(1.) The petitioner herein joined the service of the S.V. Medical College, Tirupati, Chittoor District, as Typist in the year 1987. The promotion from that post is to the post of Senior Assistant in the office of Regional Joint Director, Medical and Health, Kadapa. While the Medical College is the unit of appointment for the post of Junior Assistant, the post of Senior Assistant is zonal in nature. Through proceedings dated 04.01.1996, the Regional Joint Director promoted the petitioner to the post of Senior Assistant and posted him in the Primary Health Centre in D Harihal, Anantapur District. Citing reasons of health, the petitioner sought for reversion from that post. His request was acceded to and he was reverted through proceedings dated 31.05.1996; and was posted in the original place of appointment i.e., S.V. Medical College.
(2.) The 4th respondent was initially appointed as Watchman on 23.11.1992 in the S.V. Medical College. Thereafter he was promoted as Record Assistant on 10.10.2002 and as Junior Assistant on 17.04.2008. The petitioner as well as the 4th respondent acquired the qualification of B.L.Sc. through distant mode. In addition to that, the petitioner has acquired the qualification of M.L.Sc. in the year 1997.
(3.) The post of Assistant Librarian in the S.V. Medical College, the 3rd respondent herein became vacant. In service candidates with B.L.Sc., qualification are eligible to be considered for that post. When the petitioner as well as the 4th respondent laid claims for that post, the 3rd respondent entertained some doubt about the eligibility of the petitioner for that post. The basis was that, at one point of time, petitioner was promoted to the post of Senior Assistant and then reverted at his request. Therefore, he addressed a letter to the Secretary, Medical and Health Department i.e., 1st respondent, soliciting opinion. The 1st respondent issued a memo dated 26.12.2011 taking the view that the petitioner is not entitled to be considered for the post of Assistant Librarian on account of the fact that he relinquished his promotion on an earlier occasion. It was pointed out that after relinquishment, he became the junior most Typist in the Medical College.