Title not extracted — [1983] 3 S.C.R. 545

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

vAl\ADARAJAN, J .' These appeals by special leave are directed against the Judgments of the Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribu- nal, Hyderabad in Representation Petitions 595 of 1977 and batch and D , transferred Writ Petition 941 of 1976. C. As. Nos. 1652 to 1659 of ; 1978 have been filed against the common judgment dated 31.8.1978 in Representation Petition 595 of 1977 and batch in which common issues arose for consideration while C.A. No. 415 of 1979 has been filed against the separate judgment, dated 31.8.1978 in Transferred Writ Petition 941 of 1976. All these appeals by the petitioners before the Tribun~I were heard together in this Court and will be disposed of by a common judgment.

The main judgment of the Tribunal in Represeniation Petition 595 of 1977 and batch is in Representation Petition 595 of 1977 in accordance with which tlie other Representation Petitions in the batch have been disposed of as stated elsewhere in this judgment. Repr('sentation Petition 595 of 1977 was filed by seven petitioners of whom petitioners Nos I to 6 were worki~g as Principals of Junior Colleges at various places while the seventh petitioner was working ,.,... a as Junior Lecturer in Government College, Srikakulam in An\ihra G Pradesh and claimed to be ripe for promotion as Principal of Junior College on the basis of his original seniority among junior Lecturers. 1 We will refers to the parties in these appeals as arrayed before the · Tribunal for the sake of convenience. · H The seven pettioners in Representation Petition 595 of 1977 who were working as Post-Graduate Assistants or Headmasters 'ii\

$50 . SUPRBMll COURT RBPORTS · (1983) 3 s.c.n.•

t)l;e ~~la Parishad Higher Secondary Schools ·at different places were . A appointed as junior Lecturers in 1969 as they were all Post-Graduates who had passed in the first or second class-with 50% marks and above and ( \•. werefully j " \j eligible for appointment as Junior Lecturers. The '

petitioners' contention is that under the Adhoc Rules governin2 Junior Lecturers they being Post-Graduates who had passed in first or~second- class, should be placed in the seniority list above Post- B Graduate Assistants who · hold only third class Post-Graduate degrees. The second respondent, joint Director of Higher Education, Andhrli Pradesh, prepared a subject-wise ;eniority list in 1974 as per the rules,, placing the seven petitioners in . Representation Petiiion 595 of 1977 at 'Nos. 17, '15, 20, 21, 23, 40 and 41. respectively.· On c • ~ ! 1 ' ' • ' the basis of that seniority Junior Lecturers upto the ran)<: of 40 in that list were promoted as Principals of various junior Colleges. The l st respondent State of Andhra Pradesh, prepared a revised seniority list as per the directions ·or the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Writ Petition No. 4358 of 1974 and Writ Appeal N6. 920 of 1975. In that ·revi'sed-seriiority list issued-in 1976 the petitioners in Representation D Petition 595 of 1977 have been placed at Nos. 380, 54, 390, 392, 406, 36'8 ~nd 374 respectively. The petitioners' contention was .that third- ciass Post-Graduate degree holders who were appointed for the .firs,t time in 1970 and 1975 as junior Lecturers were shown in the .said re-Vised seniority list as seniors to the petitioners though the petitioners E had 'an been appointed ·as junior Lecturers in 1969 itself and were reglilarised' as early as in November 1969 and under the Adhoc Rules framed by the Government, Post-Graduate Assistants with first and second class Post-Graduate degrees should . be treated as one group and as senior to Post-Graduate Assistants with third class Post- Graduate degrees, who s_hould be treated as another group. The F'j• ' I ' - •··' . petitioners in Representation Petition 595 of 1977. prayed in these circti.mstances for quashing the revised seniority list issued by the first respondent State of Andhra Pradesh on 27.12.1976 so far as they ~re concerned and for restoration of their old seniority as per the ·earlier -seniority lisf of 1974 or in the alternative for· declaring G that Rule 13 (I) of the Adhoc Rules, 1973 dealing wtth seniority of . . Junior'Lecturers is violative ofArticles 14 anp 16 of the C'onsti tution. ·'' . . Rule 13 (!) and (2) of the Adhoc Rules framed by the Govern- ment under Article 309. of the Constitution read as follows : H "Rule 13 (!)-The seniority of a person appointed vri\ler ·clauses (i) and (ii) of sub-rule (1) ofRule 3 shall b~

B.V. REDDY v. ANDHRA PRADESH (Varadarajan, J.) 551

deter.mined with reference to the date. of his actual appointment as a Post-Graduate ~ssistant of the probable ' A date on which he would have been appointed as Post· Graduate Assistant but for his appointment or promotion_ to a ·higher post ; ( . (ii) The seniority ·of any person appointed under clause (iii) of sub-rule (I) of Rule 3 shall be determined with reference to the date of commencement of his probation.

Provided that no such person shall be senior to any person "' appointed under clause (i) or (ii) of sub-rule {I) of Rule 3 ; 'C Provided further that no person appointed under sub-clause (b), sub-clause (c) or clause (iii) of sub-rule (I) of Rule 3 shall bcJ senior to a person appointed under sub-clause (a) of that clause ...."

Rule 3 of the Adhoc Rules, 1973 reads as follows :-·

"Rule 3 of Appointment:· (I) Appointment to this class shall be .made as follows :

(i) First by appointment of Post-Graduate Assistants / E in Category I-A of Class II and Selection Grade Assistants in Grade I of Category 2 of Class II in the Andhra Pradesh< Educational Sub-ordinate Service or Headmasters of High Schools and Post-Graduate Assistants in Zila Parishads High Sch~ols ai1d such of the Municipal Schools as F are converted into Junior Colleges ;

(ii) Secondiy; if there are no suitable and qualified ·persons available for .appointment under clause . (i) then by ap'pointrilent of Trained Graduates G possessing Post-Graduate Diploma in Physical Sciences in the scale of pay admissible t9 Post ) Graduate Assistants iritmedtately before the commencement. of these rules ;

·{iii) Thirdly, if there are no suitable and qualified H persons available for appointment under sub- · clause (i) or sub-clausel(ii)-

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(a) by recruitment from among the Headmasters A and Post-Graduate Assistants in recognised Multipurpose or Higher Secondary Schools under private management or under the management of the Municipality which are not converted into Junior Colleges ; or ) B (b) By transfer from School Assistants in Grade n or Category 2 in Class II and PanditS (including Hindi Pandits), Munshis Grade I in Category I of Class III of the Andhra Pradesh Educational Subordinate Service or c by recruitment by transfer from any other service; or

· (c) by direct recruitment.

