40 4 3 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB HARY AT II CHANDIGARH 1 1 I e CWP No1023of2011 DateofDecision62011 ParamveerSinghandothers eePetitioners Versus Punjab Public ServiceCommissionc others 2 CWP N0528of2011 r Simar Preet Kaur Petitioner Versus 0 Y PunjabPublic ServiceCommission Respondent 0 3 CWP N0f048of2011 I 0 Gur Jai Pal Singh mePetitioner I Versus PunjabPublic ServiceCossion 8lother Z CWP NoS23of201108cM SukhpalSingh ePetitioner Versus I 4 Public ServiceCommission8 another 1 1 CWP No2435of2011 1 1 4r GursharanSingh Petitioner ClO Versus 17 Z PunjabPublic ServiceCommission8 another 6 CWP No2436 of2011 14arnekSingh another ePetitioners Il Versus Punjab Public ServiceCommission c another Respondents 7 CWP No2507 of2011 ManinderPartapSingh m4etitioner 1100e Versus Punjab Public Service Commissionc another B CWP No2553 of2011 KaramvirSingh Versus PunjabPublic Service Commission c another Respondents rP 1 A 91 1 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document J 1 e 1 v C 1 41 5 11 nl 14a 174 1 Ie l aO 5CWP No 1023 of2011 2m r 1 e 1 CWP No2666 of2011 1 1 Kaur c others ePetitioners 17 i1 Versus Punjab Public ServiceCission 8cothers 10 CWP No2688 of2011 t RailinderKaur ePetitioner t Versus 4 A2 0 PunjabPublic ServiceCommission8nother 0 11 CWP No2735 of2011 0 lk Singh ePetitioner I Versus C5 tt w POnjab Public ServiceCommission8 another Respondents 1 1 12 CWP N0A682 of2011 Z KamaljitSingh c another mPetitioners Versus r Punjab Public ServiceCommission80another I 3 CWP No6522 of2011 0 Singh ePetitioner Z 1 Versus cj PunjabPublic ServiceCommission8 others CORAM HONBLE MRJUSTICE PERMOD KOHLI ma l Presentl Mre PawanKumar Sr Advocatewith Mr Saquib Ali Khan Advocate l0 Mr Jagdeep SinghMr HC Arora Mr S1 Chander ShekharMr GN Malik Mr HarshAggarwal Mr PS KhuranaMr BS Sewak Mr G BajajMs JyotiSarin Mr GurmohanSinghMr HC Arora Advocatesfor the r Mr PuneetGuptaAddl AG Punjab 4ea Ms Anu Pal AAG Punjab 1 PERMOD KOHLI J ORALI Faced with thecommon factualpremises and questions oflaw all thesepetitions are beingdisposedofbythiscommon order In view of the coInmon questions repliesfiled by the Stateof Punjaband PunjabPublic ServiceCommission in CWP No 1023 of2011 40 4 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 42 r 4 CWP No1023of2011 3e 1 havealsobeentreatedas common replies in all thesewrit petitions t 0 The PunjabPublic ServiceCommission hereinaer referredto as the ie no issued an dated 1 26 12009 inviting for fillingup of 143poststhrough Punjab Civil ServicesCombined Examination 2009 Initially143 4 1 0 postswere advertisedhowever bya dated21122009 issued 0 bythe Commission postsof Excise 8e TaxationOfficers were increased lk 0 I from 37 to 74 distributedUl vanous Thusthe total number of C5 seats broughtwithin the purviewof aforementionedexamination cameto 180 Z to PunjabCivil Services Executive 1S r regulated by thestatutoryrulesframedunderprovisoto Article 309 namely I PunjabCivil Services Executive BranctoClasseoRules 1976 Rule 7 Z dealswith the to the service and readsas under 1 Ol rr 7 to the Senlice shall be made zn manner herein amongstaccepted candidateswhosenames havebeen 7 Z dulyenteredin accordance with theseniles in the of Om candidatesto be maintainedundertheserules 13 Rule 8 dealswith the to bemaintainedUnderRule 8 4 as many as five types are to be maintainedRegister Ael A2 A8 and C deal with the to the service from the in service ce candidates from various feeding servlces of the Stateof Punjabwhereas 1 RegisterB deals with the direct recruitment on the basis of main examination Rule 8 readsas under1 8 ThefollowingRegistersof candidatesshall be maintainedbythe to Govt Punjabnamely 49 RegisterB in which shaU be