Saty Parkash & ANR v. State Of Haryana And ORS
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!"#$ , ! "80. The principle of seniority as a parameter of selection for promotion was found to be derived from the belief that competence is related to experience and that it limits the scope of discretion and favouritism. There is always an additional assumption that long serving employees have demonstrated loyalty to the employing organization and so are entitled to reciprocal treatment.
81. However, in India, no government servant can claim promotion as their right because the Constitution does not prescribe criteria for filling seats in promotional posts. The Legislature or the executive may decide the method for filling vacancies to promotional posts based on the nature of employment and the functions that the candidate will be expected to discharge. The courts cannot sit in review to decide whether the policy adopted for promotion is suited to select the `best candidates', unless on the limited ground where it violates the principle of equal opportunity under Article 16 of the Constitution. b. Principle of `Merit cum Seniority' and `Seniority cum Merit' in Service Jurisprudence.
82. This Court in its decision in % & '
( & ) * + ,-./"0 !- held that policies pertaining to promotions can be said to broadly fall within two distinct categories being: (i) promotions which are based on the principle of `Merit cum
Seniority' and, (ii) promotions which are based on the principle of `Seniority cum Merit'. It further held that when it comes to promotions based on principle of `Seniority cum Merit', a senior who has the minimum requisite merit shall be entitled to promotion even though there might be others who are more meritorious. The relevant observations read as under:
"38. The principle of equality is applicable to employment at all stages and in all respects, namely, initial recruitment promotion, retirement, payment of pension and gratuity. With regard to promotion the normal principles are either merit cum seniority or seniority cum merit, Seniority cum merit means that given the minimum necessary merit requisite for efficiency of administration, the senior though the less meritorious shall have priority. This will not violate Articles 14, 16(1)
and 16(2). A rule which provides that given the necessary requisite merit, a member of the backward class shall get priority to ensure adequate representation will not similarly violate Article 14 or Article 16(1) and (2). [...]"
(Emphasis supplied)
83. This Court in 1 1+ + * + ,-."20 !"!, on the criterion of `Seniority cum Merit'
observed that any rule that mandates selection based on the principle of `Seniority cum Merit', such rule mandates that the promotions must be determined through a selection process that evaluates "seniority, subject to the fitness of the candidate, to discharge the duties of the post from among persons eligible for promotion". In consequence, where promotion is based on the `Seniority cum Merit' principle, the candidate cannot claim promotion as a matter of right on the grounds of his seniority alone. Further, if the officer fails to discharge his duties of the higher post, he may be passed over by a junior officer." ))
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1. Whether speaking/ reasoned :
Yes /No
2. Whether reportable :
Yes /No