S.SIVAGURU Vs STATE OF T.NADU .
Bench: SURINDER SINGH NIJJAR,H.L. GOKHALE
Case number: SLP(C) No.-024492-024494 / 2010
Diary number: 26489 / 2010
Advocates: Vs
VIKAS MEHTA
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REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 4483-4485 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NOS.24492-24494 OF 2010]
S. Sivaguru ...Appellant
VERSUS
State of Tamil Nadu & Ors. ...Respondents
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4486 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.25526 OF 2010]
R. Arulraj ...Appellant
VERSUS
K. Jagannathan & Ors. ...Respondents
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4487 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.25388 OF 2010]
S. Sivaguru ...Appellant
VERSUS
C. Selvaraj & Ors. ...Respondents
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Page 2
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4488 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.25417 OF 2010]
K. Krishnamurthy ...Appellant
VERSUS
Narasimhalu & Ors. ...Respondents
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4489 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.26159 OF 2010]
K.V. Srinivasan ...Appellant
VERSUS
S. Syed Ibrahim & Ors. ...Respondents
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4490 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.25442 OF 2010]
B. Kumar ...Appellant
VERSUS
Venkatramanan & Ors. ...Respondents
2
Page 3
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4491 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.566 OF 2011]
Govt. of Tamil Nadu & Anr. ...Appellants
VERSUS
Narasimhalu & Ors. ...Respondents
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4492 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.4572 OF 2011]
State of Tamil Nadu & Anr. ...Appellants
VERSUS
M. Padmanaban & Ors. ...Respondents
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4493 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.2179 OF 2011]
State of Tamil Nadu & Anr. ...Appellants
VERSUS
S. Sivaguru ...Respondent
3
Page 4
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4494 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.2188 OF 2011]
State of Tamil Nadu & Anr. ...Appellants
VERSUS
C. Selvaraj & Ors. ...Respondents
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4495 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.2183 OF 2011]
Secretary to Govt. Health & Family Welfare & Anr. ...Appellants
VERSUS
Venkatramanan & Ors. ...Respondents
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4496 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.2191 OF 2011]
State of Tamil Nadu & Anr. ...Appellants
VERSUS
O.M. Duraisamy & Ors. ...Respondents
4
Page 5
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4497 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.2196 OF 2011]
State of Tamil Nadu & Anr. ...Appellants
VERSUS
S. Sivaguru . ...Respondent
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4498 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.2194 OF 2011]
State of Tamil Nadu & Anr. ...Appellants
VERSUS
K.Jagannathan & Ors. ...Respondents
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4499 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.3485 OF 2011]
State of Tamil Nadu & Anr. ...Appellants
VERSUS
S.Syed Ibrahim ...Respondent
5
Page 6
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4500 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.15221 OF 2011]
J. Murthy ...Appellant
VERSUS
Government of Tamil Nadu & Ors. ...Respondents
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 4501-4502 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NOS.4710-4711 OF 2012]
K. Selvan & Ors. ...Appellants
VERSUS
State of Tamil Nadu & Ors. ...Respondents
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 4503-4504 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NOS.10939-10940 OF 2012]
T. Rajaraman ...Appellant
VERSUS
6
Page 7
Venkatramanan & Ors. ...Respondents
WITH
CONTEMPT PETITION (C) NO. 133 OF 2012 IN
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4498 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.2194 OF 2011]
K.Jagannathan & Ors. ...Appellants
VERSUS
Mrs. Girija Vaidyanathan & Anr. ...Respondents
WITH
CONTEMPT PETITION (C) NO. 145 OF 2012 IN
CIVIL APPEAL NO.4492 OF 2013 [Arising out of SLP (C) NO.4572 OF 2011]
M. Padmanaban & Anr. ...Appellants
VERSUS
Mrs. Girija Vaidyanathan & Anr. ...Respondents
J U D G M E N T
SURINDER SINGH NIJJAR,J.
1. Leave granted in all the Special Leave Petitions.
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2. These appeals are directed against the common
judgment and final order dated 23rd July, 2010 passed by
the High Court of Judicature at Madras in Writ Petition
Nos. 23893 of 2006, 34401 of 2007, 8339, 12654, 14592,
17578, 25844 and 27982 of 2008 and Writ Appeal
No.312 of 2008 and connected misc. petitions. By this
order, the High Court dismissed the Writ Petition Nos.
23893 of 2006 and 34401 of 2007 and allowed the Writ
Petition No.17578 of 2008 filed by respondents 3 to 5
and also Writ Appeal No.312 of 2008.
3. Since the facts involved in the controversy in all the
appeals are common, we shall make a reference to the
facts as narrated by the High Court. This shall be
supplemented by any additions made by the appellants
in this Court.
4. The facts noticed by the High Court are that initially the
Health Department consisted of Multipurpose Health
Workers and Unipurpose Health Workers who were
engaged in various schemes for eradication of different
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diseases which were widespread throughout India. By an
order dated 29th September, 1982,
Unipurpose Workers were integrated as Multipurpose
Health Workers. On 4th November, 1988, there was a
subsequent integration of employees engaged in the
family welfare. Soon thereafter, statutory rules were
notified under the proviso to Article 309 by the G.O.Ms.
No.1507 dated 16th August, 1989 which were made
applicable to the Multipurpose Health Workers Scheme.
Under the rules, different Class I and Class II posts were
notified and their essential qualifications were
prescribed. The essential qualification for appointment to
the post of Multipurpose Health Assistant was SSLC and
long term Multipurpose Health Worker’s Training Course
Certificate or possession of Sanitary Inspector’s Course
Certificate and short term training course certificate from
multipurpose health workers training. It was further
provided that the candidates will have to acquire the long
time training course within five years from the date of
appointment. The essential qualifications were also
prescribed for all other posts. By an amendment dated
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19th November, 1990 (G.O.No.1984), the pay scales of
Multipurpose Health Assistant were re-fixed. On 13th
August, 1991, the Health and Family Welfare Department
by G.O. No.1123 prescribed the qualifications for
promotions of Multipurpose Health Supervisors as Block
Health Supervisors. Vide G.O.Ms. No.4 dated 4th January,
1993 some of the categories were added in the feeder
posts of Multipurpose Health Supervisor and Multipurpose
Health Workers. These rules were, however, applicable
only to those who joined the service under the Tamil
Nadu Public Health Services.
5. Again the Health and Family Welfare Department,
through G.O. No. 593 dated 11th September, 1995,
categorized Multipurpose Health Supervisors and
Multipurpose Health Assistants as Health Inspectors
Grade I and Grade II. The G.O. further provided that all
Multipurpose Health Assistants were to be promoted as
Multipurpose Health Supervisors provided they had
served on the post for 20 years and had crossed the age
of 50 years. This relaxation was given as a one time
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measure by upgradation of the post. It is pertinent to
mention here that the Multipurpose Health Assistants
promoted under this G.O. included the Unipurpose Health
Workers who had been absorbed pursuant to the
integration in 1982. The aforesaid G.O. No.593 was
challenged by certain aggrieved persons in Writ Petition
Nos. 17550 of 2006 and 25608 of 2006. Prior to this, the
rules were amended on 20th December, 1995 w.e.f. 6th
September, 1989 by G.O. No.782. It was, however, made
clear that the amendment shall not adversely affect
those who were holding the post prior to 16th August,
1989.
6. The inter se dispute between the parties in the present
appeals originated when the fact of successful
eradication of leprosy by the National Leprosy
Eradication Programme (NLEP) led to the integration of
the employees working in the said Scheme into the
Multipurpose Health Workers Scheme. The integration of
the Multipurpose Health Workers Scheme with the
Leprosy Eradication Scheme took place vide G.O. Ms.
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No.320, Health and Family Welfare (G-1) Department
dated 27th June, 1997. The G.O. sets out the rationale for
the integration as follows :-
“The National Leprosy Eradication Programme is in operation in Tamil Nadu from 1955. With the introduction of the Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) comprising these drugs. DAPSONE, RIFAMPCIN and CLOFAZIMINE, incidence of leprosy has been brought down considerably. Tamil Nadu has done a commendable work in the leprosy control Programme over the years. The prevalence of leprosy in Tamil Nadu was 118 per 10,000 in 1983 which has been reduced to 7 per 10,000. The reduction in prevalence rate for the last two years is not very significant. Recently, India hosted an International Meet on Eradication of leprosy and the Prime Minister has set a goal that the leprosy should be eradicated from India by 2000 A.D. The IWHO has also taken similar efforts globally. The eradication of leprosy means bringing down the prevalence rate to 1 per 10,000.”
