RANGANATHAN K. D. Vs. COCHIN PORT TRUST

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner joined the service of the Cochin Port Trust as Mazdoor on 7th April 1.970. He was later promoted and confirmed as Fitter Assistant on 1st April 1984. He was promoted to the next post of Fitter II Class and was confirmed on 1st January 1985. He got a later promotion as Head Fitter on 20th October 1988. According to the petitioner, he is the senior most in the category of Head Fitters.

(2.) The third respondent who is a member of the Scheduled Tribe, was appointed on 18th February 1980 as Fitter Assistant and was confirmed on 1st January 1985. On 21st November 1991 he was promoted as Head Fitter.

(3.) The next promotion of a Head Fitter is as Chargeman II Fitter. There is only one sanctioned post of Chargeman II Fitter in the Cochin Port Trust. The 40 point Roster is being followed in the Cochin Port Trust for appointment and promotion. According to the above Roster, 1.5 per cent seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste and 7.5 per cent for the Scheduled Tribes. After coming into force of the above Roster and till 1991 there arose five vacancies of Chargeman II Fitter. Two vacancies were filled up by Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates and three vacancies were filled up by general candidates. Now due to retirement of one V.A. Joseph, a general candidate a vacancy of Chargeman II Fitter has arisen. According to the petitioner, the first respondent is taking steps to fill up the above post by appointing the third respondent, who is much junior to him. The petitioner is fully qualified to be appointed to the above post.