R LALDINGLIANA Vs. STATEOF MIZORAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition has been filed by the petitioner Sri R. Laidingliana who is the seniormost Surveyor in the Forest Department of Government of Mizoram. His prayer is for issue of an appropriate writ directing the respondents to review its decision taken in the D.P.C. meeting held on 29.4.98 and to consider the case of the petitioner for promotion to the post of Forest Ranger against the vacancies reserved for the departmental candidates and to promote the petitioner to the post of Forest Ranger with effect from the date on which his senior colleagues in the cadre of Surveyor have been promoted as Forest Ranger.

(2.) I have heard Mr. George Raju, learned counsel for the writ petitioner and also Mr. N. Sailo, the learned State counsel.

(3.) It is an admitted fact that there were altogether nine vacant posts of Forest Ranger out of which seven posts were to be filled up by direct recruitment and two posts by promotion. The respondent authority advertised the posts for direct recruitment and recommended four candidates for apointment as they were found suitable for such appointment. For the remaining three posts of Forest Ranger which were supposed to be filled up by direct recruitment, for want of suitable candidates, the authority decided to absorb three senior Foresters who had passed Rangers' course to the above three vacant posts. Accordingly, respondent Nos. 5,6 and 7 who were Foresters in the subordinate service were recommended for appointment to the post of Forest Rangers.