enteredthe name ofpersons accepted as candidates as a result ofthemain examination 94 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 43 2 CWP No 1023of2011 4 1 1 and 33 1 Rule 14 dealswith the inclusionof thequalified candidatesin Rules 13 and 13A Rules 12 and 13 deal with the conduct of the examination and admissionof candidatesto the 4 m examination CL whereasRule 13mAdeals with the main 0 examinationto be held for selection of el 0 candidatesTheserulesare hereunder I C5 41 12 A examination the regulationsofwhich are containedin Appendix II oftheserules shall be held at anyplaceln theStateofPunjabas and whennotiJledbythe Gov Z throughthe Commissionfor thepurpose of selectionof candidatesfor 13 21 Notice oftheda fuedfor the I C examinationshall bepublished in thePunjabGovt Gazette Z 1311 for permission to sit in the 1 examinationwill be calledbythe Commission and 00 shall bemadein the r andprescribed and bysuch a Z documents orpapers as maybe requiredbythe Commissionin thisbehal 29 No person shall beallowedto appearin the Q examination al whohasnot attainedtheageowenty one years or who will haveattainedthe ageoftwenty sevenyearson thelast datejlxedbythe submission C Provided that the upper agelimit may be relaxedbythe Govt fromtime to timee thatin thecase ofa candidatewho belongs to ScheduledCastesor BackwardClasses theupperagelimit shall besuch as mayfromtime to ti befuedbytheGovt in respectofentryinto service under the Stateofpersons to such castes or classes who doesnot possess at least a bachelorsdegreeof a recognizeduniversity in Arts Science or Commerceand lrl whn dnpr nnt hv thPrlnrino dntP fnr wrPint nf e44 1 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 44 P 1 y CWPN01023of2011 5 1 applications to be notifiedbythe Commissionsend a crossedBank Draft 1 drawn in favourof PunjabPublic ServiceCommission ayable at Patiala on account of examinationfeeas ftxedbythe Commission Provided that Govt senlant holding f a a ministerial under thePunjabGovt Courts who has not less continuousservice undertheGovt on thelastdatejlxed by 41 1 0 the Commissionfor submissionof shall beeligible to appear ln the examinationif he possessesat least a Bachelors degreeof a 0 11 0 recognized unersity in Arts Scienceor Commerceand has not attained the ageofthirtyeightyears subject to theconditionthathehasnot availed 45 of three chancesin addion to thosewhich he mighthavealreadyavailed Z ofin any othercapacity Z Note7 Anypersonwho is eligible as Govt servant under this rule and wishes to appear ln the examination shall submit his tr in theprescribed form through theHead of his oBlceto the I to theCommission 13A l9 A main exwnation the of Z which are containedin Appendix III of theserules shall be held at any m placein theStateofPunjab as andwhennotoledbytheGovt through the Commissionfor the purpose of selection by of as many V Z theservice as Govt maydetermine 11 2 Notice of the da flxed for the maln examinationshall bepublished in thePunjabGovt Gazette 4 39 No candidate shall be allowed to sit in the main cmpetitiveexamination unless he has qualifledthe examinationin terms oftheprovisionofrule12 1Ce 41 The total numberof candidatesto be admittedto the t mam examination shall not exceed thirteen times the total numberofvacancies determinedbythe Govt undersubrule 33 The Commission also issued brochure for PunjabState Civil ServiceCombined Examination2009 The brochurecontains entire infonnationin respectto thenumberofvacancies break up theconditions relating to preliminary and main examination 1 4W hs 1 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 45 42 CWP No 1023of2011 e and otherdetails theexaminationcentres etc As per the brochure the examinationconsist