N A PATEL Vs. K G CHAUHAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) The appellants are holding the post of "deputy Chitnis" in the District panchayat, Mehsana in the State of Gujarat. Respondents 1 to 10 are holding the post of Senior Clerk in the District Panchayat, Mehsana. The post of deputy Chitnis is a promotional post from the post of a Senior Clerk. The appellants were also originally holding the post of Senior Clerks.

(3.) The Panchayat Services (Senior Clerk and Avalkarkun Qualifying examination) Rules, 1976 (hereinafter referred to as "the 1976 Rules") govern the superior Panchayat Service which covers Clerks, Senior Clerks and Avalkarkuns. By an amendment of the 1976 Rules made in 1990, Senior panchayat Service now includes Clerks, Senior Clerks, Deputy Chitnis, deputy Mamlatdar, Assistant Taluka Development Officer, Deputy Taluka development Officer and Taluka Panchayat Officer. Avalkarkun is now replaced by Deputy Chitnis and these other categories of employees.