Madhya Pradesh High Court
Smt. Urmila Rajak vs The State Of Madhya Pradesh on 18 April, 2013
Writ Petition No. 7036 of 2013
(Smt. Urmila Rajak vs. State of Madhya Pradesh and four others)
18/04/2013
Shri Ankit Agrawal, learned counsel for the
petitioner.
Shri Piyush Dharmadhikari, learned Govt. Advocate
for the respondents/State on advance notice.
Respondents in view of the issue raised does not
wish to file reply, instead rely upon circular No. lh
3-11/12/1/3, dated 03-11-2012.
With consent therefore, heard finally.
Being aggrieved by the action of respondents in
denying the petitioner to participate in the counselling for
appointment as Samvida Shala Shikshak Grade I on the
ground that she is over age present writ petition has been
filed seeking direction to the respondents to consider her
for appointment by extending relaxation as per Rules.
Facts uncontroverted are that petitioner belongs to
other Backward Class, presently working as Samvida Shala Shikshak Grade III under women's quota appointed since 16-09-2006 at Primary Schools, Bhita, Janpad Panchayat Shahpura (Bhitoni). That being a graduate and Post Graduate in Commerce and having the degree of Bachelor in Education, petitioner applied and participated in the eligibility test for appointment to the post of Samvida Shala Shikshak Grade I and secured 186 rank in reserved open category (There is no material on record to suggest that the merit position obtained by the petitioner is under women category). That after having successfully passed the eligibility test the petitioner was called for verification and scrutiny of the requisite documents; whereon, she was informed that having crossed 35 years of age she is not eligible for appointment as Samvida Shala Shikshak Grade I because of her being overage. Petitioner is 48 years of age. Controversy starts here.
Contentions on behalf of petitioner are that being an other Backward Class Category woman candidate and having the experience of seven years as Samvida Shala Shikshak Grade III, the petitioner is entitled for the relaxation of 17 years in age. Circular dated 10-01-2012 which stipulates the procedure and format for appointment of Samvida Shala Shikshak has been placed reliance on. The relevant clause relied upon is clause 2 and 3 of the format of advertisement for appointment of Samvida Shala Shikshak Grade I, stipulating the educational qualification and age in the following terms :-
"2 'kS{kf.kd ;ksX;rk ,oa vk;q%& ¼1½ ------------------------------------- ¼2½ ------------------------------------- ¼3½ U;wure vk;q 21 o"kZ vf/kdre vk;q 35 o"kZ 3 vgZrk,a %& ¼1½ ---------------------------------- ¼2½ vuqlwfpr tkfr;ksa] vuqlwfpr tutkfr;ksa rFkk vU; fiNM+s oxksZa ;k fdUgh vU; oxksZa ds fy;s mPprj vk;q lhek esa NwV] ljdkj ds ,sls fu;eksa ds vuqlkj gksxh tks fu;kstu ds le; izo`Rr gks] ¼3½ efgyk vH;FkhZ ds fy;s vU; NwV ds vfrfjDr mPprj vk;q esa 10 o"kZ dh NwV jgsxhA ¼4½ ljdkjh Ldwyksa ds fy, fu;qDr fd, x;s ekulsoh f'k{kdksa rFkk O;kolkf;d f'k{kk ds va'kdkfyd f'k{kd dks 35 o"kZ dh vf/kdre vk;q lhek esa iUnzg o"kZ dh NwV nh tk,xhA ijUrq O;kolkf;d f'k{kk ds ,sls va'kdkfyd f'k{kd ftUgksaus va'kdkyhu f'k{kd ds :i esa dk;Z fd;k gS ,oa mudk dk;Z vlarks"k tud ik;s tkus ds vk/kkj ij mudks fu;qfDr lekIr dh xbZ gSA mUgsa ;g NwV izkIr ugha gksxhA ¼5½ ,sls vH;FkhZ ftUgksaus lafonk 'kkyk f'k{kd ds :i esa dk;Z fd;k gS vkSj tks lafonk 'kkyk f'k{kd ds fu;kstu ds fy, u, fljs ls vkosnu