UNION OF INDIA Vs. MANAS RANJAN PANIGRAHI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioners-Union of India through the General Manager, South Eastern Railway (Kolkata) [hereinafter to be referred as 'the SER'] being aggrieved of the order dated 25th August 2014, passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Patna Bench, Patna (Circuit Bench at Ranchi) [for short 'CAT, Ranchi'] has filed the instant petition, which is at the admission stage, but with the consent of learned counsel for both the sides, we have taken it on board for its final consideration.

(2.) Senior Divisional Personnel Officer, Chakradharpur Division vide its notification dated 26th June, 2011, invited the applications for filling up vacancies of JE (Electrical) against 25% Intermediate Apprentice Quota of Elec. (G), Department of Chakradharpur Division. These promotions were to be made within Group-C only from Technical Grade- I, II, III & IV for different categories. Circular No. Estt. Srl. No. 145/2003 dated 7th October, 2003 (for short 'Circular of 2003) was followed for the purposes of preparation of the panel on the basis of the marks obtained in which all the four respondents (hereinafter to be referred as applicants) were declared qualified and sent for 52 weeks training. When they were undergoing training course, vide order dated 20th March, 2012, they were released from training and were directed to report at their headquarters, reason for the same was that the ADRM, after getting approval of DRM, had cancelled the order of their empanelment dated 19th March, 2012, on the ground that because of certain procedural lapses, aforesaid circular of 2003 was adhered to, whereas in fact Circular No. Estt. Srl. No. 60/2006 dated 18th April, 2006 (for short 'Circular of 2006') was to be followed for empanelment so far as marking is concerned. This gave the cause to the applicants to knock at the door of the CAT, Ranchi by filing OA 84/2012(R), which now stands allowed and that the order dated 19th March, 2012 cancelling the selection of applicants stands quashed.

(3.) We have heard learned counsel for both the sides and gone through the impugned order.