7. Thus, the Government of India in 1990-91 had suggested
integration of leprosy services. It was felt that in order to
sustain leprosy services at the operational level, its
integration with the public health services will be
desirable. Integration would not result in abolition of
special services. On the contrary, specialized component
will continue to be available within the general health
services at the State and District level for planning and
evaluation, provision of training, technical supervision,
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advice, referral services and research. The purpose of
this integration would be to involve the Leprosy Field
Staff in Public Health Work and Health Inspectors in the
leprosy work, so that the leprosy inspector will cover a
population of 5,000 to 10,000 as against 25,000 which
was being covered at that time by the leprosy inspectors.
The Government of Tamil Nadu had also upon
considering, for quite some time, the question of
integrating the leprosy services with Multipurpose Health
Workers Scheme, under the Primary Health Care
Services, constituted a committee by the G.O.Ms. No.
1705 dated 18th December, 1996 to go into the various
aspects of integration and submit a report. The
recommendations submitted by the aforesaid Committee
were examined by the Government and accepted with
some modifications.
Thus, the G.O. (Ms.) No. 320 dated 27th June, 1997 was
issued integrating Leprosy Control Scheme with
Multipurpose Health Workers Scheme. The G.O. made
elaborate provisions with regard to: (i) the administrative
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control of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme,
which was to be vested with the Director of Public Health
and Preventive Medicine, who was to be responsible for the
implementation of the National Leprosy Eradication
Programme activities in the State. At the District level, the
Deputy Director of Medical Services (Leprosy) would be the
in-charge of the hospital based units and would be the
Programme Officer, assisted by Deputy Director (Health
Services), and (ii) the Salary and other components of the
programme staff. It was further provided that Salary and
other components of the programme staff under the control
of Deputy Director of Medical Services (Leprosy) will be met
from the existing allotment under Demand-18. Paragraph
4(vii) of the aforesaid G.O. was as under:-
“The posts of Health Educator, Non Medical Supervisor and Leprosy Inspectors re-designated as Health Inspector Grade IB are brought under the control of Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine for programme implementation. However, separate seniority shall be maintained for these staff and the promotions of the respective categories will continue in the existing channals (sic).”
8. The other relevant clause would be 5(iv), which is as
under:-
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“Leprosy Inspectors: The Leprosy Inspectors will be redesignated as Health Inspector Grade IB and will be transferred to the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. They will be posted to the Health Sub-Centres covering a population of about 10,000 one for 2 Health Sub-centres or at one for 5,000 population in problem areas. The scale of pay of this category of staff will continue to be in the existing scale of pay of Rs.1200-30-1560-40-2040. However, in order to protect their present emoluments they will be allowed special allowances of Rs. 50/- per month and the existing Health Inspector Grade I under the control of Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine will be re- designated as Health Inspector Grade IA in the Scale of pay Rs.1350-30-1440-1800-50-2200. The Health Inspector Grade IB will attend to and undertake various Public Health activities as per the Job chart for Health Inspector Grade IA in Health Inspectors Grade IA and Grade II will also attend to Leprosy Control Work apart from their existing duties after necessary training. The Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine will issue necessary further orders prescribing revised job chart for the Health Inspector Grade IA, Health Inspector Grade IB and Health Inspector Grade II.”
9. Similarly provision was made for absorption of Ministerial
staff in Clause 6 of the G.O. in the following terms:-
“Ministerial Staff: One of the two sections at the State Head quarters will be transferred to the Office of the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine to look after the service matters of the Leprosy staff other than those coming under Director of Medical and Rural Health Services. Further one Assistant will be transferred from the Office of the Deputy Director (Lep.) to the Deputy Director of Health Services in the Districts. The administrative control of the above staff will vest with the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. The remaining ministerial staff sanctioned for Leprosy Control Programme will be transferred and posted to
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the institutions under the control of Director of Medical and Rural Health Services. The establishment matters of all the ministerial staff including the staff attached to the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine will, however, continue to be with the Director of Medical and Rural Health Services for the purpose of future promotions in the respective categories. The salary and allowances of the ministerial staff attached to the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine will be met from the existing budget allotment under Demand-10 Medical by Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. In respect of other ministerial staff salary and other allowances will be met by Director of Medical and Rural Health Services from the budget allotment under Demand-18 Medical.”
10. By Clause 8, even the transportation vehicles were
transferred as under:-
“The Government direct that the 102 vehicles along with drivers working in the Leprosy Control units shall be transferred to the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.”
11. By Clause 10, all the Government buildings occupied
by the Government Leprosy Control Units were placed
under the control of the Director of Medical and Rural
Health Services along with the equipment and furniture
for expansion of Taluka hospitals, except in places where
the buildings were required for the office of the Deputy
Director of Health Services. Under Clause 11, the Director
of Public Health and Preventive Medicine was also
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directed to take immediate action to impart necessary
training to the leprosy staff in various public health
activities. Similarly, the Public Health staff was directed
to be trained in leprosy control activities. By Clause 13,
it was directed that the integration of the Leprosy Control
Programme with the Director of Public Health and
Preventive Medicine will take effect from 1st July, 1997. It
appears that upon issuance of the G.O., the merger was
completed by 1st August, 1997. It would be apparent
from Clause 5(iv) of the 1997 G.O. that the Leprosy
Inspectors were designated as Health Inspector Grade IB
and transferred to the Directorate of Public Health and
Preventive Medicine. They were to be paid according to
their existing scale of pay of Rs.1200-30-1560-40-2040.
In order to protect their present emoluments, they were
given special allowance of Rs.50/- per month. The
existing Health Inspectors Grade I under the control of
Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine were
designated as Health Inspectors Grade IA. They were in
the pay-scale of Rs.1350-30-1440-1800-50-2200. It is
also apparent that the Health Inspectors Grade IB were to
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undertake various public health activities as per the job
chart for Health Inspector Grade IA. Furthermore, Health
Inspectors Grade IA and Grade II were to attend to
leprosy control work apart from their existing duties after
necessary training. Thereafter, the issue with regard to
the merger of the two categories of Health Inspectors
Grade IA and Grade IB into a single category was to be
examined at the time of the next Pay Commission. But it
appears that the issue was not examined in the official
Committee of 1998. From the above narration, it
becomes clear that there was complete integration of the
Leprosy Control Scheme with the Multipurpose Health
Scheme through the G.O.Ms. 320 dated 27th June, 1997.
Also, the fact that non-possession of Sanitary Inspector
Course by the Leprosy Inspectors was not viewed with
any serious concern is evident from the fact that the
1997 scheme was never challenged by the appellants.
12. Thereafter, the Director of Public Health and
Preventive Medicine in his letters dated 17th February,
2006 and 15th July, 2006 set proposals for
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redesignation of post of Health Inspectors Grade IB as
Health Inspector Grade I considering their length of
service in the department, without imparting any training
to them. He had suggested the aforesaid proposal for
administrative convenience. At the same time, the Public
Health Department Officials Association (Leprosy) had
been requesting the Government repeatedly for re-
designating them as Health Inspector Grade I. By letter
dated 24th January, 2006, the Government requested the
Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine to send
the necessary detailed proposal for imparting in-service
training for a period of one week for all the Health
Inspectors Grade IB so as to re-designate them as Health
Inspectors Grade I. The proposal was also to include
detail of expenditure involved in the proposed training
and where the expenditure to be made out from the
leprosy funds.
13. At this stage, some employees filed a number of writ
petitions challenging the instructions issued in the
Government letter dated 24th January, 2006 in the High
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Court of Madras. In its order dated 20th January, 2007, in
M.P. Nos. 2 and 3 of 2006 in Writ Petition No. 23893 of
2006, the High Court directed that in redesignation made
by the respondents shall be subject to the writ petition.
At the same time, the High Court dismissed Writ Petition
No. 7892 and 7893 of 2006 on 22nd March, 2006 with the
observation that before any order is passed on the
proposal, the State shall consider the objections of the
petitioners therein. It appears that Writ Petition Nos.
6250 and 6251 of 2006 had also been filed at the
Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court in which a stay
order had been granted on 1st August, 2006. The stay
order was, however, vacated on 27th April, 2007. At the
same time, the Tamil Nadu Health Inspectors Association
had also given a representation raising their objection for
redesignation of the Health Inspector Grade IB as Health
Inspector Grade I.
14. Upon examination of the entire issue and taking into
account the necessity for the merger of the Leprosy
Control Scheme with Multipurpose Health Workers
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Scheme, the Government issued a further G.O. on 12th
October, 2007 accepting the proposals of the Director of
Public Health and Preventive Medicine to re-designate
the Health Inspector Grade IB as Health Inspector Grade I
for the purpose of administrative convenience and to
allow the scale of pay of Rs.4500-125-7000. The
aforesaid proposal was accepted through G.O.Ms. No.
