PUNEET AGARWAL Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner herein was selected in Indian Administrative Service in Civil Services Examination (CSE, 1997). He belongs to the General Category and secured fifth position in the combined merit list of the said examination. He was allocated to Manipur Tripura joint cadre of the IAS. According to him, this allotment of Maniput-Tripura cadre was contrary to the provisions of 'principles of cadre allocation' as enumerated in D.O. letter dated 31.5.1985 and on the right application of the aforesaid provisions, he should have been allocated Maharashtra cadre. His representation for change of cadre was turned down vide letter dated 11.8.1998.

(2.) Challenging the aforesaid decision of the respondent, the petitioner approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (hereinafter referred to as 'the Tribunal') by filing OA No.1080/1999 under Section 19 of the Central Administrative Act. His contention, however, has not found favour with the Tribunal, as a result whereof, the Tribunal has dismissed the said OA vide impugned orders dated 16.5.2000.

(3.) Not satisfied with the outcome, the petitioner seeks judicial review of the aforesaid orders by means of instant writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. The controversy is in narrow compass and revolves around the following facts: