SIMRAN SRA Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This order will dispose of CWP Nos. 7323, 9606, 11371 of 2012, 7090 and 8710 of 2013. As the legal issue involved in the aforesaid bunch of petitions is common the same are being taken up together. In CWP No. 7323, 9606 and 11371 of 2012, the selection impugned was made in pursuance to the advertisement dated 28.12.2010 issued for various posts of SDE (Civil). In CWP No. 7090 of 2013, the advertisement was issued on 23.5.2012. In CWP No. 8710 of 2013, the advertisement was issued on 20.12.2012.

(2.) The primary issue for consideration in this bunch of writ petitions is regarding conversion of CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) award into percentage in the case of candidates, who have qualified their Bachelor of Engineering from Thapar University, Patiala (for short, 'the University'). CWP No. 7323/2012

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner passed his B.Tech Examination from Thapar University, Patiala, in the year 2010. As per the degree issued by the University, he secured CGPA grade of 6.62 on a 10 point scale. The Punjab Public Service Commission, Patiala (for short, 'The Commission') issued advertisement for selection to the posts of Sub-Divisional Engineers (Civil), Sub-Divisional Engineers (Mechanical) and Sub-Divisional Engineers (Electrical). As per the criteria laid down in the advertisement, 70% marks were earmarked for basic academic qualification whereas 30% marks were earmarked for viva-voce. The CGPA grade was to be converted into percentage for the purpose. The Commission applied multiplier of 9. The petitioner was shown to have secured 67.64% after adding 25.94% marks awarded to the petitioner in viva-voce. The action of the Commission in applying multiplier of 9 for converting the CGPA grade obtained by a candidate is illegal as even in terms of the certificate issued by the Thapar University, Patiala, dated 23.11.2010 (Annexure P-2), the formula provided was dividing CGPA grade with maximum possible CGPA and then multiplying the result by 100. If the same is applied, the petitioner would have secured 72.28% marks and figured at Sr. No. 18 in the merit list against 26 posts in General Category.