382 dated 12th October, 2007. In this G.O., the rule
relating to the possession of the Sanitary Inspectors
Course (or) Multipurpose Health Worker (Male) Training
Course was relaxed in favour of these Health Inspectors
Grade IB to designate them as Health Inspector Grade I,
without affecting the rights of the existing Health
Inspector Grade I working in the Public Health
Department. The conditions of absorptions were
contained in Clause 6 of the aforesaid G.O. which is as
under:-
“The Government has therefore decided to accept the proposals of the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine to re-designate the Health Inspectors Grade-I(B) as Health Inspector Grade-I for the purpose of administrative convenience and to allow the scale of pay of Rs.4500-125-7000. The rule relating to possession of Sanitary Inspector Course (or) Multi Purpose Health Worker (Male) Training Course is relaxed in favour of these Health Inspectors
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Grade-I(B) to designate them as Health Inspector Grade I, without affecting the rights of the existing Health Inspector Grade-I working in Public Health Department. The Government accordingly issue the following orders:
i) The post of Health Inspector Grade-I (B) shall hereafter be designated as Health Inspector Grade-I and the scale of pay of Rs.4500-125-7000 be allowed to them from the date of issue of the order.
(ii) Fixation of pay in the revised scale of pay shall be allowed only from the date of issue of orders under FR 23 at the same stage if there is a stage or next stage if there is no such stage. They are eligible for monetary benefits only from the date of issue of the Government order.
(iii) The above re-designation is subject to the result of Writ Petition No.23893/06 pending in the High Court of Madras and Writ Petition Nos. 6250 & 6251/06 pending before the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court.
(iv) These re-designated Health Inspector Grade-I will be placed in the seniority list of Health Inspector Grade-I below the last person of the Health Inspector Grade-I already working in the Department. As the re-designation as Health Inspector Grade-I is given only from the date of issue of the order in relaxation of rule relating to possession of sanitary inspectors course, these re-designated Health Inspector Grade-I cannot claim seniority now or in future in the post of Health Inspector Grade-I from the date of their absorption in the Public Health Department as per G.O.Ms. No. 320 Health dated:27.6.1997.
(v) The re-designated Health Inspector Grade I cannot claim promotion to the post of Block Health Supervisor, and Technical Personal Assistant till the last person in the existing list of Health Inspector Grade I gets promotion as Block Health Supervisor, and Technical Personal Assistant. However, the existing promotion channel as Non-Medical Supervisor and Health Educator shall be allowed to them till their turn for promotion to the post of Block
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Health Supervisor, Technical Personal Assistant, comes as per their seniority.”
15. At this stage, the respondents, i.e., the employees of
the erstwhile Leprosy Control Scheme challenged the
Clauses No. 4 and 5 of Para 6 of the aforesaid G.O. in
Writ Petition Nos. 17578, 12654, 25844 and 27982 of
2008. Apart from the aforesaid challenge, the G.O.Ms.
No. 382 was also challenged by the present appellant in
Writ Petition No. 34401 of 2007.
16. It would be appropriate to notice here that the
Government of Tamil Nadu issued G.O.(Ms.) No. 73 dated
28 th February, 2008 , whereby the Director of Public
Health and Preventive Medicine was permitted to
implement the orders of the High Court dated 21st
November, 2007, wherein it was decided that only those
Health Inspectors Grade I who had the Sanitary Inspector
Course Certificate were entitled to be considered for
promotion to the next post of Block Health Supervisor.
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17. At the same time, the laboratory assistants, who were
promoted as Health Inspectors Grade I; and the directly
recruited Multipurpose Health Assistants, who were
promoted as Health Inspectors Grade I filed a batch of
writ petitions viz. Writ Petition Nos. 2249, 10807, 17550
and 25608 of 2006 and 8987, 8988 and 9185 of 2007
with a prayer to restrain the department from drawing
the panel for the post of Block Health Supervisor by
including the names of Health Inspectors Grade I, who
did not possess either Sanitary Inspector Course
Certificate or Multipurpose Health Course Certificate. It is
pertinent to note here that the Unipurpose Health
Workers who got absorbed into Multipurpose Health
Scheme in 1988 and were made Health Inspectors Grade
I in 1999 did not possess the aforesaid certificates and
this very fact was the grievance made against the said
Unipurpose Health Workers. The petitioners in the
aforesaid bunch of writ petitions were in possession of
the said certificates. It was their case that since
Unipurpose Health Workers were promoted as Health
Inspectors Grade I as a one time measure after
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completing 20 years of services, they were not entitled to
further promotion on the post of Block Health Supervisor.
Their promotion was, therefore, sought to be challenged
on the twin grounds that : (i) they did not possess the
necessary certificate and (ii) they were already recipients
of the benevolence of the Government in that they had
been given promotion as Health Inspectors Grade I as a
one time measure. A Single Judge of the High Court
allowed the aforesaid Writ Petition on 21st November,
2007 accepting both the grounds raised in the writ
petition. As noticed above, the Government accepted
and implemented the aforesaid order of the learned
Single Judge, through G.O.Ms. No. 73 dated 28th
February, 2008. The aforesaid G.O. now prompted the
Health Inspector Grade I (Erstwhile Unipurpose Health
Workers), who were not in possession of the required
certificate to challenge the same. They filed Writ Petition
No. 8339 and 1459 of 2008 with a prayer for quashing
the aforesaid G.O.Ms. No. 73. The same category also
filed Writ Appeal No. 312 of 2008 challenging the order
dated 21st November, 2007, passed by the Learned
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Single Judge, which had been implemented by the
Government by issuing G.O.Ms. No. 73 of 28th February,
2008. All these matters were taken up for consideration
by the Division Bench of the Madras High Court and
decided vide judgment dated 23rd July, 2010. The
aforesaid judgment has been challenged in the following
Civil Appeals:-
Civil Appeal No.4491of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No.
566 of 2011, Civil Appeal No. 4492 of 2013 arising out
of SLP (C) No. 4572 of 2011, Civil Appeal No.4493 of
2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 2179 of 2011, Civil
Appeal No.4495 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No.
2183 of 2011, Civil Appeal No.4494 of 2013 arising out
of SLP (C) No. 2188 of 2011, Civil Appeal No.4496 of
2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 2191 of 2011, Civil
Appeal No.4498 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No.
2194 of 2011, Civil Appeal No.4497 of 2013 arising out
of SLP (C) No. 2196 of 2011, Civil Appeal No.4499 of
2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 3485 of 2011, Civil
Appeal No.4483 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No.
24492 of 2010, Civil Appeal No.4484 of 2013 arising
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out of SLP (C) No. 24493 of 2010, Civil Appeal
No.4485 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 24494 of
2010, Civil Appeal No.4487 of 2013 arising out of SLP
(C) No. 25388 of 2010 and the connected appeals
being Civil Appeal No.4486 of 2013 arising out of SLP
(C) No. 25226 of 2010, Civil Appeal No.4488 of 2013
arising out of SLP (C) No. 25417 of 2010, Civil Appeal
No.4489 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 26159 of
2010, Civil Appeal No.4490 of 2013 arising out of SLP
(C) No. 25442 of 2010, Civil Appeal No.4500 of 2013
arising out of SLP (C) No. 15221 of 2011, Civil Appeal
No.4501-4502 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 4710-
4711 of 2012 and Civil Appeal No.4503-4504 of 2013
arising out of SLP (C) No. 10939-10940 of 2012.
18. By the impugned judgment, the Division Bench of the
High Court has held that even though Unipurpose Health
Workers had been given a concession of one time
promotion, it would not act as an embargo on their
subsequent promotion. Furthermore, the requirement of
possession of certificate was waived only for absorption
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of Unipurpose Health Workers as Multipurpose Health
Assistants. Thereafter, G.O.Ms. No. 4 dated 4th January,
1993 provided that the requirement of 5 years service as
Basic Health Workers, Vaccinators, Cholera Workers in
the Tamil Nadu Public Health Subordinate Service was
sufficient for promotion to the post of Health Inspector
Grade I. Similarly, 5 year’s service in the post of Health
Inspector Grade I was sufficient for promotion as Block
Health Supervisor. The High Court emphasised that Rule
nowhere contemplates that Health Inspector Grade I,
who did not possess the required certificate could not be
promoted as Block Health Supervisor. The only
requirement of the Rule was that for promotion as Block
Health Supervisor, the candidate shall have 5 year’s
service as Health Inspector Grade I. Consequently, the
judgment of the learned Single Judge was set aside and
G.O.Ms. No. 73 dated 28th February, 2008 was quashed.
It was made clear that those Health Inspector Grade I
who were not in possession of the Sanitary Inspector
Course Certificate or Multipurpose Health Workers
training Course Certificate are eligible for promotion to
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the post of Block Health Supervisor from the date on
which their juniors were promoted with all benefits.
