GURUBIMRAO LAXMANRAO DESAI v. SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER

CORAM : MR.JUSTICE PRADIP KUMAR SARKAR Date of decision: 11/04/2000 ORAL JUDGEMENT (cid:9)Present writ petition has been filed by the petitioner Shri. Gurubimrao Laxmanrao Desai, a Stenographer, Grade-II, working in the adhoc establishment of Superintending Engineer, Irrigation Mechanical Circle-II, New Mental Hospital Compound, Meghaninagar, the respondent no.1, and in the pay scale of Rs.475-800, by office order dated 18-4-1980. Since the appointment, petitioner is discharging his duty in the respondent department. While continuing on the post, the petitioner received a confidential letter dated 5-3-1990 (Annexure-A) from Executive Engineer, Ukai Mechanical Circle, Ahmedabad, wherein it has been stated that the post of the petitioner can be filled up on the recommendation of the Gujarat Public Service Commission and since his appointment has not been made on the recommendation of the Gujarat Public Service Commission, he will be discharged from Government Service with effect from 5-4-1990. Having felt aggrieved by the aforesaid order/notice dated 5-3-1990 of the Executive engineer, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition for quashing the aforesaid order and also for regularising his services in the post of Stenographer, Grade-II with effect from the date of his appointment.

2.(cid:9)After filing the writ petition, the petitioner moved for an interim order and this Court by order dated 12-4-1990 stayed the operation of the order dated 5-3-1990 at Annexure-B. In pursuance of the aforesaid interim order passed by this Court the petitioner is still continuing in his post.

3.(cid:9)Mr. P.C. Kavina, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner submitted that, the petitioner was appointed on the post of Stenographer, Grade-II by order of the Executive Engineer dated 18-4-1980 and after receipt of the appointment order he joined in the post and from 1980 till today he is continuing in his post of Stenographer, Grade-II in the office of Respondent No.1. Learned counsel submitted that before issuing the notice dated 5-3-1990 at Annexure-B the petitioner was never informed that he is required to be appointed through Gujarat Public Service Commission, and he was under the impression that his appointment is a temporary appointment and in due course he will be confirmed in his post. It is also alleged by learned counsel for the petitioner that during this long period of ten years he has not even intimated to appear before the Public Service Commission and to get his selection confirmed. Learned counsel also submitted that, after getting the notice dated 5-3-1990 he immediately moved this Court and obtained a stay order on 12-4-1990, and in pursuance of the interim order of this Court the petitioner is still continuing. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that, though the petitioner has been appointed initially in the adhoc establishment in the office of respondent no.1, the said adhoc establishment is still continuing. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that in view of the fact that the petitioner is continuing in the post for more than 20 years, it is obligatory on the part of the respondents to regularise the service from the date of his initial appointment.

4.(cid:9)Learned AGP Ms. B.R. Gajjar, appearing for Learned Govt. Solicitor submitted that the post of Stenographer Grade-II, which the petitioner is holding, falls within the jurisdiction of the Gujarat Public Service Commission and unless a person is recommended by Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) his appointment can not be said to be regular in nature and he has not acquired any right by rendering 20 years service in the department. Learned AGP consequently submitted that since the petitioner has not acquired any right by his appointment in the establishment there is no illegality in the notice dated 5-3-1990 issued by the Executive Engineer to discharge the petitioner from government service.

5.(cid:9)It is true when the Recruitment Rules prescribes any definite method for recruitment for the post then appointment in such post only be made in accordance with the provisions of the Recruitment Rules. It is admitted that the post of Stenographer, Grade-II which the petitioner is holding, regular appointment only be made after the candidate is selected by GPSC. In the instant case the petitioner has not been appointed through GPSC, and therefore I am of the view that by rendering 20 years of service he has not acquired any right to the post. However it appears that in accordance with the order passed by the respondent , the petitioner continue in the post of Stenographer, Grade-II for last ten years and he is continuing in the post for another ten yeas in pursuance of the interim order passed by this Court on 12-4-90. Therefore it appears that the petitioner is serving in the post of Stenographer Grade-II from last 20 years, and it would be unreasonable to throw the petitioner out without giving him any scope to get his selection through GPSC. Learned counsel for the petitioner very fairly submitted that since the petitioner has already served for more than 20 years he may be given an opportunity to appear before the Public Service Commission to get him selected on regular basis. Learned counsel also submitted that, in the event the petitioner fails to qualify in the examination conducted by GPSC, then, he will not object to the termination from the post of Stenographer, Grade-II. Learned counsel for the petitioner also submitted that, in view of the peculiar situation he is not pressing for regularisation in service of the petitioner. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that the petitioner should be given atleast one opportunity to prove his merit and get his selection in accordance with the Recruitment Rules through the GPSC.