NIRMAL SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS judgement shall dispose of CWP No.17490 of 1998, and CWP Nos.15626, 17996, 19763, 19149 of 1998, CWP Nos.593, 4144, 5465 of 1999, CWP No.13794 of 2000 and CWP No.14486 of 2001, however, the facts have been extracted from CWP No.17490 of 1998.

(2.) THE petitioners have prayed for quashing the recommendations made by SSS Board, Punjab for appointment to the post of Gram Sewaks vide selection list published on 19.8.1998 (Annexure P-2) and the consequential appointments of respondents No.8 to 415 (selected candidates) who have been issued appointment letters dated 30.9.1998, as the aforesaid selection is wholly arbitrary, illegal and violative of the Articles 14 & 16 of the Constitution of India.

(3.) IN pursuance of the aforementioned advertisement (Annexure P-1), 68000 applicants applied for 415 posts of Gram Sewaks. Keeping in view the large number of applicants, the respondents decided to shortlist the candidates vide public notice dated 20.4.1996 and they also decided to hold a written 'Screening Test' for shortlisting of candidates. On 18.8.1996, a screening test was held. On 27.7.1997, the result was declared. 2411 candidates were declared successful in the screening test vide result Annexure P-3. The interviews were held of the candidates who were successful in the screening test in November, December, 1997 and the final result was declared on 19.9.1998, vide which 415 candidates were selected for the post of Gram Sewaks.