19. The Division Bench thereafter turned its attention to
the main controversy between Health Inspector Grade I,
who had been re-designated as Health Inspector Grade IA
and Leprosy Inspectors, who had been re-designated as
Health Inspectors Grade IB. The High Court has accepted
the claim of the respondents that their absorption as
Health Inspector Grade I had to be given effect to w.e.f.
1st August, 1997. The aforesaid conclusion of the High
Court is based upon the rationale that upon integration,
the nature of duties and responsibilities performed by
Health Inspector Grade IA and Grade IB were one and the
same. The fact that Grade IA was enjoying a higher scale
of pay than the pay-scale of Inspector Grade IB was of no
relevance, for the purpose of equivalence of Posts.
Whilst allowing the claim of the respondents and
accepting that they have been absorbed as Health
Inspector Grade I w.e.f. 1st August, 1997, the High Court,
however, directed that they would be placed at the
2
Page 30
bottom of the seniority of serving Health Inspectors
Grade I as on 1 st August, 1997.
Consequently, the Writ Petitions Nos. 8339, 12654,
14592, 17578, 25844 and 27982 of 2008 and the writ
appeal in W.A.No.312 of 2008 were allowed. However,
Writ Petition Nos. 23893 of 2006 and 34401 of 2007 were
dismissed.
20. We have heard the counsel for the parties at great
length.
21. The first submission of Mr. P.P. Rao, the learned senior
counsel on behalf of the petitioner, is that the executive
instructions cannot supplant statutory rules and for the
redesignation of Health Inspectors Grade IB as Health
Inspectors Grade I an amendment in the relevant
statutory rules was necessary. He relies upon Sant Ram
Sharma Vs. State of Rajasthan & Ors. 1 in support of
this submission. This submission has been reiterated by
all the counsel for the appellants. Mr. S.
Gomathinayagam, relies upon the case of Prafulla 1 (1968) 1 SCR 111
3
Page 31
Kumar Das & Ors. Vs. State of Orissa & Ors. 2 ,
Pradip Chandra Parija & Ors. Vs. Pramod Chandra
Patnaik & Ors. 3 , Uday Pratap Singh & Ors. Vs. State
of Bihar & Ors. 4 and D.N. Sinha & Ors. Vs. State of
Bihar & Ors. [Civil Appeal No. 3671 of 1988].
22. The second contention of Mr. P.P. Rao is that the
academic qualifications prescribed for a post cannot be
relaxed and the length of experience cannot be a
substitute for educational qualifications prescribed
(Relies on: Syed Khalid Rizvi & Ors. Vs. Union of
India & Ors. 5 ; Suraj Prakash Gupta & Ors. Vs. State
of J & K & Ors. 6 ; R.S. Garg Vs. State of U.P. & Ors. 7 ;
Secretary, State of Karnataka & Ors. Vs. Umadevi
(3) & Ors. 8 and State of M.P. & Anr. Vs. Dharam
2 (2003) 11 SCC 614 3 (2002) 1 SCC 1 4 1994 Sup (3) SCC 451 5 (1993) Supp. 3 SCC 575 6 (2000) 7 SCC 561 7 (2006) 6 SCC 430 8 (2006) 4 SCC 1
3
Page 32
Bir 9 ). Thus, it has been pointed out that relaxation given
firstly vide G.O.Ms. No. 593 dated 11th September, 1995;
and then vide G.O. (Ms.) No. 382 dated 12 th October,
2007 with regard to the qualification of Sanitary
Inspector Course or Multipurpose Health Worker (Male) is
in violation of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of
India. It is also pointed out that the relaxation amounts to
treating un-equals as equals. This submission was
reiterated by Mr. S. Gomathinayagam. The learned Addl.
Advocate General placed reliance upon Haryana State
Electricity Board & Anr. Vs. Gulshan Lal & Ors. 10
23. The learned counsel further pointed out that any such
relaxation, even if valid, can only be prospective in
application from the said order. However, the Division
Bench of the High Court has given retrospective effect to
G.O. No. 382 dated 12 th October, 2007. Thus,
the impugned judgment/order has in fact added to the
illegal benefit given to the respondents by the aforesaid
G.O. No.382. They have placed reliance upon the case of
9 (1998) 6 SCC 165 10 (2009) 12 SCC 231
3
Page 33
Nani Sha & Ors. Vs. State of Arunachal Pradesh &
Ors. 11 In addition, it is submitted that the Sanitary
Inspector Course is still available and that it is required
for promotion to the post of Block Heath Supervisor.
24.All the learned counsel have reiterated the submissions
of Mr. P.P. Rao that Court would not enforce negative
equality. In support of this submission they relied upon
Gurdeep Singh Vs. State of J & K & Ors. 12 ;
Secretary, Jaipur Development Authority, Jaipur Vs.
Daulat Mal Jain & Ors. 13 ; Gursharan Singh & Ors.
Vs. New Delhi Municipal Committee & Ors. 14 ; and
Shanti Sports Club & Anr. Vs. Union of India &
Ors. 15
25. Mr. Rao, Mr. Giri, Mr. Ganguly, learned senior counsel;
Mr. Poongkuntran, Ms. Mohanna and
Mr. S. Gomathinayagam, learned counsel, have 11 (2007) 15)SCC 406 12 1995 Supp. (1) SCC 188 13 (1997) 1 SCC 35 14 (1996) 2 SCC 459 15 (2009) 15 SCC 705
3
Page 34
submitted that no merger between the Health Inspector
Grade IB and Health Inspectors Grade I can be
considered to have had taken place. The fact that a clear
distinction was maintained with regard to the said posts
even after 1997 would show the lack of any merger.
Further, it cannot be overlooked that Leprosy Service was
not abolished. Also, the very fact that separate seniority
channel of promotion for the Leprosy Inspectors re-
designated as Health Inspectors Grade IB was
maintained, would show that there was no merger.
Mr. S. Gomathinayagam further points out that the High
Court’s order has resulted in giving double promotion to
the said Leprosy Inspectors on the basis of G.O.Ms. No.
382 dated 12.10.2007. Mr. Ganguly, learned senior
counsel, has relied upon Sanjay Kumar Manjul Vs.
Chairman, UPSC & Ors. 16 Besides, Mr. Giri, learned
senior counsel, has relied upon the case of R.K. Sethi &
Anr. Vs. Oil & Natural Gas Commission & Ors.17 in
support of the submission that there is no valid merger in
the present case.
16 (2006) 8 SCC 42 17 (1997) 10 SCC 616
3
Page 35
26. Premising her contentions on the aforesaid
submissions, Ms. Mohanna, learned counsel, pointed out
that the G.O.(Ms.) No. 320 dated 27 th June, 1997 which
culminated in effectuating the second integration was
never challenged by the Health Inspectors Grade IB,
though they claimed that the duties being performed by
them are similar to Health Inspectors Grade I. This,
according to her, cannot be the ground for equating the
post of Health Inspectors Grade IB with that of Health
Inspectors Grade I. Thus, the judgment of the High Court
is not correct insofar it has equated the aforesaid two
posts. It has also been argued by the learned Addl.
Advocate General that the latter G.O.Ms. No. 382 was a
consequential order based on earlier G.O. No. 320
and, therefore, writ petitioner(s) did not have any locus
standi to challenge the consequential order. Reliance has
been placed upon the case of Laxmi Rattan Cotton
Mills Limited. Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors. 18
18 (2009) 1 SCC 695
3
Page 36
27.Another submission is that the High Court wrongly
confused and intermingled the controversy relating to
promotions of employees involved in the first integration
with that of second integration. In this context, it was
pointed out that the resolution of the issue relating to
promotion under the G.O.Ms. No. 593 dated 11 th
September, 1995 of employees who initially joined after
1989 as the Multipurpose Health Assistants from various
Unipurpose Schemes have no relevance to the
controversy relating to the Leprosy Inspectors re-
designated as Health Inspector Grade IB, since both of
the said posts are borne on separate and distinct cadres.
It was also submitted that while allowing the Writ Appeal
No. 312 of 2008 which was filed by the employees who
were initially working as Unipurpose Inspectors, the High
Court did not go into the merits thereof. Furthermore, the
benefit given to the employees under the said writ
appeal was wrongly extended to the Leprosy Inspectors
re-designated as Health Inspectors Grade IB. Reliance
has been placed by Mr. S.
Gomathinayagam, in this context, upon the cases of T.
3
Page 37
Venkateswarulu Vs. Executive Officer, Tirumala
Tirupathi Devasthanams & Ors. 19 and Ghulam
Rasool Lone Vs. State of Jammu and Kashmir &
Anr. 20
28.Mr. Rao also submitted that the absorbed employees are
not entitled to count previous service in the earlier grade
for the purpose of seniority in the new cadre. Reliance
has been placed upon; K.C. Gupta & Ors. Vs. Lt.
