Keshav Chandra Joshi And Ors. Etc vs Union Of India And Ors on 6 November, 1990
WP(C) 175 of 2015
"The Tribunal held that the word "may" used in this
Rule is directory but in our considered view, to give
such a meaning would render the very object of
consultation with the MPSC wherever necessary
nugatory. It would give unbridled power to the
Government to dispense with the consultation with
MPSC which may result into arbitrary exercise of the
powers by the authority. This could never be the object
of Rule 4-A. In our considered view, the word "may"
must mean "shall" and this is also obvious from the
correspondence between the State Government and
MPSC. The Government of Maharashtra wanted to relax
the quota rule but MPSC was not agreeable and
ultimately it relented to the request of the Government
of Maharashtra and suggested amended Rule 4-A. This
suggestion was accepted and accordingly the
amendment was inserted in the Rules. We also find
support to our view from the decision of the apex court
in Keshav Chandra Joshi and Ors. v. Union of India and
Ors. In that decision, [Keshav Chandra Joshi and Ors. v.
Union of India and Ors.] the apex court was making out
interpretation of Rule 27 of U.P. Forest Service Rules,
1952 and the said rule is similar to Rule 4-A. While
construing the word "may" used in Rule 27, the apex
court held that the word "may" has to be read as "shall"
and, therefore, consultation is mandatory. It must,
therefore, follow that MPSC gave its approval to the
relaxation vide its letter dated 28.03.1989 but by that
time, several appointments of the departmental
candidates on similar terms in the cadre of Sales Tax
Officers Class-I were made exceeding the quota rule. As
far as the regularization process is concerned, it is quite
clear from the letter dated 28.03.1989 by MPSC to the
Secretary, Finance Department calling upon the latter to
furnish the details about the availability of posts
yearwise with confidential records thereof in order to
enable the Commission to take the decision on the
pending select list and to regularize the promotions of
the Sales Tax Officers Class-I from 1982 to
31.12.1986."