of two papers in the following manner 1 U PRELIMINARY PUNJAB STATE C SERVICE COMBINED COMPETITnTE EXAMINATION 1 The 4 1 examinationwill consist of tr two papers of type nultiplechoice questionsand cany a 0 maximumof 450marksin thesubject as under 15 0 PaperI Gneral Studies 150marks I Y 0 I PaperII One subject to be 300 marks Z selectedfrom the Iist ofoptional subject givenbeloWe r Totall 450marks I 6 t0 Those who are qualified111 the Z 1 examination are entitledto applyfor admissionto the main 00 examination 7 Z All the petitionersappliedfor examination in responseto theaforementionedadvertisementPetitionersin thesepetitions belongto Scheduled Castes Backward Classes and Freedom Fighter categories The fact remains that all the petitioners belongto one or the Ceee other reservedcategoryTheywere issuedadmitcardandroll numbersfor 1 in the examinationwhich was held on 19122010 The Commissionissued list of the succes11 candidatesof examination The list comprises of shortlistedcandidatesfor the main examinationcategorywise like generalScheduledCastes Backward Castes etc Even thoughthelist is roll numberwise howevereverylist contains 4e4 1 1 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 46 4 9 CWP No 1023of2011 e 0 categoryWlse cut off markssecuredby the candidatesin the 1 examination The detailsof category wise CUt off marksfor eachcategory are in thefollowing mannerl 1 4 GENERAL CATEGORY O11 TOTAL CANDIDATES1106 CUT OFF MARKS2900017 4 1 ESM PUNJAB CATEGORY 021 rL TOTAL CANDIDATES119 CUT OFF MARKS680456 0 LDESM PUNJAB CATEGORY 31 1 U TOTAL CANDIDATES8 CUT OFF MARKS2030578 C5 FREEDOM FIGHTERS PUNJAB CATEGORY 041 1 TOTAL CANDIDATES14 CUT OFF MARKS050050 SPORTS PERSONS PUNJAB CATEGORY 051 Z TOTAL CVDIDATESC26 CUT OFF MARKS2260510 2 I PHYSICALLY HICAPPED PUNJAB CATEGORY 0610 I TOTAL CANDIDATES66 CUT OFF MARKS2230063 C0 SC OTHERS PUNJAB CATEGORY 071 Z TOTAL CANDIDATES249 CUT OFF MARKS276023 1 c ol SC ESM PUNJAB CATEGORY 081 ct TOTAL CANDIDATES12 CUTT OFF MARKSZ268A56 mw3 Z SC PUNJAB CATEGORY ll 801 TOTAL CANDIDATES CUTT OFF MARKS 1e155 1 BlM SIKH PUNJAB CATEGOR811 TOTAL CANDIDATES236 CUT OFF MARKS2310117 BlM SIKH PUNJAB CATEGR821 TOTAL CANDATES1 CUT OFF MARKS8e591 Ce t BlM SIKH SPORTS PERSON PUNJAB CATEGOR841 TOTAL CANDIDATES2 CUT OFF MARKS230923 BC PUNJAB CATEGOR851 TOTAL CANDIDATES317 CUT OFF MARKS225017 BC ESM PAB CATEGOR861 TOTAL CANDIDATES12 CUT OFF MARKS680456 m Wlll 4 1 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 47 l CWP No1023of2011 8n Petitionerswhobelong to differentreserved have not 1 beenshortlistedfor the main examinationhaving securedmarkslessthan the cut off marks lll their however some of the 4 havesecuredmarksmore thanthelast candidatesin the 1 general category It is also to note that in most of the reserved 1 the shortlistedcandidateshavesecuredmore marksthan the last 0 shortlistedin the general categoryIn View of this factual the Ir 0 have this Court seeking a directionfor shiRingthe I C5 reservedcategorycandidateswho have securedmore marks than the candidatesin general categoryto general categoryon thebasisof Z their highermeritandresultantslotsin reservedlist befllled from reserved candidatesnext in the merit on thebasisof test The prayer madeinsome of the writ petitions is also to redrawthe merit list in C Z accordancewith themandate in case ofIndra SawhneyVse 9 OO UnionofIndia as 1992Supple31SCC 217 andReKeSabharwal Ct 7 andothers Vse StateofPuniab reported as 199521RSJ 8950 Z The stand of the Commissionand the 1S Om identicalItis statedthatas per thePunjab StateCivil Service 4 byCombined Rules 2009 read with Punjab Civil Service 6Executive Branch9 Rules 1976 Rule 1349 thetotalnumberof candidatesto be admittedto