K.S. YADAVversusSTATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AND ORS.

                                     K.S. YADAV                                       A
                                           V.

                  STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AND ORS.
··-
                                NOVEMBER 28, 1997

                [SUJATA V. MANOHARAND D.P. WADHWA, JJ.]                               B

            Service law-Recruitment and Promotion Rules for Class-II posts
      (Gazetted) in the School and Inspection cadre, 1980 (Himac.hpl Pradesh)-
      Promotion from Non Gazetted Posts of Headmasters/Headmistresses of Govt.
      High School and lecturers of Higher Secondary Schools to Class If (Gazetted) C
      Posts-Promotional Posts-Availablity of-Held, until the promotional posts
      become vacant they are not available for promotion from the feeder category--
      Reversion and fresh promotion not provided for in the Recruitment Rules of
      1980.

            Promotion of the Headmasters I Headmistresses of Govt. High Schools       D
      and lecturers of Higher Secondary Schools to Class II (Gazetted) posts in
      the school and Inspection Cadre of the State of Himachal Pradesh are
      governed by the Recruitment and Promotion Rules for class II posts (Gazetted)
      in the School and Inspection Cadre, 1980 (Himachal Pradesh), (the
      Recruitment Rules of 1980). As per the Rules of 1980 the promotional posts      E
      are all Class II (Gazetted) Posts. The feeder category for these promotional
      posts is non-gazetted Headmasters/Headmistresses of Govt. High Schools
      carrying pay scale of Rs. 300-600 and lecturers of Higher Secondary Schools
      in the pay scale of Rs. 300-600 with five years of service in the grade. The
      posts which are available as promotional posts are to be distributed between
      these two· feeder categories in the ratio of 55 per cent for non-gazetted       F
      Headmasters/Headmistresses of Govt. High Schools and 45 per cent for
      Lecturers of Higher Secondary schools.
          At the time when the Recruitment Rules of 1980 came into force there
    were three sets of pay scales in the cadre of Headmasters/Headmistresses:
    (i) 700-1100 (gazetted); (ii) 400-800 (gazetted) and (iii) 300-600 (non-          G
    gazetted). The cadre strength of the class II (gazetted) posts in the School
    and the Inspection Cadre of the Education Department existing prior to the
  . coming into force of the Recruitment Rules of 1980 was as follows: (1) 15
    percent of the posts in the pay scale of Rs. 700-1100 amounting to 92 posts
    (2) 25 percent of the posts in the pay scale of Rs 400-800 amounting to 142       H
                                          585
    586                     SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1997] SUPP. 5 S.C.R.

A   posts. These 234 posts in the pay scale of Rs. 700-1100 and Rs. 400-800
    were filled over the years between 1966 and 1980 long before the coming
    into force of the Recruitment Rules of 1980.

        The number of promotional posts available, as per the Recruitment
  Rules ofl980 were 237 posts in the pay scale of Rs. 400-800and142 posts
B in the pay scale of Rs. 700-1100 making a total of 379 posts. The dispute
  arose with regard to 234 posts which were held in the pay scale of Rs 400-
  800 or Rs. 700-1100 by Headmasters of High Schools at the time when the
  Recruitment Rules of 1980 came into force. The case of the appellant was
                                                                                   1
  that these 234 occupied posts of Headmasters/Headmistresses in Class II
C (Gazetted) category should also be treated as available for promotion
  immediately after the coming into force of Rules of 1980. It was further the
  case that the directions of the Supreme Court in the case of the Sunita
  Sharma and Ors. v. State of Himachal Pradesh & Ors., (19931 Supp. 4 SCC
  686 have not been carried out. The appellant moved the Himachal Pradesh
  Administrative Tribunal which by its order dated 6.7.1994 held that until the
D posts became vacant, they were not available for promotion from the feeder
  category and further that there has been no violation of the directions given
  in the case of Sunita Sharma. Aggrieved, the appellant preferred this appeal.

