DINKAR ANNA PATIL Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) LEAVE granted.

(2.) THE appellants are the direct recruits as Sales Tax Officers Class-I in the Sales Tax Department of the State of Maharashtra. THEy were appointed on or after 6/09/1988, after following the prescribed procedure laid down in the Maharashtra Sales Tax Officers Class-I (Recruitment) Rules, 1982 which came into force on 14/10/1982. Respondents 4 to 10 are the departmental promotees to the post of Sales Tax Officers Class-I who will be hereinafter referred to as "promotees". THE appellants seek to impinge the judgment and order dated 7/06/1997 passed by the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal, Mumbai Bench, Mumbai (for short the Tribunal) On Original Application No. 126 of 1995 filed by them challenging the legality and correctness of certain seniority lists published in 1991, 1993 and 1994. THEse seniority lists are in respect of Sales Tax Officers Class-I comprising of promotees and direct recruits.

(3.) IT was admitted on behalf of the State Government that the number of posts of Sales Tax Officers Class-II was 472 till the Government converted 382 posts into Sales Tax Officers Class-I with effect from the date of filling the posts vide G.R. dated 16/06/1982.