RAMESH CHAND Vs. STATE OF HARYANA & ORS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) The appellant and the respondent No.2 were both Assistants in the Panchayat Department of the State of Haryana. The contentious issue between the two of them is the post of Legal Officer( Panchayat) in the District Headquarters.

(3.) On 28th August, 1998, a letter was issued to all Deputy Commissioners, all District Developmen t and Panchayat officers, all Block Development and Panchayat officers and the Principal of th e State Community Development Training Centre inviting them to forward names of officers/offic ials for filling up one post of Legal Officer (Panchayat) which was lying vacant at the Distri ct Headquarters. The post was to be filled up by promotion amongst the eligible Officers/offi cials of the Development and Panchayat Department. The qualifications prescribed for the pos t were (a) Law Graduate from a recognized University; and (b) five years' experience in a ministerial/executive post i n the Development and Panchayat Department. The letter required each of the addressees to for ward the names of officers/officials who fulfilled the aforesaid qualifications and had "good service record" and who were desirous of being considered. The circular ends with the follo wing words:-