AKASH DEEP Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS order shall decide Civil Writ Petition Nos.19459, 19532 of 2011 and 3970 of 2012 as common facts and question of law are involved in these three petitions.

(2.) THE facts are, however, being extracted from Civil Writ Petition No.19459 of 2011.

(3.) BRIEF facts that would require notice are that the Board, respondent No.2 issued an advertisement dated 27.7.2011 inviting applications 'online' for recruitment to 530 posts of Clerks in the Punjab Civil Secretariat, different Departments of the State Government and in the offices of Divisional Commissioners/ Deputy Commissioners in the State. The last date for 'online' submission of applications was stipulated as 24.8.2011. In the advertisement itself, it was recited that the terms and conditions with regard to the posts, procedure of applying, other instructions as also procedure of remitting the fee and other important information would be available on the website, from 30.7.2011 onwards. Such terms and conditions down-loaded from the Website stand appended along with the writ petition as Annexure P2. In terms of subsequent public notices dated 12.9.2011, 16.9.2011 and 20.9.2011, 530 posts initially advertised were increased to 855. It has been pleaded that the petitioners who were otherwise eligible in terms of possessing the requisite essential qualifications had submitted their applications 'online' within the stipulated time-frame and had, accordingly, been permitted to participate in a written test held on 1.10.2011. The result of the same was displayed on the website on 8.10.2011 and as per the merit so determined in relation to the written test, the petitioners are stated to have secured a high merit position. It is after the declaration of the result of the written test on 8.10.2011 that the impugned public notice dated 13.10.2011 had been published calling upon the candidates as also the petitioners herein to appear in a Punjabi type test to be held as per the schedule mentioned in the public notice.