djsaxs] os mPpre vk;q esa mruh dkykof/k dh NwV ds gdnkj gksaxs ftruh dkykof/k ds fy, muds }kjk iwoZ es lafonk 'kkyk f'k{kd ds :i esa dk;Z fd;k x;k gks bl vk/kkj ij ;g NwV vf/kdre ukS o"kZ ds fy, gksxh c'krsZ mudh lafonk muds dk;Z dks vlarks"ktud ik;s tkus ij lekIr ugha dj nh xbZ gksA ¼6½ nSfud osru Hkksxh deZdkjksa dks] tks ;k rks dk;Zjr gks vFkok ftudks jkT; ljdkj }kjk NVuh gks xbZ gks] muds }kjk dh xbZ lsok dh dkykof/k ds cjkcj mPprj vk;q lhek esa bl 'krZ ds v/;/khu jgrs gq, NwV dh tk,xh fd vH;FkhZ us 40 o"kZ dh vk;q iwjh ugha dh gSA ¼7½ fo/kok vFkok rykd'kqnk vH;kFkhZ dh vf/kdre vk;q lhek es] vU; NwV ds vfrfjDr ikap o"kZ dh NwV jgsxhA ¼8½ ,sls vH;FkhZ ftUgksaus vfrfFk f'k{kd ds :i esa ljdkjh Ldwy esa U;wure rhu 'kS{kf.kd l= rd dk;Z fd;k gS] os mPpre vk;q lhek esa ikap o"kZ dh NwV ds gdnkj gksaxsA ¼9½ lafonk 'kkyk f'k{kdksa ds fu;kstu ds fy, dkye ¼7½ & vuqlwph nks dh vH;wfDr;ksa esa mYysf[kr 'kS{kf.kd vgZrk,a lafonk 'kkyk f'k{kdksa ds vU; rRLFkkuh inksa ds fy, Hkh Lohdk;Z gksxhA"
Placing reliance on clauses 3(3) and 3(5) of the Circular dated 10-01-2012 it is contended on behalf of the petitioner that being a woman candidate she is entitled for relaxation in age by 10 years and further having satisfactorily worked as Samvida Shala Shikshak Grade III since 16-09-2006, petitioner is entitled for further relaxation of seven years (2006 to 2013). Thus, it is urged that the petitioner is entitled for total 17 years of relaxation, i.e. till she attains 52 years of age she is entitled for appointment as Samvida Shala Shikshak Grade I. The respondents on their turn have denied the contentions raised on behalf of petitioner that the petitioner is entitled for relaxation of 17 years for appointment of Samvida Shala Shikshak Grade I. It is urged that a maximum limit of 45 years have been laid down by the circular issued vide No. lh 3-11/12/1/3 dated 03-11-2012 whereby a person seeking employment through direct recruitment with all relaxation would be entitled for appointment upto 45 years and not beyond the same. It is contended that since the petitioner is 48 years she is not entitled for an appointment.
Considered rival submissions.
The Madhya Pradesh Panchayat Samvida Shala Shikshak (Employment and Conditions of Contract) Rules, 2005 framed by the State Government in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 95 read with sub-section (2) of Section 70 of the Madhya Pradesh Panchayat Raj Avam Gram Swaraj Adhiniyam. These Rules govern recruitment and condition of service of Samvida Shala Shikshak employed by Janpad Panchayat or Zila Panchayat as the case may be.
Sub Rule (4) and (8) (c) of Rule 6 provides for educational qualification, age and other requirements for appearing in the eligibility examination of Samvida Shala Shikshak to be as specified in Schedule II. Note (a) appended with Schedule II lays down following qualification :-
"Note.-(a) Qualification :-
(1)Any candidate, who have obtained minimum marks in the eligibility examination of Samvida Shala Shikshak as per sub-rule (5) of Rule 6, may apply to Panchayat for the employment as Samvida Shala Shikshak.
(2)The relaxation in maximum age limit in respect of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Classes or any other class shall be according to Government rules in force at the time of employment.
(3)Women candidates shall have ten years relaxation in maximum age limit in addition to other relaxations.