          On behalfofthe appellant, it was contended that on 7/6/1980 when the
E   new Recruitment Rules of 1980 come into force the posts of Headmasters/
    Headmistresses which were Gazetted Posts were, for the first time, put in
    the category of promotional posts available to Non Gazetted Headmasters/
    Headmistresses of High Schools as also to Lecturers of Higher Secondary
    Schools. Prior to this, the Headmasters who were originally in lower Pay
    Scale were never promoted to these Class II (Gazetted Posts). They were
F   merely given the higher pay scales and Gazetted status.

          On behalf of the respondents it was contended that since the disputed
    234 posts were already filled at the time when 1980 Recruitment Rules came
    into force, the persons occupying these posts could not be reverted and th.e
G   posts could not be filled afresh by application of the roster.

          Dismissing the appe;ll, the Court

          HELD : I. The Tribunal was right in holding that there has been no
    violation of the directions given by this Court in the case of Sunita
H   Sharma.The School Lecturers are eligible for promotion to the Gazetted
                 K.S. YADAVv. STATE [SUJATAV.MANOl-IAR,J.]                    587

    posts of Headmasters/Headmistresses of High Schools and for other                 A
    promotional posts enumerated therein and they are being so promoted in
    accordance with the 1980 Rules. Their contention that 234 occupied posts
\   of Headmasters/Headmistresses in the Class II (Gazetted) category should
    also be treated as available for promotion immediately after the coming into
    force of 1980 Rules cannot be accepted. The Tribunal has rightly held that
    until these posts become vacant they are not available for promotion from the     B
    feeder categorY, (592-F-G]

           2. On 7.6.1980 when the new Recruitment Rules of 1980 came into
    force, the posts of Headmasters/Headmistresses which were gazetted posts
    were, for the first time, put in the category of promotional posts available to   C
    non-gazetted Headmasters/Headmistresses of High Schools as also to
    lecturers of Higher Secondary Schools. The existing posts of Headmasters/
    Headmistresses in class II (Gazetted) posts were also included in the number
    of 379 posts which were available for promotion. If the posts of Headmasters/
    Headmistresses of High Schools in Gazetted Class II category were already
    occupied, there would be no question of any promotion to these occupied posts     D
    until they become vacant. The Recruitment Rules of 1980 do not provide for
    reversion of Headmasters/Headmistresses occupying Class II (Gazetted) posts
    and their fresh promotion to the same posts in 1980. (591-F-H]

          Sunita Sharma v. State o/Himacha/ Pradesh, (1993] Supp. 4 SCC 686,
    referred to.                                                                      E
            CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No. 6932 of
    1995.

          From the Judgment and Order dated 6.7.94 of the Himachal Pradesh
    State Administrative Tribunal at Shimla in 0.A.No. 2278 of 1993.
                                                                                      F
         Rakesh Dwivedi, Rajesh Kumar, Ms. Smita Shanker and Rajiv Dutta for
    the Appellant.

            Shiv Pujan Singh, Tufail A.Khan and T. Sridharan for the Respondents:

            The Judgment of the Court was delivered by                                G
           MRS. SUJA TA V. MANOHAR. .J. This appeal is from 11n order of the
    Himachal Pradesh Administrative Tribunal dated 6th of July, 1994. It pertains
    to the promotion of Headmasters/Headmistresses of Government High Schools
    and Lecturers of Higher Secondary Schools to Class II (Gazetted) posts in the
    School and Inspection cadre <if the State of Himachal Pradesh under the           H ·
     588                      SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1997) SUPP. 5 S.C.R.

A    Recruitment and Promotion Rules of 1980.