(2) Preference shall be given for appointment under D clause (i) or sub-clause (a)' of clause (iii) of sub• rule (l)(a) : • • (a) Firstly to persons ivith first or second class Post Graduate degree ; E / . (b) Secondly to persons with a third class Post Graduate degree with not less than five years of service as a Post-Graduate Assistant or Selection Grade Assistant in the Andhra Pradesh Educational Subordinate Service or F as a Headmasier of a Zila Parsshad High School or a Post Graduate Assistant in a school under the manage111ent of a Zila , Parishad or a Municipality ;

-- G (c) Thirdly to persons with a third classs Post .Graduate degree with less than five years' service as a Post Graduate Assistant or Selection Grade Assistant in the Andhra Pradesh Educational Subordinate Service or \ H as a Headmaster of a High School or Post Graduate Assistant in a School under the management of a Zi)a p~ishad or a. Muni· cipality ........;,"

il.\i. REDDY v. Al'iDHRA PRADESH ivaradarDjan, J) ssj ( The Andhra Pradesh Government decided in 1964 that the , r Secondary School Education should be of 10 years' duration instead of 11 years and that it should be followed by a. two-years' Inter- mediate Collegiate education in the plac,e of the then existing Higher Secondary and Multi:purpose system commencing from 1969-70. Accordingly, the Government decided in G.O.Ms 1920, Educat/on, dated 25.10.1968 that in the existing colleges two-year. Intermediate B Course should be introduced in the place of one year P.U.C. The staff pattern and pay scales of staff in junior Colleges started for the , .two~year Intermediate Course were laid down by the Government in G.O. Ms 2063, Education •. dated 25.8.1969. In G.O.Ms. 2186, Education, "dated 17.9.1969 the Government issued the followina instructions regarding the absoq,tion of Post-Graduate Teachers in c Junior Colleges :

"In regard to the appointment of Post Graduates as Junior Lecturers in Junior Colleges, priority will be given to those who are in the scales of pay of Rs. 180-350 and who are suitable and willing to be absorbed as per seniority D ( as indicated below :

(a) First or second class.Post-Graduates working as Post-Graduate Assistants :

(b) Third class Post-Graduati:s with not less than 5 years of service, working as Post-Graduate Assistants ; l (c) Third class Post-Graduates with less than of 5 years of service, workini: as Post Graduate Assis· F tants.

and (d) Lastly Trained Graduates possessing Post Graduate diploma in Physical Sciences, working in the Post Graduate Assistant's ~cale. G

) It was stated in that G. 0. that all the existing Post Graduates who will be absorbed as Junior L-Octurers in Junior Colleges will be appoi,nted temporarily as Junior Lecturers pending framing of adhoc rules in due course. The Government ordered in G,O.Ms. 1147, H Educati<in, dated 4.6.1970.that in the common seniority list first rank should be given only to those who have secured first and second

554 SUPREME COURT REPORTS !i983j 3 s.c.R. class Post-Graduate degree wlth 50 per· cent mai:ks and above. These A G. Os. were all executive' instructions. ~ . . . #I

There is no.dispute that the petitioners are holders of first or second class Post-Graduate degrees and that the private respondent§ 3 to 8 in Reperesentation Petition 595 of.1977 who have been °placed as their'se~iors in the impugned seniority list oi: 1976.are holders of only third.class post-Graduate degrees. The petitioners relie<l heavily on tbe above rule 3 of the Adhoc Rules, according to which persons with' first or second class Post-Graduate degrees are to be.· given., preference over Post-Graduates holding third class degrees. and cont~~ded that they sh.ould, therefore., be )liven seniority over.the c third class Post ·Gra<luate degree holders in, determining.the inter se 1 seniorit)iin th~ cadre of. Junior Lecturers 'in Junior Colleges as was .. done in the seniority list prepared in 1974. ·

. The contention of the fir$1: respondent, State of Andhra D Pradesh, was that the executive instructions given in Government orders regardi~g appointments of Junior Lecturers pending the fram- ing of Adtioc Rules under Article 309 of the Constitution ceased to operative once those adhoc rules were framed and that under Adhoc Rule 13 the seniority of Po3t-G•adu~te Assistants of former Higher Secondary Schools and Multipurpose' Schools with first, second and E third class Post-Graduate degrees and Post Graduate diploma shall have to be determined with refere11ce to the. actual date · of .appoint- ment as J>ost-Gradnate Assistants. The Government denied that Rule 13 (0 is viol~tive of Articles, 14 and 16 of the Constitution and contended in the counter-affidavit that the Education Depart- F ment followed the judgment of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in W.P. No. 4358 of 1974 ,and Writ Appeal 920 of 1975 and cancelled the earlier seniority list of· 1974 and framed the revised seniority list of 1976 according to ·Rule 13 (I) of the Adhoc Rules. Thus the Government oppsed the Representation . . ' Petitions.

The Tribunal has taken note in Pa,rl)grl\ph 9•of,its judgment of the fact that the petitioners are first and second class Post-Graduate degree holders whi.le respondents .3 to. 8 are only third class Post· . Graduate degree hblders correctly, but it bas' wrongly observed that. \ • . - 't - ' H both the categories of Post-Graduate Assistants have been, apPQinted, as Junior Lecturers under Rule 3 (I) (i) of the Adhoc Rules issued in G.0.Ms 939, Education, dated 19.9.1973. It was not disputed

n.v. REDDY v. ANDHRA PRADESH (Varadarqjan,'J..) SSS before us. that the petitioners being ·first and second class. P~st~' Graduates with 50 per cent and more· marks were appointed as. Junior Lecturers in I 969 and that respondents 3 to 8 wlio are· third· class Post-Graduates were appointed as~ Junior l:ecfofors only' in . ~ 1 ~· ' 1970 and 1975. Therefore, the petitioners and some of respondents l 3 to 8 had been appointed in 1969a~d·1970 before the Adhoc' R'u/es ·· · were framed on 19.9.1973 and only some ofihe respondents 3 to'' 8 B were appointed in 1975 under Rule 3 (I) (i) of those Adhoc Rule's; The fact that the petitioners were appoinied ·as' Junior LeCttirers earlier than the respondents was wnceded by Mr. Shiv Shankar · , before .the Tribunal as seem from paragraph 8 · of the Tribunal's judgment. The Tribunal ,noted the following further facts :- . c (1) That Government bad decided ,in G.O.Ms. 2063, ,Education, dated 25.8. 1969 that first ·and second class Post-Graduates would be given a 4igher starting pay of Rs. 260 in in the scale of Rs. 200-500 ·and that third class Post:Graduates would. be allowed only the pay drawn by them before they were appointed D· as Junior Lecturers in the above scale;

(2) That the Government expressed the view in G.O.Ms. 1147, Education, dated 4.6.1970 that in the common seniority lisi first rank should be given only to those who have secured first or second class Post-Graduate degrees with 50 percent marks and above whiCh is the qualification prescribed for direct recuruitment of Juniot . Lecturers; and (3) That in Rule 3 (I) (i) of the Adhoc Rules framed on 19.9.1973 it is stipulated that at the time of appointment to the 1 category of'Junior Lecturers persons with.first or second class Post Graduate degrees would have preference over persons with third class Post ·Graduate degrees. ·

But the Tribunal relied heavily on the fact. that the Andlira Pradesh High Court had directed in Writ Appeals 920 and. 938 of. 1975 that the seniority list sp.ould be prepared in' accordance with' c· Rule 13 (I) of the Adhoc Rules,'1973 which have been given retros- r ' pective effect from 1.8.J.969 and.held.that the iQJpugned seniority list framed as per Rule 13(1) of tp.e Adhoc Rules having :precedence over the earlier execu'tive instruction is valid and that as the petitioners and Hi _respondents 3 to 8 belonged to the 'same ·category. of Post . Graduate Assistants, there is no question of violation of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution as Adhoc Rule 13 (I} says that seniority of Pos\

• ' SUPREME COURT RBPoRTS [1983) 3 s.c,ii..