(4)The Instructors/Supervisors of erstwhile Government Non Formal Education Centres, the Honorary Teachers appointed for Government schools, Guruji of Education Guaranty School and part time teacher of Vocational Education shall be given twelve years relaxation in maximum age limit (35 years).
(5)The candidate who have worked as Samvida Shala Shikshak and who apply fresh for employment as Samvida Shala Shikshak, shall be entitled to relaxation in maximum age limit to the extent of the period, they have worked previously as Samvida Shala Shikshak. On this basis, the relaxation shall be to a maximum of nine years, Provided their contract was not terminated due to their work being found unsatisfactory.
(6)Daily Wage Workers who are either working or retrenched by Government, shall have relaxation in maximum age limit equivalent to the period of service rendered by them subject to the condition that the candidate shall not have attained 40 years of age.
(7)The minimum and maximum age shall be counted with reference to 1st January of the calendar year in which the vacancies are advertised.
(8)The educational qualification for the employment of Samvida Shala Shikshak mentioned in column (7) Remarks of Schedule II, shall be acceptable also for other corresponding posts of Samvida Shala Shikshak."
Rule 14 of 2005 Rules provides for that the "power to "prescribe", wherever provided under these rules, shall be exercised by the Government by issuing executive orders." That sub-section (2) of Section 70 of 1993 Act provides for that "The qualification, method of recruitment, salaries, leave, allowance and other condition of service including disciplinary matters of such officer and servants shall be such as may be prescribed." Thus it is within the powers of the State Government to prescribe for minimum and maximum age of recruitment and even to amend the same by issuing executive order. These orders are issued by the State Government in the name of Governors as postulated under Article 166 of the Constitution that all executive action of the Government of a State shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the Governor. The State Government in exercise of the powers so conferred issued circular dated 03-11-2012 fixing the maximum age limit in direct recruitment in service in the following terms :-
e/;izns'k 'kklu lkekU; iz'kklu foHkkx ea=ky;
oYyHk Hkou] Hkksiky - 462004 dzekad lh 3-11@12@1@3] Hkksiky] fnukad 03 uoEcj 2012 izfr] 'kklu ds leLr foHkkx] v/;{k] jktLo e.My] Xokfy;j leLr foHkkxk/;{k leLr laHkkxk;qDr leLr ftyk dysDVj leLr eq[; dk;Zikyu vf/kdkjh] ftyk iapk;r e/;izns'k "fo"k; : jkT; 'kklu dh lsokvksa esa lh/kh Hkjrh ls Hkjs tkus okys inksa ij fu;qfDr ds fy, vf/kdre vk;q-lhek dk fu/kkZfj.k "
