(1.) THE controversy arises to be determined in the present OAs is, "whether the short listing of the candidates for their further consideration for the post of Director General in the Archaeological Survey of India in revised pay band HAG Rs. 67000 -79000/ - is in order or not". As can be abridged from the pleadings of the parties, documents on record and written submissions brought to fore by the parties the Government of India, Ministry of Culture issued Office Memorandum F. No. 7 -52/2012/ASI/AS dated 20.11.2012 inviting applications for appointment to the post of Director General (ibid) in Archaeological Survey of India, an attached office of the Ministry of Culture on promotion/transfer on deputation/contract basis. The eligibility conditions prescribed for appointment to the post through different modes as mentioned in the Memorandum read as under: - -
(2.) APPLICATIONS , in duplicate, in the prescribed proforma placed below (Annexure -1 and Annexure -II) and complete and up -to -date CR dossiers of the Officers who can be spared in the event of their selection, should reach to undersigned through proper channel within a period of 60 days from the date of this O.M. Applications received after the last date or otherwise found incomplete will not be considered and stand rejected."
(3.) LEARNED Counsel for respondent No. 6 filed his revised written submission on 14.03.2014. In the said submission, he espoused that: - -