Graduate Assistants appointed as Juni6r Lecturers shall b~ deter· mined with reference to the dates of their actual appointment as A Post Graduate Assistants or the probable dates on which they would have been, appointetd as Post Graduate Assistants but for their appointment or promotion to higher posts. The Tribunal has obsei;ved that if the intention of the Government was otherwise they would have specifically provided acco~dingly. In this view the l. B Tribunal rejected the petitioners' prayer for restoring the old seniority list prepared in 1974 which in its opinion is contrary to Rule 13 (1) of the Adhoc Rules. Accordingly the Tribunal dismissed Representa· tion Petition 595 of 1977 and in view of its judgment in that Petiti()n eit.her rejected or dismissed Representation Petitions 985 of 1977 and 289, 340, 446 and 553 of 1978. In Representation Petition 273 of c 1978 the Tribtlnal observed, that the plea of the petitioners that first and second· class Post Graduate degree holders should be given preference over third class Post Graduate degree holders in the matter of seniority as Junior Lec'turers is covered by its judgment in D Representation Petition 59 5 of 1977 and that since the petitioners in Representation Petition 273 of 1978 have already acquired B. Ed. qualification, which is a pre-requisite for regular appointment as Post Graduate Assistants, 'the question of those petitioners' regularisation in the posts -of Post Graduate Assistants should be examined in accordance with the rules and their service should be E be regularised in. that category and thereafter their seniority as Junior Lecturers should be determined in accordance with Rule I 3 (I) of the Adhgc Rul<!s,. ·1n Transferred Writ Petition 1246 of 1976 the Tribunal has stated in its judgment that in the judgment of the High Court in Writ Appeals 920 and 938 of 1975, the High Court has ordered that a fresh seniority list should be prepared in accor• F dance with Rule 13 (I) of the Adhoc Rules, that the relief prayed for by the four petitioners in that Writ "Petition has already been given and that Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly. The Tribunal has orderd that Transferred Writ Petition 7s of 1976 also stands disposed of, presumably in the same manner as Transferred G Writ Petition 1246 of 1976 was disposed of, without specifically indicating bow that Writ Petition is disposed of.

In Transferred W.P. 941of1976 out of which C.A. No. 415 of 1979 filed by 34 petitioners in that Petition has ariSel), the reliefs prayed for were : (I) that a correct seniority list based on Rule 13 of the Adhoc.Rules 197,3 should be issued in respect of all the Junior Lecturers, (2) that Rule 6 of the Adhoc Rules framed in G.O.Ms.

il.v. REDDY v. ANDHRA PRADESH (Varadarajan, J.) 557 I 502, Education, dated 19.6.1974, under which first or second class Post-Graduate degree has been prescribed as the qualification for promotion to the posts of Principal of Junior Colleges should be struck down as illegal and (3) that adhoc appointments of seven third class Post-Graduate Junior Lectur~rs as Principals of Junior Colleges made in the proceedings dated 14.3.1974 by. ~he second respondent Director of Public Instruction, Andhra Pradesh should be declared as illegal. Here also we shall refer to the parties as arrayed before the Tribunal for the sake of convenience as stated earlier.

The 14 petitioners .in this petition were working as School Assistants in Higher Secondary schools in Andhra Pradesh. They c were subsequently appoined as. Junior Lecturers in junior colleges in terms of Rule 3 of the Adhoc Rules which states that first preference. for appointment as junior Lecturers in Junior Colleges should be given to Post-Graduate Assistants in Category I-A of Class II and Seletion Grade Assistants in Grade I of Category 2 of Class. II in the D Andhra Pradesh Educational Subordinate Service or Headmasters of High Schools and Post-Graduate Assistants in Zilla Parishad High Schools and such of the Municipal Schools as are converted into into Junior Colleges. The rule also provides that preference should be given to persons with first or second class Post-Graduate degrees. Rules 13 (I) of the Adhoc Rules provi<\es that seniority is to be E determined with reference to the. date of their actilal appointment as Post Graduate Assistants or the probable date on which they would have .been appointed as .Post-Graduate Assistants but for their appointment or promotion to higher posts. The. petitioners conten- dedtthat seniority of Junior. Lecturers, which is being maintained .F subjectwise, Should be integrated and there should be a combined seniority list and not subject-wise list. .In the Adhoc Rules framed by the Government in G.O.Ms. 939, Education, dated 19.9.1973 there were no rules regarding promotion of Junior Lecturers to the posts of Principals ·of junior Colleges. Pending the framing of Aahoc G Rules in that regard the second respondent, Director of Public •• Instruction, issued proceedings _in R.C. No. 775-Cl/2/74 dated 14.3:1973.promoting under Rule 10 (a) (i) ofthe 'St.ate and Subordi· nate Service Rules, seven persons as Principals of Junior Colleges though they did not hold first or secon\i clilss Post-Graduate degrees. H Subsequently, Adhoc Rules were framed. by the Government in G.O.Ms: 502, Education, dated 19.6.1974 under the proviso to Rule 309 of the Constitution with retrospective effect from 1.8.1969

SUPREME COURT REPORTS i19S3) 3 s.c.R. regarding promotion fo the posts of Principals of Junior Colleges. Under these Rules Junior 'Lecturers holding· a first or second class' Post-Graduate degrees who have put in a service of three years· as Juuior Lecturers in the Educ1tional Subordinate Ser'vice are eligible for promotiotion" as Principals of junior Colleges. But Rule 8 of the Adhoc Rules, 1974 which is a saving clause, reads as follows t B · . "Notwithstanding anything contained in these Rules a person who held a post of a Principal· of Ju-nior. College immediately before the issue of these Rules shall be con- · ' tinued as Principal and be given option either to continue in the post of a Principal or_to·revert to-his original post". c !. The tribunal affirmed in its judgment in this Transferred Writ Petition its judgment in Representation Petition 5.95 of 1977 and observed that that judgme1it would apply as regards the interpreta- tion of Rule 13 in the matter of fhing inter se seniority among Post- Graduate School Assistants appointed as Junior Lecturers under' Rule 3 (I) (I) ofthe Adhoc Rules, !973, and•that seniority should be determined with reference to the date of appointment as Post-· Graduate School Assistants without reference to the nature of.the 1 Post-Graduate degrees, whether they are first, second or 'third ' class degrees. The Tribunal held . that subject to that provision regarding fixing of over all seniority subject-wise seniority can also be fixe\I and that for purposes of . promotion to the posts of Principals the overall _seniority in the category of junior ·Lecturers fixed in accordance with Rule 13 of the Adii.oc Rules should be · followed .. · .. F < It was submitted before the Tribunal on behalf of the Govern· met\t that considering the nature of the duties of Principals there is a reasonable classification between first and second class Post- Graduate. School Assistants and such Assistants holding .only tliiid· class Post-Graduate degrees, and there is no contravention of Articles G 14 and !6 of the Constitution in prescribing first and second Class , Post-Graduate· degree for Junior ·Lecturers to be promoted' as Principals of JUnior ·colleges .and that· clear distinction has been ~\ maintained beiween holders of'first and second' class Post-Graduate degrees and those holding only third class Post-Graduate degrees,, H and the former class of Post-Graduate degree holders have been given advance increments on their appointment as-junior Lecturers while the latter have been given only the pay they were drawing as

B.V. REODY v. ANOHRA PRADESH (Varadarajan, j,) ~59 ( Post Graduate School A;sistants when they were appointed as junior Lecturers. It was also submitted . before the Tribunal that academic qualification is germane in the educationaf field and that classifica- tion made on the basis of qualification for the post of Principal cannot be termed as discriminatory. \ On a perusal of G.O.Ms .. 939, Education, dated 19.9.1973 in which Adhoc Ruels under the proviso to Article 309 of the Consti- tution· have been framed by the Government tlie Tribunal found that weightage is to be given for first and second class Post-Graduate degree holders over third class Post-Graduate degree holders. The Tribunal accepted the contention of the Government that in academic institutions excellence in academic attainments is a relevant considera-, C ti on. and that any discrimination based on excellence in academic attainments has direct nexus with the object of achieving excellence in a teaching institution and that it does' offend Articles 14 and 17 of the Constitution, more so when third. class Post-Graduate degree holders are not permanently debarred from improving their D standard of qualifications for bec;oming eligible to the .posts of Principals of Junior Colleges. The Tribunal.thus rejected the second prayer of the petitioners that the prescription of. first and second class Post-Graduate degree as qualification for eligibility for pro- motion· to the posts of Princip~ls of Junior Colleges contravenes Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. E

The Tribunal found nothing objectionable in Rule ·s of the ' · Adhoc Rules 1974 referred to above- which protects the rights of third class Post-Graduate degree 'holders who had been promoted under Rule 10 (a) (i) of the State and Subordinate Service Rules 1 F pending framing of Adhoc Rules which were actually framed subse- quently on 19.6.1974.

