ALKA MAHAJAN Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANOTHER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The State Project Director, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan Authority issued an advertisement dated 7.1.2010 inviting applications for recruitment to various posts for the Model and Adarsh Schools in various Districts in the State of Punjab. Amongst such posts advertised, the post of Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) in Science, Maths, English, SS, Punjabi and Hindi were also advertised. In the basic qualifications prescribed in such advertisement it was stipulated that the candidates were to have qualified B.Ed. with 50% marks and BA/BSc. Still further, it was made clear in the advertisement that as regards the detailed qualifications as also the list of other Rules for submitting application, information has been posted on the official website. It has been asserted on behalf of the petitioner that she being fully eligible applied for the post of Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT)-Social Science in the General Category and submitted her application prior to the last date stipulated. Thereafter, she even appeared in the written examination conducted on 24.4.2010 and in the merit determined in pursuance to such written examination, she was placed at Sr.No.21. Thereafter, an advertisement was issued by the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan Authority, Punjab wherein the candidates in order of merit determined in pursuance to the written examination were called for the process of counselling. It is contended that the petitioner appeared for the process of counselling along with the requisite documents but it was at that stage that she had been considered as ineligible for the post of Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT)-Social Science. It is against such factual backdrop that the present writ petition has been filed seeking the issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus, for directing the respondent-authorities to appoint her on the post of Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT)- SS.

(2.) Upon notice having been issued, written statement on behalf of the State Project Director Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan Authority, Punjab has been filed and appended along with such written statement is Annexure R2/1 which is in the nature of the detailed basic and professional qualifications/pay scales/number of posts etc. for each post that had been advertised in pursuance to the advertisement dated 7.1.2010, Annexure P1.

(3.) In terms of Annexure R2/1 at Sr.No.17 pertaining to Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) in Social Studies, it has been clearly stipulated that a candidate was to possess a Bachelor's Degree with 50% marks in any two subjects amongst History/Geography/Economics/Political Science, out of which one must be History/Geography with B.Ed. Accordingly, it is on the strength of such information as uploaded on the website vide Annexure R2/1 which as per counsel appearing for the State Project Director read along with the advertisement that the petitioner has been held as ineligible.