, whereas, the name of respondent No. 5 appears at serial No. 10, as the dates of appointment and promotion of the petitioner are 10.2.1982/1.8.2010, whereas that of respondent No. 5 are 22.12.1983/15.12.2012.;