            Prior to the comi?g into force of the Recruitment and Promotion Rules
     for Class II posts (Gazetted) in the School and Inspection cadre (h~reinafter
     referred to as 'the Recruitment Rules of 1980') in the Department of Education,
     Himachal Pradesh, which Rules came into force on 7.6.1980, the relevant Rules
B    in force were the Rules of 1968. It seems that there were irregularities in
     complying with the Rules of 1968. After the Recruitment Rules of 1980 came
     into force, these Rules were also not being properly implemented. The
     Education Department, State of Himachal Pradesh had, from time to time, after
     1980, entered into various agreements with Headmasters/Headmistresst:s of
C    Government High Schools or Lecturers of Higher Secondary Schools, and/or
     other employees for the purpose of granting them promotions. The disputes
     ultimately came before the Supreme Court in the case of Sunita Sharma &
     Ors. v. The State of Himachal Pradesh & Ors., [1993] Supp. 4 SCC 686. This
     Court observed that the State Government's action in keeping the said
     Recruitment Rules of 1980 in cold storage, and with no regard to them
D    entering into ad hoc agreements with its employees from time to time, was
     unjustifiable and had resulted in the disputes between the Headmasters and
     School Lecturers (inter a/ia) with regard to promotional posts coming before
     it. The Court observed that the Recruitment Rules of 1980 provide for
     promotion to the class II posts from the feeder posts of Headmasters and
     School Lecturers according to a roster system. which gives 55 per cent of
E    promotional posts to Headmasters and 45 per cent of the promotional posts
     to School Lecturers. It directed the enforcement of Recruitment Rules of 1980
      for promotions to Class. II posts and for further promotions thereafter in the
     cadre. It directed that all agreements entered into by the State Government ·
      after 1980 with the employees were quashed except for the creation of additional
F     posts of Deputy Director of Education from time to time. It al~o directed that
      the promotions should be made in accordance with the Rules of 1980. On
     promotion to class II posts, there should be prepared a common seniority list
      of promotees for the purpose of further promotion in the cadre. It also gave
      certain other directions including directions for protection of the salary received
      and so on.
G
           It is the grievance of the School Lecturers in the present proceeding
     that the directions so given by this Court in the case of Sunita Sharma
     (supra) have not been carried out. This contention has been negatived by the
     Tribunal after examining the steps taken by the State of Himachal Pradesh
     pur5uant to the directions given in the case of Sunita Sharma, (supra). Being
-H   dissatisfied with this finding of the Tribunal the appellant has filed the
             K.S. YADAV v. STA TE [SU.JATA V. MANOHAR,J.]                   589
present appeal.                                                                    A
      This Court in the case of Sunita Sharma (supra) has not disturbed the
position prevailing at the time when the said Recruitment Rules of 1980 came
into force on 7.6.1980 on the ground that it would be undesirable to upset
a position which was been settled a long time ago. It has directed proper
implementation of the Recruitment Rules of 1980.                                   B
      Under the said recruitment Rules 1980 the promotional posts which are
clubu~d together are those of Assistant Director of Education, District Eduction
officer, Deputy District Education Officer, Audio Visual Education Officer,
Evaluation Officer, Officer on Special Duty, Principal Basic Training School,
Principal Higher Secondary School, Counsellor Jncharge, State Bureau of C
Vocational and Educational Guidance and Headmasters/Headmistresses of
High School (Gazetted). The number of promotional posts which are available
are also enumerated. In this category there are 237 posts in the pay scale of
Rs. 400-800 and 142 posts in the pay scale of Rs. 700-1100 making a total of
379 posts. It is further stated that the number of posts in each of these scales
shall be as may be fixed in the cadre strength on percentage basis from time D
to time. The promotional posts are all class II (Gazetted) posts. Sirce the
posts of Headmasters/Headmistresses of High Schools are promotional posts,
these posts are Class II (Gazetted) ,posts carrying the pay scale of Rs. 400-
800 or Rs. 700-1100.