On theee findings the Ttibunal dismissed Transferred Writ Petition No. 941 of 1976. G Pursuant to the policy decision taken by the Andhra Pradesh Government in 1964 that tire secondary school duration should be JO years instead of 11 years and it should be followed by a tAlo yeais• intermediate course in the place of then existing PUC instead· of the then prevailing Higher Secondary' and .Multi-purpose system, com• H mellcing from the academic years 1969-70 the Government decided · in G.O.Ms. 1920, Education, dated 25.10.1968 that in the existing

SUPREMB COURT REPORTS . l1983J 3 s.c.&. colleges the two years' intermediate course. should be introduced A instead of the one year PUC, and laid down in 0.0.Ms., 2063, : Education, dated· 25.8.1969 tbe. staff . pattern and pay scales of: staff in junior Colleges started for the two. years' intermediate course. ·: In implementing this scheme Post-Graduates Assistants in. certain . categories of schools were appointed as Junior Lecturers in Junior · B · Colleges. The petitioners in Representation Petition 595 of 1977 and·· · batch, out of which Civil Appeals 1652 to 1659of1978 have arisen . and Transferred Writ Petition 941 of 1976, out of·which Civil Appeal . 415 of 1979. has arisen. and those in certain other. Representation Petitions and Transferred Writ.Petitions 785 and 1246 of 1976·were. appointed as Junior Lecturers•.. Prior to .their appointment as. C · Junior Lecturers they were ·au Post-Graduate. School, Assistants or· Headmasters .. in· various · schools.· .The private respondents , in Representation Petitions: 595 'of. 1977 and batch and • the petitioners in Transferred Writ Petition 941 of 1976 were seniors as.·. Post-Graduate School Assistants to the petitioners in Representation. 595 of 1977 and batch and the private respondents in ·Transferred D· Writ Petition 941 of 1976 ... The said senior Post-Graduate Assistants are ali third class Post:Graduate degree holders whereas the. said Junior Post-Graduate School Assistants are all first or second class • · Post Graduate ·degree , holders. Based on their superior academic. · -qualification those first and second class Post-Graduate School - E: · Assistants were· given priority and treated. as seniors to the- said third . class Post-graduate School Assistants in. the seniority list prepared in 1974 "after th~y were appointed• as Junior Lecturers. ·. The petitioners· in Representation . Petitions 595 of 1977 and batch and the petitioners in Transferred Writ Petition 941 'of 1976 were appoint- ed in 1969;, 1970 and .1975 as. Junior .Lecturers. In Writ Appeals. ·F; · 920 and 938of1975 the Andhra Pradesh High Court gave directions. 7' .'to prepare a c<immon· seniority list of junior Lecturers ill accordance with Rule 13(1) of the Adhoe Rules framed by the Govemn'.ient in G.O.Ms. 939, Education, dated 19.9.1973. Pursuant ·to that direction a revised seniority list of Junior Lecturers was issued by the Govern- · G '· ment on 27.12.1976. · In the seniority list of I 974 the petitioners in .Representation Petition 595 ofJ977 had been placed at Nos. 17, 15, · 20, 2..' • 23"40 and 4 I respectively, and on the basis of that seniority. junior Lecturers up to the rank of 40 in that list had been promoted· . . as Principals of hrious'junior Colleges and the' seventh petitioner in• H; · Representation Petition 595of1977 who had been placed at· No. 41 · in that list \vas· awaiting his promotion as Principal of junior College.-' But in the revised seniority lj~t of 1976 those petitioners have been ' t- • '·· ' • • • • • l ' ~

'b,V. REDDY v. ANDHRA PRADESH (Varadarajan, J.) 561

.....- / placed at Nos. 380, 54, 390, 392, 406, 368 and 374 respectively and the private respondents in that Representation Petition have all been placed above them as their seniors. the seniority of the petitioners in the other Representation Petitions in the batch was also disturbed to their disadvantage in the revised seniority list of 1976. the Representation Petitions were therefore ·filed for quashing the revised seniority list issued by the first respondent State of Andhra Pradesh in 1976 so far as the petitioners are concerned and for restoration of their ~Id seniority as per the earlier seniority list . of 1974 or in the alternative for declaring that Rule 13(1) of the Adhoc Rules, 1973 · dealing with seniority of junior Lecturers is violative of Articles 14 and 16 ·.of the Constitution. The only question arising for con· sideration in Representation Petition 595 of. 1977 and batch out of which Civil Appeals 1652 to 1659 of 1978 have arisen c is the question of s~niority of the Petitioners in those petitions (appellants in Civil Appeals 1652 to 1659 of 1978). Though in - Transferred Writ Petition 941 of 1976 out of which Civil Appeal 415 of 1979 has ariseu three reliefs were prayed for viz. (I) that an inte· grated seniority list based on Rule 13 of the Adhoc Rules, 1973 should D be issued in respect of all Juniqr Lecturers ; (2) that Rule 6 of the

--• Adhoc Rules framed in G.0.Ms. 502, Education, dated 19.6.1974 by which first and second class post-graduate degree has been prescribed for promotion of junior Lecturers as ·Principals .of Junior Colleges should be struch down as being illegal and (3) that adhoc appoint· E of ments seven third class Post-Graduate degree holders as Principals of Junior Colleges made in proceedings dated 14.3.1974 of the second respondent, Director of Public Jmtructions should be declared illegal, Mr. S.N. Kackar, Senior Advocate appearing for the appellants in Civil Appeal 415of1979 confined bis arguments to the second prayer alone viz. the attack on Rule 6 of the Adhoc Rules framed G.O.Ms. F 502, Education, dated 19.6.1974 which prescribes first or second class Post-Graduate degree for promotion' of Junior Lecturers as Principals of Junior Colleges, which has been dealt wtth by the· Tribunal in paragraph 6 of its judgment in Transferred Writ Petition 941 of 1976. We shall consider these two questions in this common judgme~t. We

, ...... G shall also consider briefly the third prayer made in Transferred Writ Petition 941 of 1976 which has been negatived by the Tribunal. We may state that the first prayer made in Transferred Writ Petition 94i of 1976 will be covered by, our finding on the only point arising for consideration in Civil Appeals 1652 to 1659 of 1978. H Mr. M.N. Phadke, Senior Advocate appearing for tlie appellants in, Civil Appeals 1(\52 to 1~59 of 197~ qrew our attention to the

