PRAMATH PATNAIK,J. - (1.) In the accompanied writ application, the petitioners have, inter alia, prayed for cancellation of the selection process of the Drivers, held on the basis of the Advertisement, dated 18.06.2007 being Advertisement No. BSL/R-2007-08 by the respondents and for direction to the respondents to conduct fresh examination written, interview and the Driving test.
(2.) The brief facts, as has been averred in the writ application, are that in pursuance to the Advertisement published on 18.06.2007 for the post of the Driver and Mobile Equipment Operator, the petitioners have applied for the post of the Driver. After scrutiny of their applications, the petitioners have been called to appear in the written examination and subsequently called to appear in the interview. All the candidates, those who appeared in the written and the interview in a single day, were called to appear in the Driving Test. Both the petitioners have submitted all the testimonials including experience certificates and Driving license. However, the petitioners have not been selected for the post of Drivers. Being aggrieved by the non-selection, the petitioners, left with no other alternative and efficacious remedy, have knocked the door of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for redressal of their grievances.
(3.) Controverting the averments made in the writ application, a counter affidavit dated 24.10.2007 has been filed by the respondents, wherein, it is stated and submitted that all the candidates, who appeared in the written test for the post of Driver, were directed to appear for the trade test and interview at the examination venue itself. Since all the candidates who appeared for the written test were qualified to appear for the trade test and interview irrespective of the marks in the written test a notice regarding date and venue of the trade test/interview was displayed at the examination venue. The same was also announced in each class room during the examination. Further, it has been submitted that the selection process for the post of the Driver consists of three parts i.e. Written test, trade test and interview. Each part is of equal weight-age and the final result is prepared after adding the marks of each segment and finally on the basis of total marks, candidates have been short-listed and issued offer of appointment.;