Governor of Delhi & Ors.21; SK. Abdul Rashid &
Ors. Vs. State of Jammu & Kashmir & Ors. 22 ; and
Govind Prasad Vs. R.G. Parsad & Ors. 23
29. In reply, Mr. P.S. Patwalia, learned senior counsel for
the respondents, submits that the integration of Leprosy
Inspectors into the Department of Heath and Preventive
Medicine which took place vide G.O.(Ms.)No. 320
dated 27th June, 1997, was complete in all respects. 19 (2009) 1 SCC 546 20 (2009) 15 SCC 321 21 1994 Supp. (3) SCC 408 22 (2008) 1 SCC 722 23 (1994) 1 SCC 437
3
Page 38
According to him, this becomes clear from the detailed
instructions contained in the said G.O. The same
submissions have been reiterated by Mrs. Nalini
Chidambram, learned senior counsel. Both learned
senior counsel submitted that a policy decision to merge
two or more posts, cadres or services can be made
implemented/enforced through an executive
order/instructions as long as the executive order/or
instructions do not run counter to the Rules. [Reliance for
this submission was placed upon Indian Airlines
Officers’ Assn. Vs. Indian Airlines Ltd. & Ors. 24 and
Vinay Kumar Verma & Ors. Vs. State of Bihar &
Ors. 25 Mr. Jaideep Gupta, learned senior counsel, has
pointed out that the G.O. through which the integration
and merger has been ordered are in the nature of
executive instructions. These instructions have not
supplanted the statutory rules and are within the ratio of
Sant Ram Sharma (supra) and Dhananjay Malik &
Ors. Vs. State of Uttaranchal & Ors. 26
24 (2007) 10 SCC 684 25 (1990) 2 SCC 647 26 (2008) 4 SCC 171
3
Page 39
30. The next submission of Mr. Patwalia, which is
reiterated by the other learned senior counsel for the
respondents, is that since the second integration was
complete in all respects, the Leprosy Inspectors cannot
be discriminated against in consideration of their
eligibility for further promotion to the post of Block
Health Supervisor, on the ground of initial recruitment. In
other words, it has been argued that the “birthmark
disappears after integration into a single class or cadre.”
In this behalf, reliance has been placed upon: B.
Manmad Reddy & Ors. Vs. Chandra Prakash Reddy
& Ors. 27 ; S.L. Sachdev & Anr. Vs. Union of India &
Ors. 28 ; General Manager, South Central Railway,
Secunderabad & Anr. Vs. V.R. Siddhantti & Ors. 29 ;
and State of Mysore Vs. M.H. Krishna Murthy &
Ors. 30
27 (2010) 3 SCC 314 28 (1980) 4 SCC 562 29 (1974) 4 SCC 335 30 (1973) 3 SCC 559
3
Page 40
31. It has been also argued by Mr. Patwalia that it needs
to be appreciated that G.O. No. 382 dated 12th October,
2007 is in the nature of a clarification as it clarifies what
ought to have been done in G.O. No. 320 dated 27th June,
1997. He has emphasised that since the G.O. No.
320 did not re-designate the Leprosy Inspectors as
Health Inspectors Grade I in 1997, the 2007 order ‘sets
the mistake right’ of the State Government. He points out
that the 2007 G.O. itself speaks of the reasons for
rectifying the mistakes committed in the 1997 order.
Thus, the G.O. of 2007 merely reinforces the integration
of 1997. In this respect, Mr. Jaideep Gupta, learned senior
counsel, has gone even further and submitted that even
if it has to be assumed that the merger of the cadres
took place effectively only on the passing of G.O.Ms. No.
382 dated 12th October, 2007, the High Court was correct
in concluding that Leprosy Inspectors re-designated as
Health Inspectors Grade IB would be entitled to the
benefit of their service in the post of Health Inspector
Grade IB since 1997. Relying upon the law laid in K.
Madhavan & Anr. Vs. Union of India & Ors. 31 ; R.S. 31 (1987) 4 SCC 566
4
Page 41
Makashi & Ors. Vs. I.M. Menon & Ors. 32 ; Wing
Commander J. Kumar Vs. Union of India & Ors. 33 and
Sub-Inspector Rooplal & Anr. Vs. Lt. Governor
Through Chief Secretary, Delhi & Ors. 34 ; it has been
contended that where persons from different sources are
merged into one service, their pre-existing total length of
service in the parent department has to be protected.
Their previous service cannot be obliterated upon
integration/merger.
32. Thus, it has been contented that the High Court has
rightly given the benefit to the Leprosy Inspectors
retrospectively from the date of second integration and
correctly placed them at the bottom of the seniority list
of the already existing Health Inspectors Grade I, with
effect from 27th June, 1997.
33. Mr. Patwalia has further submitted that the insistence
for qualification (Sanitary Inspector Course) for entry
32 (1982) 1 SCC 379 33 (1982) 2 SCC 116 34 (2000) 1 SCC 644
4
Page 42
level/feeder post-Health Inspector Grade II for re-
designation of Leprosy Inspectors as Health Inspector
Grade I in 2007 is misplaced since the State Government
has passed a reasoned order to this effect, after
considering the report of the Special Committee
constituted for integration. He further submitted that
the argument of the appellants that since education
qualifications are different, nature of duties are different,
there cannot be any integration, has been specifically
rejected in the Indian Airlines Officers’ Assn. case
(supra). Similarly, the argument that the absorption
must be from the entry level in the new cadre was also
rejected in the aforesaid case. Further, since the Sanitary
Inspector Course has long been discontinued, it would be
an impossible condition to fulfill.
34. We may also notice here that the submission of
Mrs. Nalini Chidambram, learned senior counsel, that
since Rule 5 of Notification III under G.O.Ms. No. 1507
dated 16th August, 1989 does not mention the Sanitary
Inspector Course as a sine quo non for the post of Block
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Page 43
Health Supervisor, the argument of the appellants that
possession of such a course is necessary is unfounded.
She has further submitted that the State Government is
estopped from raising such an objection in this Court
since before the High Court, it was admitted by the State
that Sanitary Inspector Course is not required to get
designated as Health Inspectors Grade I.
35.All the learned counsel for the respondents emphasised
that equity is in the favour of the respondents. It needs
to be appreciated, according to them, that Leprosy
Inspectors have lost the entire service from 1979-1989
till 1997. Also, that the State Government’s stand before
this Court is contradictory to that before the High Court,
which is not permissible in view of the law laid down in
Hari Bansh Lal Vs. Sahodar Prasad Mahto & Ors. 35
36. Besides, Mrs. Nalini Chidambram, learned senior
counsel, has submitted that the Health Inspectors Grade I
who were working as Health Inspectors Grade II before
the second integration never challenged the said 35 (2010) 9 SCC 655
4
Page 44
integration and therefore, they are estopped from
contending that they should be ranked senior to Health
Inspectors Grade IB.
37. Mr. Jaideep Gupta further submitted that the question
of equation of posts does not depend merely on the fact
that both posts were in same or similar pay scales. There
are a number of other factors, namely, nature of duties,
responsibilities, minimum qualification, etc, which have
to be considered as a whole. In support of this
submission, he relied on Union of India & Anr. Vs. P.K.
Roy & Ors. 36
38. We have given considerable thought to the very
elaborate submissions made by the learned senior
counsel and the other counsel for all the parties. The
qualifications prescribed under the aforesaid rules for the
basic post of Health Inspector Grade II, were: (a) SSLC
Pass Certificate; (b) One year long term Multi Purpose
Health Worker (Male) Training Certificate; or (c) Sanitary
Course Certificate with Short Term Multi Purpose Health 36 (1968) 2 SCR 186
4
Page 45
Worker (Male) Training Certificate. The aforesaid
provision contained in the Rules framed under Article 309
of the Constitution of India could not be amended by
executive instructions. We have no hesitation in
accepting the first submission of Mr. Rao that the
executive instructions can not supplant the statutory
rules, in view of the ratio of law laid down in the case of
Sant Ram Sharma (supra). The aforesaid ratio has
been reiterated by this Court on numerous occasions. It
is not necessary to make a reference to any of the
subsequent decisions as it would be a mere repetition of
the accepted ratio, noticed above. We are, however, of
the opinion that the ratio of law laid down in Sant Ram
Sharma’s case (supra) would not be applicable in the
facts and circumstances of this case. The qualification of
having passed the one year long term Multi Purpose
Health Worker (Male) Training Certificate or Sanitary
Course Certificate with short term Multi Purpose Health
Workers (Male) Training Certificate are the statutory
requirements for recruitment and appointment on the
post of Health Inspector Grade II. These qualifications
4
Page 46
would, therefore, be possessed by some of the
incumbents on the promotional post of Health Inspector
Grade II being Multi Purpose Health Supervisor/ Health
Inspector Grade I as well. It is a matter of record that
even in the cadre of Health Inspector Grade II, there were
many incumbents who did not possess these
qualifications. There was a category of employees i.e.,
the direct recruit Health Inspectors Grade II who
possessed the aforesaid qualifications. There was the
other category i.e. Unipurpose Health Workers consisting
of Health Workers, Cholera Workers and Vaccinators, who
had entered the cadre of Health Inspector Grade II
without such qualifications. The requirement for having
the aforesaid qualifications on the post of Health
Inspector Grade II was waived by way of order G.O. Ms.