562 SUPREMJ(COURT <REPORTS '

' 'specialprovisi~Xs in var'iolls G~vernme~~ Orders w'hich ;.;.e· eiecutivc ·A instructionsissu~d beforetheAdhoc Rules'were framed under the· proviso to Article 309 of the ConstitutiOn on '19.9.1973 and 'to· ·some ,Special provisions ,made even: in• those adhoc' rules sh/>wing prefe'rence and priority for P-ost-Gradiiate School Assistants 'holdiiig first and · second·· class· 'Post!Grad'uate . degrees over such· Assistants· holding _: . only thiid dass Post~Graduate d!grees in the -matter: of appofotment .·as JuniOt Lectur~rs in Junior Colleges and .of· promotion of Junior· . tecturesrs as .'Principals:· - ,. ,., '..- _- of .'Junior ' . Colleges and - .,submitted '-" . : - ' - --- _, . fixing seniority of Junior Lecturers holding· first and 'second Glass . ' 'that '

• Post-GradJate degree;, f()mii~g one group and of those holding third · ,'class'~ost-Graduate degi-~es; rorming anot~er group,•oi{ the basis· of - . C 'the-dates of their 'original appointment ·as Post;Graduatc' School - - ~-A~sistai:itsis arbitary anl therefore _the impugned seniority list· of· ~ . _1976 should be quashed_ and the seniority of the petitioners in' the ·· 'Reprsentation Petitions {appellants in Civil Appeals f65? to· 1659 'of . - "i978) fixed in tb.e list 'of. 1974 'should be restored.' "But Mr.' T.S. !D - , krishqa MoortY. Tyer Senior Adv~cate :. appearing_: for.the· con testing . , .- · _._ private respondents ·3, 5; 8 and 9 in Civil Appeals 1652 to 1659 to · Jns argued that before their appointment' as 'Jllnior Lecturers ·Post_ ' . • • '. " ~ . '' - , . t • • " - . - , - Graduate Ass15tants holdmg first, second. and third class Post- Graduat~ Degrees were:doing the sa~e'work and drawi~g -the same ._' ':..

. : scale of pay. 'Jie submitted that though in G.O.Ms. 20~,' Education, . 0 .'---.:__

E " dated 25.8.1969 !twas stated thit first or second Class Post·Gcaduates a --- will be given higher start of Rs: 260 in the pay scale of Rs. 200-15- - . 320·20-500 and third class Post-Graduates will be allowed. only ·the . pay dtawn by them -before their appointment as Junior· Lecturers in. the pay scale of Rs: 200-500 if their. pay-was more than ihe. minimnm , · - • - 'of the new. seaie on th~ir'appoiniment as Junior Le</turers, nothing F is mentioned in the Adhoc Rules, 1973 about salary; and this .would show that ·under tlie Adhoc Rules rio · new· service was 'created but only the previous se~ice created by <the executive instructions. was ccmtinued ind 'that in all fairness and justice the private respondents in Civil Appeals 1652 to 1659 of l978 who had been appointed as . G Post-Gradllaie. School· ·Assistants' prior to - the appellants in those · · ·appeals should be regarded as ·their - seniors. as h_ad -heen . done - in · • the impugned seniority list' of 1976 prepared in accordance with the •directions given by' the AlldhraPradesh-High Court in· its jUdginent · in' Writ Appeals ~20 and 938 of 1975. Mr. P. Rama'. Reddy, Senior ' H_- -Advocate appearing for the official respondents in all the civil appeals supported the impugned judgment of the Tribunal sayiiig that the first; second and third class Post-Graduate Assistants ·before 'they ~; . ~' -. -: .~ . . - -.:

B.V. REDDY v. ANDERA PRADESH (Varadarajan, J.) 563 ' . - ' were appointed as Junior Lecturers belonged to the same class and were drawing the same pay and doing the same kind of work and that seniority after their appointment as Junior Lecturers should be fixed on the basis o_f the dates of their original appointment as Post Graduate School Assistants, as has been done in the impugned seniority list of 1976. B As stated above, in G.O.Ms. 2063, Education, dated 25.8.1969 . Government ordered that first or second class Post-Graduates will be given a higher. start of Rs. 260 in. the new Junior Lecturers' pay scale of Rs. 200-15-320-20-500 and third class Post-Graduates will be allowed only the pay dw,rn by them 'before their -appoint ment as Junior Lecturers in the scale of Rs. 200-500 if their c pay was more than the minimum of the new ·scale of Rs. 200-15- 320-20,500. In G.O.Ms. 2186, Education, dated 17.9.1969 Govern-_ meat decided that all the existing Post-Graduate teachers who will be absorbed in Junior Colleges will -be appointed temporarily as Junior Lecturers pending framing of adh0c rules in due course D and that in regard to appointmept of Post-Gradi.Jaks as Junior Lecturers fn Junior Colleges priority will be given to those who are in the scale of pay of Rs. 180-350 and are suitable and willing .to be absorbed as per seniority as indicated below :

(a) First and second class Post-Graduates working as E • Post-Graduate Assistants:

(b) Third class Post Graduates with not -less then five years of service, working ·as Post Graduate Assistants; F (c) Third class Post Graduates with less than five years of service, working as Post Graduate Assistants;

(d) Lastly, trained graduates possessing Post Graduate , Diploma in Physical Sciences, working in- the Post -G Graduate Assistants' scale.

/'" In G.O.Ms. 1147, Education, dated 4.6.1970 Government. reiterated the aforesaid decision taken in G.O.Ms. 2186, Education dated 17.9.1969 regarding priority to be given to first and second class Post-Graduates ·over third class Post-Graduates, based on the r~eommendatio11:s of the Vice Chancellors' Conference and stateq

. 564 SUPREME COURT REPORT [1983] 3 s.c.R.

that they consider that in the common seniority list first rank should be !iiven only to those who have secured first or second class with 50 marks and above and thrid class Post-Graduates should be given rank with reference to their services viz. those with five years of service, working as Post-Graduate Assistans, next to the first and second class Post-Graduates, working as Post-Graduates Assistants . I) B and thereafter those with less than: five years of service, working· as Post Graduate Assistants. Government have observed in that G.0. that this manner ofcreating seniority is reasonable. · These orders are all no doubt in the nature of executive instructions.

The Adhoc Rules were framed under the proviso to Article c 309 of the Constitution with retrospective effect from 1.8.1969 in G.O.Ms. 939, Education, dated 19.9.1973 for the temporary posts of Junior Lecturers in Government Degree and Junior Colleges in . Andhra Pradesh. Rule 3 (I) and (2) of those rules reads as follows:- D . "3, Appointment :- (I) Appointments . to this class shall be made as follows :- (i) firstly by appointment of Post Graduate Assistants in Category I-A of Clause II and Selection· Grade Assistants in Grade I. of Category 2 of Class II of E The Andhra Pradesh Educational Subordinate Service, or Head Masters of High Schools and Post Graduate Assistants in Zilla Parishad High Schools and such of the Municipal Schools as are converted into Junior Colleges. ,._ F, (ii) Secondly, if there are no suitable and qualified persons available for ..appointment under clause (i); . then, by appointment of trained Graduates possessing Post Graduate Diploma lo Physical Sciences in the scale of pay admissible to Post Graduate Assistants G immediately before the commence.men! of these rules. ' (iii) Thirdly, if there are no suitable and qulified persons . available for appointment under ~uh-clause (i) or H .sub-clause (ii) :-

(a) By recruitment from among the Head Masters alld Post Graduate Assistants in recognised

B,V. REDDY v. ANDHRA PRADESH (Varadarajan, J.) 565

Multi-purpose or Higher Secondary Schools under private management or under the manage- A ment of a Municipality which are not con- verted into Junior Colleges; or i l, (b) By transfer from School Assistants in Grade ii Category 2 in Class II and· Pandits (including B Hindi pandits), Munshis Grade I in Category I of Class III of the Andhra Pradesh Educational Subordinate Service or by recruitment by transfer from any other service; or

