IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA. CWP (T) No.14158 of 2008. Decided on: 18.11.2009. Manmohan Singh and others. …Petitioners. Versus State of H.P. and others. ….Respondents. Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice R.B. Misra, Acting Chief Justice. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Rajiv Sharma, Judge. Whether approved for reporting? No. For the Petitioner : Mr. Tarlok Chauhan, Advocate. For Respondents: Mr. R.K. Sharma, Senior Addl. Advocate General, for respondents No.1 to 4. Mr. Naresh Kaul, Advocate, for respondents 5 to 40. The process for filling up the post of Pump Operators was initiated by the State Government. 756 candidates appeared for interview. A detailed procedure has been prescribed in the Recruitment and Promotion Rules, the manner in which the marks are to be allotted. The case of the petitioner in nutshell is that the respondents should have filled 50% posts on batch-wise basis. Mr. Sharma, learned Senior Additional Advocate General has argued that the recruitment to the post of Pump Operators on contract basis was made strictly as per the Recruitment and Promotion Rules framed under Article 309 of the Constitution of India. _________________________________________________________ Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? -2- We have heard the learned counsel for the parties and gone through the pleadings carefully. The appointment to the post of Pump Operators is regulated under the Himachal Pradesh, Department of Irrigation and Public Health, Pump Operator Class-III (Non- Gazetted) Recruitment and Promotion rules, 2006. 50% posts as per Col. No.10 of these Rules are to be filled up by way of direct recruitment or on contract basis and 50% on promotion. There is no provision in the Recruitment and Promotion Rules for appointment on batch-wise basis. Once the Rules have been framed by the State Government under Article 309 of the Constitution of India, the same have to be scrupulously followed. In view of the specific Recruitment and Promotion Rules, policy decision cannot dilute the same. Mr. Sharma submits that the appointments have already been made on contract basis in the year 2006. The petitioners have not substantiated in any manner how they were aggrieved by holding the interview of 756 candidates during five days. Moreover, there is a set procedure as per the Recruitment and Promotion Rules, the manner in which the marks are to be awarded by the Selection Committee. Accordingly, there is no merit in the writ petition and the same is dismissed. (R.B. Misra), ACJ. 18th November, 2009. (Rajiv Sharma), J. (tr)