the main examinationcannot 1 exceed13 times the total number of vacancies determinedby the Govt under sub rule Rule 13A 49relied upon by the readsas under 1 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 48 b CWP No 1023of2011 9 rr The total numberof candidatesto be admittedto the maln t examinationshallnot exceedthirteentimesthetotalnumberof vacanciesdeterminedbythegovt undersuberule 93 It is contendedthattherels no provisionunder the rules or instructionswhich inter alia requires a reservedcategory e4 1 be treated as generalcategorycandidatefor of purposes as 0 prelude Il to main examination have8lrtherrelied C40 upon the instructionsdated 30121996 which prohibits conversion from C5 one category to another It is statedthat the candidatesare required to be shortlisted up to thirteen 131timesthenumberof vacancies Z ln their own categoryand no candidatecan beshifledfrom one categoryto C another from reserved to generalcategoryfor purposes of 6 0 for maln examination It is also the standof the Z 1 14 Statethatreservation is providedunderthe backwardclasses Reservation m 111Servicesl Act 2006 and thereis no provisionin the said Act whereunder 4 wmo a reservedcategorycandidatewho marks than the general Z secures more 0m category can betreatedas generalcategorycandidateIt is also the standof the thatthecandidateswho applied undera particularcategory are requiredto appear in the malll examination and viva voce test in the same categoryin whichtheyhadapplied C The Stateof Punjab has enactedthe Punjab Scheduled Castes 1 and BackwardClasses eservation in servicesl Act 2006 This Act is applicable to all by a direct recruitment bypromotion or by transfer Section 4 provides thepercentage ofreservationfor eachcategory ee 1 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 49 4 CWP No 1023of2011 e10 andreadsas under 1 4 Perce of Reserv While making PP SYVlC bYanYOfthemethodsprovidedunder anyService Rules reservationshall be madefor themembersoftheScheduledCastes 1 21 The percentageof reservation for fllling up the vacanczes by direct recruitment or bytransferin GroupAl Group r B GroupC cind GroupD services shall be twentve per cent for 0 1 0 centforBackwardClasses I 31 The percentageof reservationfor 8lling up the C9 vacancles bypromotionbyScheduledCastesin Group21 and Group 1 I servicesshall cent Z 4 Thepercentage up thevacancies bypromotionbyScheduledCastesin GroupC and GroupD services shall betwenty per cent 59 Fiftyper cent ofthevacanciesofthe I quotareservedfor 6 t ScheduledCastesin direct recruitmentshall be 0Heredto Balmikisand Z Mazhbi Sikhs if available as a first preferencefrom amongstthe ScheduledCastes OO 6 7 bymeans ofa running Z roster as may beprescribedtill thepercentageof reservation as speciedin anc41are Ll 79 Reservationshall be applicable to vacancies to belled on ad hoc basis short 1 term vacancies work charged establishmentdaily wagesstaffandthestalengaged on contract basis 8 Reservation shall also be to proforma promotionand intmentbytransfer 13 1 Section 7 deals with the of the reserved e vacanciesandreadsas under1 rr ofreserved vacancyl Thereshall be no dee reservation of any reserved vacancyby any authority in any establishmentwhich zs to be fllled up by direct recruitment or by promotion In case a qualifiedor eligibleScheduledCastes or Backward CnSPS rnndidntP ns tho rnsp mnv hp ir nnt nvnilnhl tn 611un surh 4 6r1 1 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document SO P e e4 CWP No 1023 of2011 11 1 vacancyin thatsituationsuch vacancyshallremain unlled 1 2 Notwithstg containedin subsection 11 if in the publiclnterest it lS deemednecessaryto ll up any vacancy referredto in that submsectionthe shall referthe vacancyto