(c) By direct recruitment: c (2) Preference shall be given for appointment under clause (I) or sub-clause (a) of Clause (iii) of sub-clause I - . • . .· '. ,.- D (a) Firstly tq persons with First or Second class P.G. Degree; ' • (b) Secondly to persons with a third class Post Graduate Degree with not less than five Y.ealS .of service as Post Graduate Assistants or Seleciion Grade Assis- E tants in the Andhta ·Pradesh Educational Subordinate Service or as a Head Master of a Zilla Parishad High School or as a Post Graduate Assistant in a School .' under the management of a Zilla Parishad or a Municipality; ·F

.. (cl Thirdly to person with a third class Post Graduate Degree with less than five years of service as a Post Graduate Assistant or a Selection Grade Assistant i~ the Andhra Pradesh Educational Subordinate Service G or as a Head Master of a High School or Post Graduate Assistant in a school under the management of a Zilla Parishad cir of Municipality. t ..................................... " ..................." . H It is not disputed before .us·. that the petitioners in ·11-epresen- ntation: Petition 595 of 1977 and batch (app~llants in Civil Appeals

566 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [19.83] 3 s.c.R.

1652 to 1659 of 1978) fall under the above preferred clause (a) and that· the contesting priviate respondents in' those appeals and the appellants in Civil Appeal 415 of 1979 fall under the above clause (b) or clause (c) and they would have come up for consideration for appointment as Junior Lecturers only after those falling under the above seccfud clause (a). Thus, the preference given to first and second class Post Graduate Assistants in the matter of appointment as Junior ·Lecturers in G.0.Ms. 2186, Education dated 17.9.1969 has. been maintained even in the Adhoc Rules, 1973.

As submitted by Mr. T.S. Krishna Moorthy Iyer there is nothing in the Adhoc Rules, 1973 regarding the salary of first and second class Post Graduate Assistants on the one hand and of third class Post Graduate School Assistants on the other on their appoint· ment as Junior Lecturers. Therefore, G.0.Ms. 2063, Education, dated 25.8.1969 by which first and second class Post Graduates are given a higher start of Rs. 215t inthe new Junior Lecturers' pay scale ) of Rs. 200-15-320-20-500 and third class Post Graduates are given . only the pay drawn by them before their appointments as Junior Lecturers in the scale of Rs. 200-500 if their pay was· more than. the minimum of the new scale of Rs. 200-15-320-20-500 continues to govern the matter of pay. This position is not disputed before us. Thus, in the matter of ~ay also first and second class Post-Graduate Assistants who are appointed as Junior Lecturers are placed in a better and. preferential position than third class Post "Graduate Assistants who are appointed as fonior Lecturers.

Some time after the Adhoc Rules were framed· on 19.9.1973, '- F Government framed Adhoc Rules under the· proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution in G.O;Ms. 502, Education, dated 19.6.1974 for the tempo~ary posts of Principals of Junior Colleges in Andhra Pradesh with retrospective effect from 1.8,1969. According to ·those rules the posts of Principals of Junior Colleges form a separate class in the administrative section of the Andhra Pradesh Educational G Service, and appointment to that class should be made; (a) by ' -i. recruitment by transfer from Junior Lecturers in the Andhra Pradesh Educational Subordinate Service who have opted or are deemed to have opted to remain as Junior Lecturers, or (b) by recruitment by- .H transfer of.Schools Assistants in Grade I and Deputy Inspectors: of Schools Grade I in Category 2 of clause II of the Andhra Pradesh • Educational Subordinate Service. ·Rule 6 of those Rules states that no person shall be eligibl.e for appointment to 'this class unless he

n.v. REDDY. v. ANDHRA PRADESH (Varadarajan, J,) 567

holds a first or second cfass Post·Gra"duate degree'··Of M.A;; M. Sc., M. Com., B.A (Hons.), B. Sc. (Hons.), or ·B. Com (Hons.) of a A University in India established or incorporated by or under a Central Act. or· a .l'rov\ncial, Act, or a ,State, Act .or institutions ' .1. . \ tecongnised by the University Grants Commission. This rule which isJmpugne!l_in Civj] Appea\ 415of1979.prescri!ies a_ fi,rst qr second ~lass Pqsi~Graduate degree.for promotion .of.Junior Lecturers .to ·the B P.O.~ts ,of Principals of ~uniqt Cpll~ges., .!Jnqer .t)lis. ,,rule .third . class f9st Graduate,J~njor Lect\i.r.ers ;are. not _eligii?!e. for.. proiµoti_on as frincipa}~ of}ul\iO! C.o.l,leges. Thµ_s, even,in the matter ,of_pron)(lc !i()n,as.Pfincipals of Jµ.n_ior 1...\:olleg~~ •. first amt 5ecoµd, cl1J.ss P()$t• Gr~ill!ate JunJqr Lecturer~ have'. priority. a_nd preferen~ over. third class Post-Graduate Junior Lecturers who are _not ~ligible at all: 1for c p~omotion as Principals .on acco.unt. of the inferiority of their qcade_m_ic attainments so long as they remain only third class Post G,raduates.

1 ~·-:fJ' ft ,.,., ,.• 1. Now '"·· l•h_"tl••• '·"'1f11. "l '' Rule 13 dealing with seniority of junior Lecturers reads as I'•! If. D ' ~ '" follows:-

~- 13. Senfoiity : (i) the seniority of a person appointed under clause (i) and (ii) of Sub-rule (l) of :Rule 3 shali be determined with reference to the· date of the ictual E • appointment as a Post Graduate Assistant or the probable date on which he would have been appointed . .., as a Post Graduate Assistanf but" for his appoint- ment or promotion to a higher post; (2) The seniopty qf jlllY per1<1n app9ip~ed ,under .yl;ms,e, (iiJ ?f s11b:111le, (l) , of ,)~ul~ 3,,,~h,a.J.l )e .... <\e,termirwd ,_Vl(ith, F rcfesence to the date -0f commencement .of his proba- tion;

Provided that n~. such person shail be· se'nfor. to any ... person appointed utider 'clause (ij or (ii). of sub-rule (I) B of Rule J.

. .• . ·- ••• 1. ' I . Provided. further_ that no person appointed under sub- clause (b) 9r ,sub'.clause (c) of clause (iii) of sub-.rule II) G of _Ru)~ .3. shall be" .senior .to a person appointed uncler sub-clause (a) of that clause",

S68. SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1983) 3 s.c.R. It was submitted before us that these two provisos to sub-rule (2) of Ruie 13 have been struck down by the Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal.