lanHkZ :- 1- lk-iz-fo- dk ifji= d- lh@3-5@2001@3@1] fnukad 17-08-2004 2- lk-iz-fo- dk ifji= d- lh@3-5@2001@3@1] fnukad 5-10-2004 3- lk-iz-fo- dk ifji= d- ,Q- lh@3-12@2010@3@1] fnukad 04-06-2010 4- lk-iz-fo- dk ifji= d- ,Q- lh@3-10@2012@3@1] fnukad 30-08-2012 mi;qZDr fo"k;d bl foHkkx ds lanfHkZr ifji=ksa }kjk jkT; 'kklu dh lsokvksa esa lh/kh Hkjrh ls Hjs tkus okys inksa ij fu;qfDr ds fy, fofHkUu izoxksZ] 'kkldh; lsodksa] fuxe] e.My] vk;ksx] Lok;Rr laLFkk,a rFkk uxj lSfudksa ,oa efgykvksa ds fy, vf/kdre vk;q-lhek ds funsZ'k le; le; ij tkjh fd;s x;s gSaA 2@ jkT; 'kklu }kjk csjkstxkjksa ds fgr esa ;g fu.kZ; fy;k x;k gS fd jkT; 'kklu dh lsokvksa esa lh/kh Hkjrh ds fy, fu/kkZfjr vf/kdre v vk;q-lhek 35 o"kZ dks c<+kdj LFkk;h :i ls 40 o"kZ fu/kkZfjr dh tk,A bl o`f/n ds QyLo:i vuqlwfpr tkfr] vuqlwfpr tutkfr] vU; fiNM+k oxZ] 'kkldh; lsodksa] fuxe]e.My] vk;ksx] Lok;Rr laLFkk,a rFkk uxj lSfudksa ,oa efgykvksa ds fy, vf/kdre vk;q-lhek 45 o"kZ gksxhA 3@ mDr vf/kdre vk;q-lhek esa dh xbZ o`f/n x`g (iqfyl)] ou] vkcdkjh ,oa tsy foHkkx ds dk;Zikfyd inksa ij ykxw ugha gksxhA bu foHkkxksa ds dk;Zikfyd inksa ij fu;qfDr ds fy, vf/kdre vk;q -lhek muds Hkjrh fu;eksa ds izko/kku ds vuqlkj gh ykxw gksxhA vFkkZr~ bu inksa ij fu;qfDr ds fy;s vf/kdre vk;q-lhek 40 Ok"kZ dk ykHk izkIr ugha gksxkA 4@ mi;qZDr ifjizs{; esa 'kkldh; lsokvksa esa lh/kh Hkjrh esa fu;qfDr ds fy, vf/kdre vk;q-lhek dh x.kuk fuEukuqlkj gksxh :- 1 iq#"k vkosnd (vukjf{kr oxZ) 40 o"kZ iq#"k vkosnd ('kkldh;@[email protected]@Lo'kklh laLFkk ds deZpkjh 40 o"kZ 2 rFkk uxj lSfud) iq#"k vkosnd (vukjf{kr oxZ- vuqlwfpr tkfr@vuqlwfor 45 o"kZ 3 tutkfr@vU; fiNM+k oxZ) iq#"k vkosnd (vukjf{kr oxZZ- 'kkldh;@[email protected]@Lo'kklh 45 o"kZ 4 laLFkk ds deZpkjh rFkk uxj lSfud) 5 efgyk vkosnd (vukjf{kr oxZ) 45 o"kZ efgyk vkosnd ('kkldh;@[email protected]@Lo'kklh laLFkk ds deZpkjh 45 o"kZ 6 rFkk uxj lSfud) (vfo/kok@ifjR;Drk@rykd'kqnk) efgyk vkosnd (vkjf{kr oxZ- vuqlwfpr tkfr@vuqlwfor 45 o"kZ 7 tutkfr@vU; fiNM+k oxZ) 5@ lHkh izdkj dh NwV dks 'kkfey djrs gq, fdlh Hkh fLFkfr esa fdlh Hkh izoxZ ds fy, vf/kdre vk;q -lhek 45 o"kZ ls vf/kd ugha gksxhA 6@ mDr vf/kdre vk;q-lhek fu/kkZj.k ds QyLo:i lanfHkZr ifji= fnukad 17-08-2004 ,oa 05-10-2004 ,rn~ }kjk fujLr fd;s tkrs gSaA 7@ mDr vf/kdre vk;q-lhek ifji= tkjh gksus ds fnukad ls izHkko'khy gksxhA e/;izns'k ds jkT;iky ds uke ls rFkk vkns'kkuqlkj lgh@-
(vkj- ds- xtfHk;s) mi lfpo e/;izns'k 'kklu lkekU; iz'kklu foHkkx It is thus clear from above circular that for direct recruitment the maximum age till which a person can get an employment under the State including appointees in Janpad Panchayats, Zila Panchayats is 45 years. Though it is contended that the circular which lays down the maximum age limit for direct appointment issued on 03-11-2012 is not effective from a retrospective date, the submissions have been noted to be rejected. Merely because the circular effect those who have crossed the age limit prescribed for appointment on the date of issuance of circular, the same cannot be termed as retrospective. Furthermore that, there is no right to appointment. In view whereof the petitioner having earlier passed the eligibility test no vested right is created in her favour. As such the contention that the circular dated 03-11-2012 has adversely effected her right for appointment has no substance.
Thus, there being maximum age limit prescribed for direct recruitment, the petitioner having crossed the age limit of 45 years, has rightly been held not entitled for counselling for appointment to the post of Samvida Shala Shikshak Grade I. In view whereof petition fails and is dismissed. No costs.
(SANJAY YADAV) JUDGE sc