ALIDA C.K. Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners are B.Sc. (Forestry) graduates, who seeks consideration under Exhibit P2 notification. Admittedly Exhibit P2 notification permits Agro Forestry graduates who have completed their degree course of four year duration to be qualified to be appointed as Agricultural Field Officer, while the Forestry graduates have not been included. The petitioners' contention essentially is that there is no degree in "Agro -Forestry" granted by any of the Universities in India and the same is even accepted by the 2nd respondent, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, as is evidenced at Exhibit P9. The petitioners also rely on Exhibit P10 to contend that the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare had sought for amendment to include the four year degree programme of B.Sc (Forestry) in place of B.Sc. (Agro -Forestry) besides other qualifications.

(2.) Essentially it is to be noticed that the same is a policy decision, which has to emanate from the respective WP(C).No.35171 of 2014 - 2 - Ministry of the Government under which public sector banks are functioning. The 2nd respondent, Institute, has filed a statement, wherein the Ministry of Agriculture has dealt with the definition of "Agriculture and Allied Activities" as per Annexure R2(a), the Annexure of which is extracted hereunder:

(3.) However, it is to be noticed that the Agricultural Ministry has taken a different stand as per Exhibit P10. The Agricultural Ministry as per Annexure R2(a) has recommended that B.Sc. (Forestry) also be included for appointment as Agricultural Field Officers. However, the decision has to emanate from the Ministry concerned, being the Ministry of Finance which is having control of the public sector banks. Exhibit P9 also does not indicate that the 2nd respondent had recommended inclusion of Forestry in the notification. Exhibit P9 is only to the effect that since there is no course called "Agro -Forestry", the same could be deleted. However, the same was retained only taking into account the various Court cases pending, presumably with respect to equation of "Forestry" with "Agriculture".