The main question for consideration is whethe'r in spite ·of the aforesaid provisions in· the executive instructions and adhoc rules B 'providing for preferential treatment and position to hojders of first and second class Post-Graduate Degrees in the matter of appoint• ment as Junior becturers, their starting pay and subsequent promotion as Principals of Junior Colleges, particularly· (I) G.0.Ms. 1147, Education, dated 4.6.1970 in which Government considered and decided that in the common seniority list first rank should be given c only two those who have secured first or second class Post-Graduate degree with 50 per cent marks and above and third class Post• Graduate Degree holders with not less than five years of service, working as Post Graduate Assistants should be ranked next and third class Post Graduate Degree holders with less than five years of service, D 'YOrking as Post Graduate Assisiants, should rank next, and (2) Rule (' 3(1) (i) and (2) of the Adhoc Rules,. 1973 according to which in the appointment of Junior Lecturers preference has to be given firstly to persons with first or second class Pos_t Graduate Degrees, secondly to persons with third class Post Graduate Degrees with not less than five years of service as Post Graduate Assistants and thirdly to persons E with third class Post Graduate Degrees with less than five years of service as Post Graduate Assistants, Rule 13(1) of the Adhoc Rules confers seniority on third class Post Graduate Junior Lecturers over • first and second class Post Graduate Junior Lecturers based on their earlier appointment as Post Graduate Assistants. F There is nothing on record to show that while framing Rule 13(1) of the Adhoc Rules Government intended to depart from the 'policy earlier enunciated in G.0.Ms. 1147, Education, dated 4.6.1970 as regards conferment of seniority on first and second class Post- Graduate School Assistants appointed as Junior Lecturers and Rule G 3(1) (i) and (2) of the Adhoc Rules, 1973 as regards preference of first and second class Post-Graduate School Assistants over third class Post-Graduate School Assistants. On the other hand, thefact that in the seniority list prepared in 1975 _so soon after the Adhoc Rules were framed on 19.9.1973 higher places were given to first and second class Post-Graduate Junior Lecturers over third class Post- Graduate Junior Lecturers although the first' and second class Junior {Acturer~ wer~ Juniors to the thir4 ~1<1,ss P<;>st.Graduate Junior

il.v. REDDY v. ANDHRA PRADESH (Varadarqjan, J.) S69 --f Lecturers when they were all-Post-Graduate School Assistants would indicate that the Government who framed the Adhoc Rules themselves interpreted Rule 13(1) in the manner in which. the appellants in (:ivil Appeals 1652 to 1659 of 1978 invite us to do, giving full effect to the priority laid down in Rule 3(1) and (2) of the Adhoc Rules which follows· the policy laid down in that regard in G.O.Ms .. 1147, Education, dated 4.6.1970. It is true that we cannot base our - B decision on this question on that fact alone especially having regard to the stand now taken before us and the Tribunal by the Govern- ment as regards the interpretation of Rule 13(1) which perhaps they are obliged to take in view of the direction given by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Writ Appeals .920 to 938 of 1975 whichis binding on them to prepare a fesh seniority list as has been done c by them subsequently in 1976 whichis impugned in Civil Appeal~ 1652 to 1659 of 1978. As stated earlier there is no material on record to show that the Government had any reason, policy or otherwise, when they fr;imed the Adhoc Rules, 1973 to depart from what they had decided in G.0.Ms. 1147, Education, dated 4.6.1970 about how D · seniority should be accorded. There is no reason to think that the _Government intended by Rule 13(1) of the Adhoc Rules to take away -~ from the first and second class Post-Graduate Junior Lecturers the preference shown to them over third class Post-Graduate Junior Lecturers in the executive instructions especially G.0.Ms. 1147, Edu- cation, dated 4.6.1970 and even in Rule 3(1) and (2) of the Adhoc E· Rules, 1973. As contended by the appellants in Civil Appeals 1652 to 1659 of 1978 Rules 3(1) and (2) and 13(1) have to be read together. Only then there will be harmony between those rules. If Rule 13(1) is read without reference to Rule 3( 1) arid (2) the consequence will be disharmony and the first and the second class Post-Graduate Junior Lecturers who were given preference over third class Post-Graduate F Junior Lecturers by the other provisions mentioned above, will be placed in a Jess advantageous and inferior position as compared with third class Post-Graduate Junior Lecturers as regards seniorit~ alone, whi_ch will not even help them in the matter of promotion as Principals of Junior Colleges in view of Rule 6 of Adhoc Rules, 1974 G so long as they do not improve their academic attainment by obtain- -~ ing a first or second class Post Graduate Degree. Every · rule in the Adhoc Rules must be given its full, natural and legal effect. There 1s no doubt that Rule 13(1) is inartistically worded though when read Rule 3(1) and (2) it would be clear that the principal laid H down in it has to be applied separately to each of the three categories of Junior Lecturers mentioned in Rule 3(1) and (2) viz. 1) first and

s7o SUPREME COURT "· ~ [19S3j 3 s.c.~. second class-Post Graduates, (2) third class Post-Graduates with not · less than five years of service, working as Post Graduate School Assistants, and (3) third class Post Graduates with less than five years ·of service, working as Post-Graduate School Assistants . according to the order in' which they have to be selected for appointment as Junior ·Lecturers. Each of these three categories forms a distinct and sepa~ B rate category. The first category consists of first ·and second class . Post·Graduate, and on their appointment as Junior Lecturers their 'inter se· seniority has to he fixed urider Rule 13(1 J with reference to 'the dates of their original- appohitment as Post Graduate School Assistants. · When PostcGraduates with not ·less than five years 'Of . 1'ervice working as Post' Graduate ·school ·Assistants are appointed as c "Junior Lecturers their inter se ·seniority has ·fo be fixed likewise under ·Rule 13{i) ·oh the basis <if the dates ·of their original appointment as ·'Post Graduates School'Assistants. Similarly, when Post Graduates ·with less than five ye;us of service; working ·as Post Graduate School Assistants are appointed as Junior:Lecturers their inter 'se seniority D ..has to be fixed on the basis of the da.tes of their original appointment as 'Post-Graduate .School Assistants. If Rule 13(11 is interpreted ·in this ·manner,. no. 'disharmony will ·result in the consequences of applying all 'the adhoc 'rules · We think that only· by construing 'Rule 13(1) in this 'manner 'the Government frarned the seniority _ · 1ist of 1974 soon after'framing .the Adhoc Rules, 1973 by according ·.~ E ·.'seniority · to.' the 'first 'and second '·class Post:. Graduate Junior "Lecturers :over' the ·third class 'Post-Graduate ·:Junior Lecturers . - · who·were senior to them when •all 'of them ~ere working as Post 'Graduate' School Assistants before they 'were· appointed as 'Junior . -LeCturers. F '· As stated earlier, before the ·Tribunal it· was argued for the p;iv~te respondents 3 to 8 in Representation Petitfon ·.595 of 1977 ·that th~ prayer for quashing Rule 13 (I) of the Adhoc Rules' has to 'be negatived in veiw of the High Court's judgments in Writ Petition ~4358 of 1974 and Writ 0Appeals 920 and 938 of 1975 and that-it 'is 'G rnot ihe contention of the petitioners in that petition that the 'impugned revised seniority list of 1976 ·is Contrary to the directions ' given in. 'tliose jndgnients. :In ·the view •we take •regarding the interpretation of Rule 13 (I) there is ·no need for quashing that :nlle. ·It is true that the petitioners in Representation Petition. 595 ·of ·1977 H have ;,_otcontended that the impugned seniority ·list 'of '1976 is not in accordance with 1he directions given in the Hi&h ·Court's Judg- ments in those Writ Petition and Writ Appeals. The petitioners in .

il:V· REDDY v. ANDHRA P)tADESH (Va!'!.darajan, J.). S11

Representation Petition 595 of 1977 haye .contende,d that !pose judgnieilis relate to the 1969 b~tch and that they belong to 1960. batcli and would not be affected by them. Whatever this may mean, it inust be noted that it' has not been contended by th~ respo,ndents in Civil Appeals 1652 to 1659 of 1978 that the appellant~ in those appelas were parties to those judgments and they constitjite res judicata and are binding on them. Therefore, there is 'no substance in this contention of the private respondents in Representation Petition 595 of 1977.