      The feeder category for these posts is non-gazetted Headmasters/             E
Headmistresses of Government High Schools carrying pay scale of Rs. 300-
600 and Lecturers of Higher Secondary Schools with five years of service in
the grade. The latter are in the same pay scale of Rs. 300-600. The posts which
are available as promotional posts are to be distributed between these two
feeder categories in the ratio of 55 per cent for non-gazetted Headmasters/
Headmistresses of Government High Schools and 45 per cent for Lecturers            F
of Higher Secondary Schools. There is also a roster provided in the said Rules
for the allocation of posts to both these feeder categories. Note 1 and 2 at
the bottom at the roster state as follows :-

       "Note I : Since the pay scales of Rs. 400-900 and Rs. 700-1100 have
        been determined as a result of revision of pay scales w.e.f. 1.11.66       G
        onwards, the Headmasters/Headmistresses of State and provincialised
        Cadres will get the above scales on the basis of their position in the
        final seniority list as a revised pay scales.

        Note 2 : As regards School Lecturers, it will be a promotion in Rs. 400-
        800 (gazetted) for all intents and purposes. Provided that officers on     H
    590                      SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1997] SUPP. 5 S.C.R.

A           their initial appointment shall be placed in the scale of Rs. 400-800 and
            thereafter the grant of the higher pay scale of Rs. 700-1100 would
            depend upon availability of posts on percentage basis (as indicated
            against Col. 2 and seniority and fitness etc.)

                 Provided further that the senior most incumbents in the cadre
B            shall be posted as Assistant Director of Education/District Education
             Officer/Officer on Special Duty."

         As a result of these Rules the School Lecturers were given the avenue
    of promotion as Headmasters/Headmistresses in Government Schools
    (Gazetted).
c         The dispute in the present case relates to 234 posts which were held
    in the pay scale of Rs. 400-800 or Rs. 700-1100 by Headmasters of High
    Schools at the time when the Recruitment Rules of 1980 came into force.
    According to the appellants these 234 posts which form a part of 379 posts
    which are enumerated as promotional posts, should be filled in afresh by
D   promotion in the manner prescribed in the roster; while the respondents
    contend that since these 234 posts were already filled.at the time.when 1980
    recruitment Rules came into force, the persons occupying these posts could
    not be reverted and the posts filled afres.h by the application of the roster.
    The contention of the respondents has been rightly accepted by the Trib\lnal.

E         Prior to the coming into force of the Recruitment Rules of 1980 the
    Government of Himachal Pradesh, Education Department by. order dated
    19.1.78 had fixed the cadre strengths of the School and the Inspection cadre
    of the Education Department as on I st of November I 977 as under :-

                                    Permanent      Temporary              Total
F                                                        .
          15% of the posts in the        85                         85 (Gazetted)
          pay scale ofRs.700-1100
    (2) 25% of the posts in· the         142             -          142 (Gazetted)
        pay scale of Rs. 400-800

G   (3) 60% of the posts in the          219             120        339 (Non-
        pay scale of Rs. 300-600                                    Gazetted)
          Total                          446             120        566

           Under Clause 2 of the order it was stated as follows :-

H            "The Governor, Himachal Pradesh, is further pleased to declare all the
            K.S. YADAVv.STATE [SUJATAV.MANOHAR,J.]                         591

        posts in the pay-scale of Rs. 400-800 borne on the School and             A
        Inspection Cadre, as indicated above as Gazetted."

      As a result of this order 25 per cent of the posts in the pay scale of
Rs. 400-800 amounting to I42 posts became gazetted posts in Class IL Similarly,
I 5 per cent posts in the pay scale of Rs. 700-1I00 were also gazetted posts.
The persons who were then occupying the posts of Headmasters in this 25           B
per cent category in the pay scale of Rs. 400-800 came to occupy class II
Gazetted posts. It is an accepted position that on the date when the I 980
Recruitment Rules came into force, I 42 posts in the pay scale of Rs. 400-800
and 92 posts in the pay scale of Rs. 700- I I 00 were in the gazetted Class II
category and were occupied by Headmasters/Headmistresses of High Schools.         C
Thus in the cadre of Headmasters/Headmistresses there were three sets of
pay scales: (I) 700-1100, (2) 400-800, and (3) 300-600, the grant of the pay
scales depending upon seniority and the prescribed percentage of posts. This
was the position when the Recruitment Rules of 1980 came into force.

