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Mr. Mukhoty, learned senior counsel appearing for the appellants, had contended that the candidates who had become eligible for promotion earlier by passing the qualifying examination at an earlier point of time, would rank en-block senior and would be entitled to be promoted earlier than the candidates who became eligible for promotion on subsequent occasions. Mr. Mukhoty has contended that para 206 of P & T Manual Vol.IV and the decision of the Madras Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal in O.A.No.5 of 1987 decided on June 15, 1987 clearly support the contentions of the appellants and the learned Tribunal, Jaipur Bench had misappreciated the case of the appellants and has wrongly decided their case. Mr.Mukhoty has contended that in writ Petition No.2739 of 1981 filed by Shri Parmanand Lal and Shri Brij Mohan, Junior Engineers Telephones of P & T Department, the decision rendered by the Allahabad High Court also supports the contention of the appellants. Such decision of the Allahabad High Court was challenged before this Court and the said decision of the Allahabad High Court has been upheld by the Supreme Court. It, therefore, cannot be contended that para 206 P & T Manual would not be applicable and it is not correct to contend that even though the subsequent examinations are held in the same year, candidates passing the said examination at any time in the year will not be affected by any other candidate passing the said examination earlier though held in the same year. Mr.Mukhoty has contended that para 206 P & T Manual Vol.IV is applicable to the appellants because the appellants are Junior Engineers (Civil) in the Engineering Branch of P & T Department. P & T Manual Vol.IV is equally applicable to officers of all the branches of P & T services. He has submitted that if a reference is made to para 1 and Chapter 7 of the said Manual. It will be quite evident that the manual was applicable to all branches of post and Telegraph Services. Mr.Mukhoty has contended that although there are three sections, para 206 under Chapter 7 is applicable to all the engineering branches equally. Mr.Mukhoty has also contended that the Recruitment Rules, 1976 for Civil Engineers (Gazetted officers) are silent as to how the inter se seniority of qualified candidates could be prepared for the purpose of promotions. In the case of Junior Engineers (Telephones) the Recruitment Rules, 1976 and the modified rules 1981 are also silent as to how the fixation of seniority for the purpose of promotions should be made after passing the qualifying examination. In these circumstances, Shri P.N.Lal approched the Allahabad High Court by filing Write Petition and the Allahabad High Court held that question of seniority to be determined according to the provisions of P & T Manual Vol.IV para 206 (2). Mr. Mukhoty has contended that the Recruitment Rules of 1976 are also silent about the maintenance of inter se seniority applicable to the cases of the appellants and the appellants are entitled to clain inter se seniority according to the provisions of para 206 of P & T Manual Vol.IV. Mr.MUkhoty has contended that in the Notification inviting applications for appearing in the examination it was indicated that after passing the examination the Junior Engineers who had completed 8 years of service will be promoted on regular basis to the Grade of Assistant Engineer (Civil). Although the appellants passed the said examination at earlier point of time, the Junior Engineers who were unsuccessful in the first chance but had passed such examination in third or fourth chance were preferred and given promotion simply on the basis of their length of service. Mr. Mukhoty has contended that such course is not only contrary to para 206 P & T Manual but also contrary to equity and justice because person qualifying in the first chance of the examination is deprived of the fruit of his success and candidate failing in the first chance but qualifying in the second or third attempt is given premium over the successful candidate in the very first chance. Mr.Mukhoty has, therefore, contended that the decision of the Jaipur Bench has occasioned a grave failure of justice and the same should be set aside and the appeal should be allowed by directing the authorities to decide the question of promotion of the Engineers on the basis of their becoming eligible at earlier point of time by passing the examination and consequently being entitled to be considered for promotion before the other candidates passing the said examination at a later point of time.
"Promotion: Junior Engineers (Civil) who have qualified in the departmental examination and have rendered not less than 8 years of service in the grade after appointment thereto on a regular basis."

There is not provision in the said rules regarding determination of inter as seniority. Accordingly, the general rules of length of service in determining the seniority must be made applicable. Mr.Goswami has contended that it is well settled that on the face of specific rule governing a particular service, reliance to any other rule should not be made. Admittedly, the rules governing the appellants are 1976 rules and the provisions of dara 206 P & T Manual Vol.IV which governs the Deputy Assistant Engineers Wireless do not apply to the cases of the appellants. Mr.Goswami has also contended that the decision of the Allahabad High Court in Parmanand Lal Vs. Union of India since relied on by the learned counsel for the appellants is also not applicable in the facts and circumstances of the present appeals. The service of the Parmanand Lal was governed either by the said rules of 1976 or by service rules of 1981 which will be quite evident from the decision of the Allahabad High Court. Mr.Goswami has submitted that in 1992, the 1976 rules have been amended and as per the amended recruitment rules, the condition of passing the departmental examination to the post of Assistant Engineer for promotion has been deleted. Hence, for promotion from the promotion quota of 50%, the only condition prescribed now is that a Junior Engineer should complete 8 years of service in the grade. He has, therefore, submitted that no interference is called for against the decision of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Jaipur Bench and the appeals should be dismissed.