GAUTAM KUMAR SARMA Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) It is not for nothing that a general perception is said to prevail, more particularly, amongst the aspirants for job that unless, you are favoured one of the politicians or the power that be, merit and performance do not count in the matter of public employment. This is a unique case of its kind in which a candidate (Respondent No. 6) has been appointed in the particular post with the blessings of the politicians with the sole consideration that the said candidate belongs to the same political party and in the process, the merit has been trampled.

(2.) Shortly stated the facts leading to the filing of the instant writ petition are that pursuant to the Annexure 1 advertisement dated 7.10.2009 for the post of Graduate Arts Teacher in the Govinda Misrashram Tol, amongst others, the Respondent No. 6 and the Petitioner offered their candidature for the said post.

(3.) Pursuant to a selection conducted, the Petitioner was selected for appointment as he secured 28.56 marks out of the total marks of 45 fixed under different heads. A penal of candidates was prepared by the Selection Committee in which the Petitioner secured first position and one Aparna Devi and one Sumi Patowary secured 2nd and 3rd position, they having obtained 27.8 and 27.7 marks respectively. As regards the Respondent No. 6, he was placed down below in the select list and naturally so when he could secure only 17.94 marks. As stated above, marks were awarded under different heads, such as, "Academic marks in HSLC/HS/BA/TDC/B. Ed/MA and finally under the head Interview". As many as 7(seven) members constituted the Selection Board.