No. 1936 dated 29th September, 1982.
Thus, it is evident that the possession of the two
aforesaid qualifications was no longer considered a
requirement for appointment on the post of Health
Inspector Grade II. It is also a matter of record that the
possession of the aforesaid qualifications was not
4
Page 47
prescribed for promotion to the post of Multi Purpose
Health Supervisor/Health Inspector Grade I. Notification
III issued under G.O.Ms. No. 1507 dated 16th August,
1989 provides for the following rules applicable to the
post of Multi Purpose Health Supervisor that :-
“ 2. Constitution The post shall constitute a distinct
category in Class –I of the said service.
3. Appointment:- Appointment to the post shall be made by promotion from the post of Multi Purpose Health Assistant under the Multi Purpose Health Workers Scheme.
4. Appointment Authority:-
The appointment authority for the post shall be the Deputy Director of Public Health and Preventive medicine
5. Qualification: Experience for a period of not less then five years in the category of Multi Purpose Health Assistant under the Multi Purpose Health Workers Scheme.
”
39. By virtue of the aforesaid provisions, many Health
Inspectors Grade II had been promoted as Health
Inspectors Grade I, without possessing the aforesaid
qualifications. It is also noteworthy, as admitted by the
State Government, that the Sanitary Inspector Course
4
Page 48
was rescinded much prior to the issuance of the G.O. Ms.
No. 320 dated 27th June, 1997, thus there was no
opportunity for the Leprosy Inspectors to qualify for the
aforesaid Certificate. Yet the aforesaid G.O. provided
that since the Leprosy Inspectors do not possess the
aforesaid qualifications, they shall be designated as
Health Inspector Grade IB on integration with the post of
Multi Purpose Health Supervisor / Health Inspector Grade
I. In view of the aforesaid developments, Leprosy
Inspectors were fully eligible to be re-designated as Multi
Purpose Health Supervisor / Health Inspector Grade I. It
was wholly unnecessary, unjustified and unfair to re-
designate the Multi Purpose Health Supervisors as Health
Inspectors Grade IA and Health Inspectors Grade IB.
40. From the above, it becomes apparent that the G.O.Ms.
No. 320 dated 27th June, 1997 did not have the effect of
amending the rules. It is also clear that the aforesaid
G.O. did not supplant the statutory provisions. It is also
further clear that there was no relaxation of the
qualifications on the post of Multi Purpose Health
4
Page 49
Assistant (Health Inspector Grade II) or on the post of
Multi Purpose Health Supervisor (Health Inspector Grade
I). Therefore, in our opinion, upon integration of Leprosy
Inspectors into the cadre of Multi Purpose Health
Supervisors, the further categorization into Health
Inspector Grade IA and Health Inspector Grade IB was
wholly unjustified. It had no rational nexus with any
object sought to be achieved, and therefore, violated
Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India.
41. We may notice here that under the G.O.Ms. No. 320
dated 27th June, 1997, Clause 7 had provided that the
post of Health Educator, Non-Medical Supervisor and
Leprosy Inspectors (re-designated as Health Inspector
Grade IB) were brought under the control of Director of
Public Health and Preventive Medicine. However,
separate seniority was to be maintained for the aforesaid
staff and the promotions of the respective categories will
continue in the existing channel. Therefore, till the
issuance of G.O.Ms. No. 382 dated 12 th
October, 2007, Leprosy Inspectors continued to be
4
Page 50
promoted on the next higher post of Non-Medical
Supervisor and Health Educator. It is noteworthy that the
aforesaid G.O. Ms. No. 320 was not challenged and
Leprosy Inspectors were being promoted under separate
channels of promotion. Thus, it is evident that till the
issuance of the G.O. Ms. No. 382 of 2007, Health
Inspector Grade IA, who had been promoted from the
post /category of Health Inspector Grade I, had no
grievance with the integration through G.O.Ms. No.
320 dated 27th June, 1997.
42. In view of our above conclusions, we are unable to
accept the third submission of Mr. P.P. Rao and the other
learned counsel that there has been any relaxation with
regard to qualification of Sanitary Inspector Course or
Multi Purpose Health Workers (Male) Training Certificate
in violation of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of
India. As noticed earlier by G.O. Ms. No. 593 dated 11th
September, 1995 did not, in any manner, concern the
Leprosy Inspectors. The aforesaid G.O. was only issued
for implementation of the G.O. Ms. No. 1936, Health and
5
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Family Welfare dated 29 th September, 1982,
with effect from 4th November, 1988 which was
implemented through G.O. Ms. No. 1507 dated 16th
August, 1989. The aforesaid relaxation was given to
remove stagnation to Multi Purpose Health Assistants,
who were not able to get any promotion even after
crossing the age of 50 years or having rendered 20 years
of service. It was specifically noticed in G.O. Ms. No. 593
dated 11th September, 1995 that possession of the Multi
Purpose Health Workers (Male) Training Certificate and
Sanitary Course Certificate with short term Multi Purpose
Health Workers (Male) Training Certificate was not a
precondition for absorption of Basic Health Workers,
Vaccinators, Cholera Workers as Multi Purpose Health
Assistants. Therefore, at the time when G.O. Ms. No. 320
was issued, the aforesaid qualifications were not
acquired. Even if required, the same had been duly
relaxed. Therefore, it would also not be possible to
accept the submission of Mr. Rao that the relaxation
given to the Leprosy Inspectors was either arbitrary or
discriminatory. The State was within its powers to relax
5
Page 52
the aforesaid qualification in exercise of its powers of the
Tamil Nadu State and Subordinate Services Rules, 1955.
Rule 48 of the aforesaid rules provides as under:-
“48. Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules or in the special rules, the Governor shall have power to deal with the case of any person or class of persons serving in a civil capacity under the Government of Tamil Nadu or of any person who has or of any class of persons who have served as aforesaid or any candidate or class of candidates for appointment to a service in such manner as may appear to him to be just and equitable:
Provided that, where any such rule is applicable to the case of any person or class of persons, the case shall not be dealt with in any manner less favourable to him or them than that provided by that rule.”
43. Therefore, the provision contained with regard to any
relaxation given to any of the categories under G.O. Ms.
No. 320 dated 27th June, 1997 and under G.O. Ms. No.
382 dated 12th October, 2007 being traceable to the
power under Rule 48 of the 1955 Rules can not be said to
be without any legal authority or jurisdiction. We,
therefore, reject the aforesaid submission of the counsel
for the petitioners also. We are of the opinion that in fact
injustice had been caused to the Leprosy Inspectors at
5
Page 53
the time when G.O. Ms. No. 320 dated 27th June, 1997
was issued, which has been rectified by issuing G.O. Ms.
No. 382 dated 12th October, 2007. As noticed above,
the qualification of Multi Purpose Health Worker (Male)
Training Certificate, the qualification of Sanitary Course
Certificate with Short term Multi Purpose Health Worker
(Male) Training Certificate were not the required
qualification for appointment as Multi Purpose Health
Supervisors. These were also not the qualifications which
were required for being appointed as a Leprosy
Inspector. However, even though by the 1997
integration through G.O. Ms. No. 320 dated 27th June,
1997, the Leprosy Inspectors were equated with Multi
Purpose Health Supervisors, both categories were not
given the same designation. The Multi Purpose Health
Supervisors were designated as Health Inspector Grade
IA, while Leprosy Inspectors were designated as Health
Inspector Grade IB. The aforesaid categorization of
Leprosy Inspectors as Health Inspector Grade IB was
founded on a fallacy. It was wrongly assumed by the
State that Leprosy Inspectors could not be designated as
5
Page 54
Multi Purpose Health Supervisors as they did not possess
the necessary qualification for the basic post of Health
Assistants, i.e., Health Inspector Grade II. The mere fact
that Leprosy Inspectors were not placed in the feeder
cadre of Health Inspector Grade II makes it evident that
they were not required to possess the qualifications of
the basic posts. They were in fact from the very
inception being equated with the post of Multi Purpose
Health Supervisor (Health Inspector Grade I). It was not a
case of upgradation of the post of Leprosy Inspector to
the post of Multi Purpose Health Supervisor. The two
posts were equated. Leprosy Inspectors were transferred
and brought under the control of Director of Public Health
and Preventive Medicine for programme implementation.
