UNION OF INDIA Vs. REGISTRAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (hereinafter called the BSNL) has come up with the above writ petitions, challenging the common order of the Central Administrative Tribunal passed in a batch of applications filed by the contesting respondents herein against the order refusing to grant them pay parity and fixation of seniority.

(2.) Heard Mr.M.Govindaraj, learned counsel for the petitioners, Mrs.Rita Chandrasekar and Mr.V.S.Venkatesh, learned counsel appearing for some of the contesting respondents.

(3.) The Department of Telecommunications was actually bifurcated and the Telecommunication Sector was corporatized as the BSNL with effect from 1.10.2000. When it was the Department of Telecommunications forming part of Ministry of Communications, the Recruitment Rules, issued in exercise of the power conferred by the Proviso to Article 309 of The Constitution, prescribed that for promotion to the post of Upper Division Clerk (UDC), Lower Division Clerks (LDCs) should pass a departmental test. There was a 50% quota for direct recruitment and 50% quota for promotion.