(1.) The petitioners are working as Cane Assistants in various Co-operative Sugar Mills. They have come forward to file the present writ petition seeking to challenge the order of the second respondent, Commissioner of Sugars dated 02.04.2007 and for a consequential direction to promote/appoint the petitioners as Cane Officers by relaxing the rules from among the Cane Assistants, who have acquired B.Sc., Agriculture Degree in existing vacancies.
(2.) In the impugned order, the petitioners were informed that in various Co-operative Sugar Mills, post of Cane Officer is filled up by direct recruitment and there is no provision in the bye-laws to have the Cane Assistants promoted as Cane Officers.
(3.) The factual basis viz., the lack of bye-laws regarding the promotional aspects of Cane Assistants to the post of Cane Officers is not in dispute. However, Mr.U.Karunakaran, learned counsel for the petitioners submits that they were asked to undergo graduation course in Agriculture only with a fond hope to the promotional post of Cane Officers and there are Government Circulars asking such Cane Assistants to acquire additional qualifications in order to fill up higher posts in the Sugar Mills. It is admitted that several other persons, who have acquired such qualifications were considered for the higher posts by giving necessary relaxation and in the light of the same, the present writ petition is filed.