Next it was contende.d. before the Tribunal by the private responqen!s in Representati9n Petitiou.595 of 1977 that, they.; were appqi11ted earlier as· Post Graduate School; Assistants than ·the. c pe\itioriers in that 'Petition and were. qualif\ed to be appointed; as Junior Lecturers when.the petitioners in that petition were. appointed as sµch, but were not ava(lable for )l<!sting, and .that under Rule. 3J (c) of the Andhra Pradesh State and Sub0r4inate. Service Rules they are entitled to seniorjty. T)l.at rule. applies to persons who were transferred from one. ciaos or ·category (lf. service, to an.ot.h,er. D cfass or ca~egory of the same service, and' wo1,1ld cnot apply__ to. the facts of the present. case wh~re Junio.r Lecqrrers have beeµ appointed by sel~9tion amongst Post Gradua~e . School Assistants in ---,,.,.,. the manner indicated in Rule 3 (I) and. (2) of the Adhoc .Rules an<! of there is no question of transfer Post .Graduate. School Assistants as E Junior Lecturers'. Therefore, there is no, merit . even in the. sc:con4. co11~~!1tion put forw!ird o~ be)lalf, of, the·, pr,ivate respond~($, i~. Representation '-..." .•A, • ·~ , Petition ,,~ • 595 of' 1977.

· • T~ere .is no cm~stiop. of this Court striking down Rule. 13 (I) of t~e Adlioc Rules. on the gr(lund that any. other_.rule whichdn. the F opinion of the C:ourt would have been better or. more . appropriate. Tli~~~fore, the decision in R~serve Bank of India v. N.C. ·pa/iwal('} relied. on for the. prJvate respon\!ents 3 to 8 in Representation Petition

595. of 1977 bnfore the Trib1,1nal is not relevant. It is only a .question of int~.rpr~~.tion (lf Rule 13 (I) read with Rule 3 (!} .and (2} .of•the G Adhoc.... . Rules, . I 973...

In these circumstances, we hold that R,ule 13(1) of the Adhoc R1;1l~s, I.97~ has to 'be interpreted in the .manner indicated abo~e, . H and semonty has to be fi~ed accordin~ly and there is no need to

(I) AIR 1976 S.C. 2342.

S?i SUPREME COURT RBPoRTS (19831 3 S.C.R. quash that rule and that the impugned seniority list of 1976 has to be quashed and the seniority list of 1974 has to be restored. It would follow that the first prayer in Civil Appeal 415 of 1979 regarding fixing of seniority as prayed for by third class ]>ost · Graduate Junior Lecturers has to be rejected and it is a.ccordingly rejected. · . . B Coming now to the only point argued by Mr. S. N. Kackar, ·Senior Advocate for the petitioners in Transferred Writ Petition 941 of 1976 (Civil Appeal 415 of 1979) that Rule 6 of the Adhoc Rules, ·1974 prescribing a first or second class Post Graduate Degree for a Junior Lecturer's promotion as Principal of a Junior College, thereby c excluding third class Post-Graduate Junior Lecturers from eligibility for promotion as Principals, we would like to state at the outset that the contention put forward before the ,.ribunal tbat the posts of Principals are administrative posts and no teaching experience is required is incorrect. The Director of Public Instructions has D stated in his Proceedings Re. No. 1068/IC-4/7.0 dated 16.l.197l that Principals of Junior Colleges must take at least six periods of work· per week if not more. Therefore, Principals of Junior Colleges have to take up teaching work in addition to their administrative duties. They are administrative heads of Junior Colleges where first, second and third class Post Graduates work as Junior Lecturers. They E have to exercise administrative control over first, second and third class Post-Graduate Junior Lecturers. It is therefore very desirable that the Principals should be first or second class Post Graduates. Post of Principals of Junior Colleges are gazetted while those of Junior Lecturers of those colleges are not gazetted. According to F G.O. Ms. 206', Education, dated 25.8.1969 Principals of Junior Colleges will have the status of Senior Lecturers in Degree Colleges and their pay scale is Rs. 400-800 while the pay scale of Junior Lecturers is· Rs. 200-.15-320-20-500. The object of achieving excellence in educational institutions like Junior Colleges is a laudable one, and excellence in academic attainments of heads of· such institutions is a G relevant fact. Promotion of Junior Lecturers as Principals is based only on merit judge~ by their academic distinction which cannot be said to be discriminatory. The ratio of this Court's decision in S. •M. Pandit v. ·State of Gujarat(') referred to above cannot be applied to the facts of th@ present case. Prescribing a first or H second class Post-Graduate Degree for the head of an educational

\I) (1972] S.L.R. 79.

B.V. REDDY v. ANDERA PRADESH (Varatfarojrn, J.) 573

institution ·has a direct ne~us with the object of excellence sought to be achieved, and it cannot be said to be discriminatory. Therefore, we do not think that Rule 6 of the Adhoc Rules, 1974 is liable to be struck down as being discriminatory and illegal.

Pending the framing of Adhoc Rules . for the temporary posts of Principals of Junior Colfoges, the .Director of Public Instructions D issued proceedings in Re 775-Cl/2/74 dated 14.3.1974 promo.ting under Rule I O(a) (i) of the State and Subordinate Service Rules seven third class Post Graduate Junior Lecturers as Principals of Junior Colleges. The third prayer in Transferred Writ· Petition 7146 of 1976 is that those appointments should be declared as inegal. Under Rule 6(ii) of the Adhoc Rules, 1974 framed subsequently in G.O. c Ms. 502, Education, dated 19.6.1974 three years' service in the Andhra Pradesh Edui;ational Subordinate Service is prescribed as a qualification for promotion of Junior L~turers "as Principals of Junior Colleges in addition to a first or second clasr Post Graduate Degree. It is not known whether when those promotions of seven I) third class Post-Graduate Junior Lecturers as Principals were made first or second class Post-Graduate Junior Lecturers were not avail· able for promotion or why after the Adhoc Rules, 1974 were framed within about thre~ months thereafter those third class Post-Graduate Junior Lecturers were not reverted as Junior Lecturers. Their promotions were irregular having. regard to the fact that even for appointment as Junior Lecturers preference has to be given to first and second class Post-Graduate School Assistants. The irregularity has been sought to be overlooked by providing a saving clause by way of Rule 8 of the Adhoc Rules, 1974 where it is stated that notwithstanding anything contained in those rules a person who held the post of Prmcipal of a Junior College immediately before the issue of those rules and who was not appointed in accordance with those rules, shall be continued as Principal and he is given an option either to continue in the post of Principal or to revert to his original post. We do not think that there could have been any valid necessity to continue those adhoc promotions made even after the Adhoc Rules, 1974 were framed within about three months of those promotions. We think that there is no meaning in providing for the option in that rule as it is not likely that a person who has been promoted as Principal in the grade of Rs.. 400-800 would voluntarily opt for reverting to his original post of Junior Lecturer H in the grade of Rs. 2QQ·l5·320-20-50Q. However, having regard to

s74 supui.ii! couirr isroRrs [1983] 3 s.c.R.

th~ long fapse ohime we do not thirik it desfrable to deciare those . appoiiitirlerits as illegal. In the result tivii Appeals i652 to 165§ of j97g ar~ allowed as indicated.above and Civil Appeal 415 of 1979 is dismissed. The contesting respondents in Civil Appeals 1652 to 1659 .of 1978 shall pay the costs of the appe'lants . in those appeals. Advocate's fees B .one set. The parties shall bear their respective costs in Civil Appeal 4i5;of' 1g79,

H.S,J([,. CA Nos. 1652·59 of 1978 allowed aiid CA No. 415 of 1979 dismis$e'/J.