MERIDALIN KHARLYNGDOH Vs. STATE OF MEGHALAYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This intra-court appeal is directed against the order dated 01.08.2017, as passed in WP(C) No.197 of 2016, whereby the learned Single Judge of this Court has dismissed the writ petition filed by the appellants in their challenge to the decision taken by the Government of Meghalaya, to annul the process of selection for the post of Staff Nurse and to issue the advertisement afresh.

(2.) The relevant background aspects of the matter are as follows: The Director of Health Services (MI), Meghalaya, Shillong, invited applications from the eligible non-bonded candidates for the posts of Staff Nurse by way of an advertisement dated 11.01.2013 that reads as under:

(3.) It appears that about 811 persons applied in response to the advertisement aforesaid but, in the written examination conducted on 10.08.2013 by the Departmental Recruitment Committee, only 15 candidates could secure more than 50% marks. The present 5 appellants had been among the said candidates who were declared successful in the written examination after securing more than 50% marks. However, it appears that before declaration of result of the written examination, a meeting of the Departmental Recruitment Committee was held on 22.08.2013 wherein, the Committee deliberated over the issue of reducing the qualifying marks or giving grace marks to candidates; and the Committee unanimously decided that they would be giving 20 grace marks to all the candidates "as per the Health Minister's advice." In this Meeting, the Committee also took a decision on bifurcation of 50 marks for personal interview. Thereafter, the result of the written examination was declared on 26.08.2013 and then, personal interviews were held wherein, the appellants appeared on 29.08.2013 and 30.08.2013.