BHAGWAT PITAMBER CHOUDHARI Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners who are the employees of respondent No.2-Jalna Gramin Bank working in Scale I. seek to challenge clause 6 of the circular dated 22/04/1996 issued by the respondent No.2 Bank, laying down criteria for promotions to Scale-II from Scale I post and consequently assail the promotions of respondent Nos.3 to 14 made vide circular dated 01/06/1996.

(2.) The petitioners contend that the respondent No.2 had published the seniority list of officers working in the said bank vide office order dated 26/03/1996. According to the petitioners, respondent Nos.3 to 14 are juniors to them, as per the said seniority list. That 9 posts of higher rank i.e. Area Managers. Senior Managers and branch managers for Scale II branches were made available for promotion amongst the officers. The said 9 posts are as under :-1] Area Managers:- 3 2] Senior Managers:- 3 3] Branch Managers :-3 for Scale-II branches as upgraded due to categorisation.

(3.) We have heard the respective counsels for the parties at length. Shri. Pradeep Deshmukh. learned counsel for the petitioners, with all vehemence at his command assailed the impugned circular dated 22/04/1996. The submissions of Shri. Pradeep Deshmukh, learned counsel can be culled out as under.