On transfer, they were re-designated as Health Inspector
Grade IB. Inspite of the fact that the aforesaid two
qualifications of one year long term Multi Purpose Health
Workers (Male) Training Certificate and Sanitary Course
Certificate with short term Multi Purpose Health Worker
(Male) Training Certificate were not the essential
qualifications for appointment as Health Inspector Grade
5
Page 55
I, the post of Health Inspector Grade I was unnecessarily
split into Health Inspector Grade IA and Grade IB.
44. Learned counsel for the petitioner had also submitted
that relaxation even if valid can only be prospective in its
application. The aforesaid proposition of law also would
not be applicable in the facts and circumstances of this
case. We are of the opinion that injustice had been
done to the Leprosy Inspectors at the time of the 1997
merger/integration. In spite of a complete merger,
G.O.Ms. No.320 dated 27th June, 1997 still provided in
Paragraph 4 of Clause 7 of the G.O. that the incumbents
of the post of Health Inspector Grade IB, although
brought under the control of Director of Public Health and
Preventive Medicine for programme implementation shall
be placed in a separate seniority list, and the promotions
of the respective categories will continue in the existing
channels. Although Inspectors Grade IB were placed in a
lower pay scale, they were to attend various Public
Health activities as per the job chart for Health Inspector
Grade IA, in addition to Leprosy Control Programme.
5
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Similarly, Health Inspector Grade IA and Grade II were to
attend the Leprosy Control Work apart from their existing
duties after necessary training. It was made clear that
the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine will
issue necessary further orders prescribing revised job
chart for the Health Inspector Grade IA, Health Inspector
Grade IB and Health Inspector Grade II. Therefore, it
seems apparent that there was complete integration of
Leprosy Control Scheme with Multi Purpose Health
Workers Scheme with effect from 1st July, 1997 and the
process of integration was actually completed by 1st
August, 1997. As held in the case of P. K. Roy (supra),
an issue concerning the posts has to be considered from
a broader prospective, and it does not depend merely on
the salary of the employees. Broadly speaking, the
relevant factors could be: (i) the nature and duties of a
post, (ii) the responsibilities and powers exercised by the
officer holding a post; the extent of territorial or other
charge held or responsibilities discharged; (iii) the
minimum qualifications, if any, prescribed for recruitment
to the post; and (iv) the salary of the post. Further, it was
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also held in the aforesaid case that “if the earlier three
criteria mentioned above are fulfilled then the fact that
the salaries of the two posts are different, would not in
any way make the post 'not equivalent’.” Since the post
of Health Inspector Grade IB was for all practical
purposes equal to Health Inspector Grade IA, there was
no legal justification to continue the disparity in the pay
scales of Health Inspector Grade IA and Health Inspector
Grade IB. The High Court, therefore, rightly gave the
benefit of equation of post of Health Inspector Grade –IB
with that that of Health Inspector Grade IA from the date
of their integration, in 1997.
45. Having accepted the complete merger of the cadre of
Health Inspector Grade IB with Health Inspector Grade IA
and all being re-designated as Health Inspector Grade I,
G.O.(Ms.) No. 382 of 2007 failed to achieve the intended
result. It still discriminated against the erstwhile Health
Inspector Grade IB, by robbing them of service from 1997
to 2007. They were given the pay scale of Rs.4500-125-
7000 but from the date of the G.O.(Ms.) No. 382 of 2007
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i.e. 12th October, 2007. Further, they were placed en
bloc at the bottom of the seniority list of Health Inspector
Grade I. This denial of seniority was justified on the
ground that “as the redesignation of Health Inspector
Grade I is given only from the date of the issue of the
order in relaxation of rule relating to possession of
Sanitary Inspector Course, they can not claim0 the
benefit of service since integration on 27th June, 1997.”
The re-designated Health Inspector Grade I were also
denied promotion on the post of Block Health Supervisor
and Technical Personal Assistant till the last person in the
category of Health Inspector Grade I is promoted as Block
Health Supervisor. They were given the alternate route
of promotion as Non-Medical Supervisor and Health
Educator, till their turn comes for promotion, as per their
seniority.
46. Upon merger of the two posts, it was no longer
permissible to treat the re-designated Health Inspector
Grade IA differently from Health Inspector Grade IB.
Since 1997, all incumbents on the posts of Health
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Inspector Grade IA and Health Inspector Grade IB were
performing the same duties. There was intermixing of the
duties performed by the two categories of the Health
Inspector Grade IA and IB. Both the posts had lost their
original identity since 27th June, 1997, and formed one
homogenous cadre. Further, having relaxed the
qualifications on the basis of their length of service and
experience, they were at par with the Health Inspector
Grade IA. Thereafter, the State was not justified in
denying to the erstwhile Health Inspector Grade IB, the
same treatment as was given to Health Inspector Grade
IA. Therefore,0 the respondents could not have been
denied the benefit of service on the post of Health
Inspector Grade I from the date of the initial integration.
It would be appropriate to notice the ratio of law laid
down in the case of Sub-Inspector Rooplal (supra),
wherein it was inter-alia held that the previous service of
the transferred officials who are absorbed in an
equivalent cadre in the transferred post is permitted to
be counted for the purpose of determination of seniority.
It would be appropriate to notice here that Leprosy
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Inspectors re-designated as Health Inspector Grade IB
have not been granted the benefit of seniority in their
cadre from the date of their initial appointment. They
have been deprived of their service on the post of
Leprosy Inspector upto 27th June, 1997 when they were
integrated and re-designated as Health Inspector Grade
IB. However, upon merger w.e.f. 27th June, 1997, there
was no distinction in the services rendered by Health
Inspector Grade IA and Health Inspector Grade IB.
Therefore, in our opinion, the provision in G.O. (MS) No.
382 of 2007 not to grant the Health Inspectors Grade
IB/erstwhile Leprosy Inspectors the benefit of the service
from 1997 for determination of their seniority for
promotion to the post of Block Health Supervisor was
completely unjustified.
47. Thus, the High Court, in our opinion, was completely
justified in quashing Para 6(iv) and (v) of the G.O.(Ms.)
No. 382 of 2007. The High Court has correctly held that
the re-designated Health Inspector Grade I ought to have
been given the same scale of pay as Health Inspector
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Grade IA from the date of the merger. In fact, on that
date itself, the two posts should have been re-designated
as Health Inspector Grade I, enjoying the same scale of
pay, as all incumbents were performing the same duties
and shouldering the same responsibilities. It was not
permissible for the State to treat the re-designated
Health Inspector Grade I differently from the Health
Inspector Grade IA, on the basis of the initial source of
recruitment.
48. The birth mark was obliterated on the merger of the
post of Leprosy Inspector with Health Inspector Grade I.
There was no justification of putting Health Inspector
Grade IB in the pay scale of Rs.1200-2010, whilst Health
Inspector Grade IA was placed in the pay scale of
Rs.1350-2200. At the time of integration, both
categories had to be given the same pay scale i.e.
Rs.1350-2200. In this respect, the principle of law laid
down by this Court, time and again, is that a
classification based on the birth mark that stood
obliterated after integration of officers, coming from
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different sources into a common cadre/category, would
be wholly unjustified and discriminatory. This principle
was relied upon by this Court in the case of B. Manmad
Reddy (supra), wherein this court reiterated the
observations of this Court in Paragraph 5 of Roshan Lal
Tandon Vs. Union of India 37 :
"In our opinion, the constitutional objection taken by the petitioner to this part of the notification is well founded and must be accepted as correct. At the time when the petitioner and direct recruits were appointed to Grade D, there was one class in Grade D formed of direct recruits and the promotees from the grade of artisans. The recruits from both the sources to Grade D were integrated into one class and no discrimination could thereafter be made in favour of recruits from one source as against the recruits from the other source in the matter of promotion to Grade C. To put it differently, once the direct recruits and promotees are absorbed into one cadre, they form one class and they cannot be discriminated for the purpose of further promotion to the higher Grade C."
49. Since G.O. Ms. No. 382 dated 12th October, 2007 was
issued to remove the injustice done to Leprosy Inspectors
at the time when G.O. Ms. No. 320 dated 27th June, 1997
was issued. We are unable to accept the submission of
37 (1968) 1 SCR 185
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Mr. Rao that any unjustified retrospective effect has been
given to the G.O. Ms. No. 382 dated 12th October, 2007.