       The appellant contends that Headmasters who were originally in a lower     D
pay scale were never promoted to these Class II (Gazetted) posts. They were
merely given the higher pay scale and gazetted status. The appellant has
pointed out that prior to the 1980 Rules coming into force, the Government
itself had not treated the granting of these higher pay scales and gazetted
status as promotions. He pointed out, for example, a letter dated 14th July,
I 985 from the Joint Secretary (Personnel) addressed to the General Secretary,    E
Himachal Pradesh and Central Scheduled Castes/Tribes Government and Semi-
Government Employees Association, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, in which it is
stated that the grant of revised scales to the incumbents of the posts have
not been treated as promotion.

      However, on 7.6.1980 when the new Recruitment Rules of 1980 came into F
force, the posts of Headmasters/Headmistresses which ..yere Gazetted posts
were, for the first time, put in the category of promotional posts available to
non-gazetted Headmasters/Headmistresses of High Schools as also to
Lecturers of Higher Secondary Schools. The existing posts of Headmasters/
Headmistresses in Cllass II (Gazetted) posts were also included in the number
of 379 posts which were available for promotion. Therefore, at the time when G
the Rules came into force for the purposes of granting fresh promotions under
the Rules it was necessary to examine which of these 3 79 posts were vacant
and were available for promotion to the feeder cadres. If the posts of
Headmasters/Headmistresses of High School in Gazetted Class II category
were already occupied, there would be no question of any promotion to these
occupied posts until they became vacant. The recruitment Rules of 1980 do H
    592                      SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1997] SUPP. 5 S.C.R.
A not provide for reversion of Headmasters/Headmistresses occupying Class II
    (Gazetted) posts and their fresh promotion to the same posts in 1980.

        The respondents have set out a table showing when these posts came
  to be filled. Out of these 142 posts in the pay scale of Rs. 400-800 and 92
  posts in the pay scale of Rs. 700-1100, 37 posts had been filled as far back
B as in 1966 while 72 posts were filled during the period 1975 to 1980. We need
  not set out the entire year-wise table which merely indicates that these 234
  posts were filled over the years between 1966 and 1980, mostly long prior to
  the coming into force of the Recruitment Rules of 1980. The Tribunal has
  rightly held that until these posts become vacant they are not available for
  promotion from the feeder category.
c
          In the feeder category, for the first time, School Lecturers have been
    included along with non-gazetted Headmasters/Headmistresses because both
    these categories had the same pay scale of Rs. 300-600 or its revised equivalent.
    The order of this Court in Sunita Sharma's case (supra) does not set aside
    what had happened prior to the coming into force of the Recruitment Rules
D   of 1980. It directs implementation of the Recruitment Rules of 1980 from the
    date when they came into force and has directed that all subsequent agreements
    between the State and its employees must be cancelled. An order has
    accordingly been issued by the State of Himachal Pradesh cancelling all
    agreements and withdrawing all orders issued after 7.6.1980. In the available
    promotional posts, promotions have been made in accordance with the roster
E   prescribed. It has also pointed out that a common seniority list in the
    promotional Class lI cadre has been prepared for the purposes of further
    promotions.

        The Tribunal was, therefore, right in holding that there has been no
  violation of the directions given by this court in the case of Sunita Sharma
F (supra). The School Lecturers are eligible for promotion to the Gazetted posts
  of Headmasters/Headmistresses of High Schools and for other promotional
  posts enumerated there and they are being so promoted in accordance with
  the 1980 Rules. Their contention that 234 occupied posts of Headmasters/
  Headmistresses in Class II (Gazetted) category should also be treated as
G available for promotion immediately after the coming into force in 1980 Rules
  cannot be accepted. These posts are certainly available for promotion under
  the 1980 Rules when a vacancy occurs in those posts after 7.6.1980.

          !rt the premises the appeal is dismissed. There will, however, be nQ order
    as to costs.

H   M.P.                                                         Appeal dismissed.