Consequently, we also do not find any merit in the
submission of Mr. Rao that granting the benefit of service
to Health Inspectors Grade IB on the post of health
Inspector Grade I resulted in enforcement of a negative
equity. Therefore, the judgments relied upon by the
learned counsel would not be applicable in the facts and
circumstances of this case.
50. In view of the detailed reasons given above, we also
do not find any merit in the submission of the learned
counsel for the petitioners that there was not a complete
merger between the post of Leprosy Inspectors and Multi
Purpose Health Supervisor, by G.O. Ms. No. 320 dated
27th June, 1997.
51. We also do not find any substance in the submission of
the Additional Advocate General, that the erstwhile
Leprosy Inspectors have been given double benefit of
promotion as they still continue to enjoy original channel
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of promotion on the post of Non-Medical Supervisor and
Health Educator.
52. The promotion on the aforesaid posts were being
given to the Health Inspectors Grade IB only in view of
the wholly illegal prohibition contained in G.O. Ms. No.
320 of 1997.
53. These observations are fully applicable in the facts
and circumstances of this case.
54. We, therefore, find the submissions of the appellant to
be devoid of any merit. The High Court was justified in
quashing the Paras 6(iv) and (v) of the G.O.Ms. No.382.
The seniority of the respondent has to be fixed in the
cadre of Health Inspector Grade I by giving the benefit of
service from 27th June, 1997. Further, they are eligible to
be promoted on completion of 5 years service on the
post of Health Inspector Grade I, though, they can be
placed at the bottom of the seniority of serving Health
Inspector Grade I as on 1st August, 1997.
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55. We may also mention here about the extent of
interference of this court in matters relating to
integration or fusion of employees. This court held in the
Indian Airlines Officers Association’s case (supra)
that the matter of integration or the fusion of employees,
being one of policy, could not have been challenged by
the employees unless the said decision was arbitrary,
unreasonable or capricious. And as noticed earlier, that
none of the Government Orders vide which integration
was effectuated, suffers from any of the aforesaid
irregularities. The High Court has merely undone the
injustice done to the respondents. We are, therefore, not
inclined to interfere in the well reasoned order of the
Division Bench of the High Court.
56. We have given considerable thought to the law laid in
the judgments cited and relied upon by Mr. Rao, learned
senior counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner.
57. However, none of the principles enunciated by this
Court in the judgments cited by the learned counsel for
the appellants have been infringed by any of the actions
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taken on the basis of G.O.Ms. No. 320 dated 27th June,
1997 and G.O. Ms. No. 382 dated 12 th October, 2007.
In our opinion, the High Court, in fact rightly quashed and
set aside the offending clauses of 6(iv) and 6(v) of G.O.
Ms. No. 382 dated 12th October, 2007.
58. At this stage, we may summarise the conclusions
recorded by us in the following manner:-
.i The integration of Leprosy Inspectors into the
Department of Health and Preventive Medicine by
G.O.Ms. No. 320 dated 27th June, 1997 was complete
in all respects.
.ii The aforesaid G.O. Ms. No. 320 dated 27th June, 1997
did not bring about an amendment in the Statutory
Services Rules contained in G.O. Ms. No. 1507 dated
16th August, 1989. The G.O.Ms. was supplementary
to the aforesaid Rules and did not supplant the same.
.iii There was no relaxation in the educational
qualification for the integration/re-designation of
Leprosy Inspectors as Multi Purpose Health
Supervisors as the post of Leprosy Inspector was
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equated with the post of Multi Purpose Health
Supervisor. The qualifications prescribed for
appointment on the post of Multi Purpose Health
Assistants re-designated as Health Inspector Grade II
were not applicable for the post of Multi Purpose
Health Supervisor.
.iv Since, there was a complete integration of the posts
of Leprosy Inspector and Multi Purpose Health
Supervisor by virtue of G.O.Ms. No. 320 dated 27th
June, 1997; both categories were entitled to the
same treatment. Therefore, Leprosy Inspectors re-
designated as Health Inspector Grade IB were
entitled to the pay-scale of Rs.1350-2000 w.e.f. 1st
August, 1997 and the pay-scale of Rs.4500-7000
w.e.f. the same were given to Health Inspector Grade
IA, with all consequential benefits.
.v Upon integration vide G.O.Ms. No. 320 dated
27th June, 1997, Multi Purpose Health Supervisors and
Leprosy Inspectors were to be re-designated as
Health Inspector Grade I. The birth mark of the
Leprosy Inspector got obliterated with the
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integration. There could be no further distinction in
the cadre of Health Inspector Grade I. There
could be no such division as Health Inspector Grade
IA and Health Inspector Grade IB.
.vi Since Paragraph 6(iv) and 6(v) of G.O.Ms. No. 382
dated 12th October, 2007 was in violation of Articles
14 and 16 of the Constitution of India, they have
been correctly struck down by the High Court.
.vii The denial of seniority to the re-designated Health
Inspectors Grade IB, i.e., erstwhile Leprosy Inspectors
on the post of Health Inspector Grade I w.e.f. 1st
August, 1997 to 12th October, 2007 violated Articles
14 and 16 of the Constitution of India. The Division
Bench of the High Court has correctly concluded that
the integrated Leprosy Inspectors, re-designated as
Health Inspector Grade IB are to be re-designated as
Health Inspector Grade I and to be given seniority as
well as consequential reliefs such as seniority and
further promotions.
.viii The provision contained in Clause 6(v) of G.O.Ms. No.
382 dated 12th October, 2007 denying promotion of
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the re-designated Health Inspector Grade I to the
post of Block Health Supervisor and Technical
Personal Assistant till the last person in the existing
list of Health Inspector Grade I gets promotion as
Block Health Supervisor and Technical Personal
Assistant, has been rightly held by the High Court to
be violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution
of India.
.ix The continuance of the existing promotion channels
as Non-Medical Supervisor and Health Educator to
the re-designated Health Inspector grade I (erstwhile
Leprosy Inspectors) did not amount to bestowing a
double benefit upon this category. Therefore, the
High Court did not enforce negative equality. The
High Court has correctly observed that upon
integration and merger into one cadre, the pre-
existing length of service of the Leprosy Inspectors
re-designated as Health Inspector Grade IB had to be
protected as it can not be obliterated. Therefore, the
Leprosy Inspectors have been correctly placed at the
bottom of the seniority list of the already existing
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Health Inspectors Grade I w.e.f. 27th June, 1997.
Therefore, it can not be said that benefit has been
given to the Leprosy Inspectors /Health Inspector
Grade IB /Health Inspector Grade I with retrospective
effect.
59. In view of the aforesaid conclusions, we find no merit
in any of the following Civil Appeals, i.e., Civil Appeal
No.4491 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 566 of 2011,
Civil Appeal No 4492 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No.
4572 of 2011, Civil Appeal No.4493 of 2013 arising out of
SLP (C) No. 2179 of 2011, Civil Appeal No 4495 of 2013
arising out of SLP (C) No. 2183 of 2011, Civil Appeal
No.4494 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 2188 of 2011,
Civil Appeal No.4496 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No.
2191 of 2011, Civil Appeal No.4498 of 2013 arising out of
SLP (C) No. 2194 of 2011, Civil Appeal No. 4497 of 2013
arising out of SLP (C) No. 2196 of 2011, Civil Appeal No.
4499 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 3485 of 2011,
Civil Appeal No.4483 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No.
24492 of 2010, Civil Appeal No.4484 of 2013 arising out
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of SLP (C) No. 24493 of 2010, Civil Appeal No.4485 of
2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 24494 of 2010, Civil
Appeal No.4487 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 25388
of 2010 and the connected appeals being Civil Appeal
No.4486 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 25226 of
2010, Civil Appeal No.4488 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C)
No. 25417 of 2010, Civil Appeal No.4489 of 2013 arising
out of SLP (C) No. 26159 of 2010, Civil Appeal No.4490 of
2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 25442 of 2010, Civil
Appeal No.4500 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 15221
of 2011, Civil Appeal No.4501-4502 of 2013 arising out
of SLP (C) No. 4710-4711 of 2012 and Civil Appeal
No.4503-4504 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 10939-
10940 of 2012. All of them are hereby dismissed.
60. Further, no need arises for passing a separate order in
the Contempt Petition No. 133 of 2012 in Civil Appeal
No.4498 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 2194 of 2011
and Contempt Petition No. 145 of 2012 in Civil Appeal
No.4492 of 2013 arising out of SLP (C) No. 4572 of 2011,
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as the said Contempt Petitions would be rendered
infructuous by this judgment.
……..….…………………J. [Surinder Singh
Nijjar]
………………………….J. [H.L. Gokhale] New Delhi; May 07, 2013.
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