theDepartmenfWelfweofScheduled 1 CastesandBackward Classesfor deeservation Uponsuch the of Welfareof ScheduledCastes and Backward Classesmay if it is satisjied 1 Q that it is necessaryor expedient so to do byorderin writingdeereservethe 0 vacan subject to theconditionthatthevacancyso deeserved shall be 1 0 against a unresenledvacancy l I t5 Contentionon behalf of the petitioners is thatthe reservation X policyof theState1Sto be applied in accordancewith the ofthe Z ReservationAct Govt Instructionsissued from time to time and the 1 Q of theHonble ApexCourt In case reported as 1992Supple I SCC 217 titled as Indra Sawhney Vse Union of India the Honble Court observedas underl Z 1 811In this connection it is well to rememberthat the 00 reservations under Article 16 do not operatelike a cornmunal me reservation It may well happenthat some members to sa Z ScheduledCastesgetselectedin theopen on the basisof r their own meritetheywill not be counted againstthe quotareservedfor ScheduledCastes theywill betreatedas open candidates Zl In a ConstitutionBench in case ofReKe SabharwalVse State ofPunjab1995 21SCT 6460 The Honble Supreme C Court has furtherobservedas underl sl When a percentageof reservation is xed in respectof a particularcadreand the roster indicatesthe resenle pointsit has to be taken that thepostsshown at the reserve pointsare to be filledfrom amongst the membersofresenlecategories and the candidates to the generalcategoryare not entitled to be consideredfor the reserve posts On the otherhand the resenle categorycandidatescan compete 4 491 1 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 51 4t CWPN0 1023of2011 2 for thenoneresenle postsand in theevent oftheir to thesaid 1 356poststheir numbercannot be added andtakeninto working out thepercentage Article 149 oftheConstitution of India permitsthe State Government to makeany provisionfor the reservation of or postsinfavourofanybackwardclassof Cltlzen which in theopinionoftheStateis not lTl the Senlices under the State It is incumbenton the State V 0 Governmentto reach a conclusionthat the backwardclasslclassesfor which the reservation is made is not in the State 0 91 C43 Services While doingSO the State Governmentmay take the total 1 of a particularbackward class and its in the 1 5 State Services When the State Government ar doingthe necessary exerClSe makesthe reservation andprovides theextent ofpercentageof 22 poststo be thesaid backwardclassthen thepercentagehas to befollowedstrictly Theprescribed percentagecannot be varied or 1 2 f changed simplybecausesome of the membersofthebackwardclasshave cilready been against thegeneral seats As mentioned above the roster pointwhich is reservedfor a backwardclass hasto be Z lled byway of ofthe memberof thesaid class Qo No generalcategorycamdate can be against a slot in the roster which is the backwardclass Thefactthat considerable m Z numberof membersof a backwardclass have been tl againstgeneral seats in the StateServicesmaybe a the StateGovernmentto review the question reservationfor the said class but so longas the instructionsIRulesprovidingcertain thebackwardclassesare operave the sa have to be followed Despitany number of to the backwardclassesagainstthegeneral categorypoststhe 1 Ce givenpercentagehasto beprovided in adtion 57 Honble Court againconsideredthe questionof ofthe reservationin case ofRitesh ReSah Vse Dre YeLe Yamul 1 Il reported as SCC 253 i followedtheabove iew however this 12 112 1 i r 0A 4977n817 VA449 1 14 6 1 Al4l r0 1 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 52 4i CWP Noe1023of2011 m13e VSe State of Haryanaand others reportedas 2010 51SCC 136 the 1 Honble Court applying the principleof merit of the reserved category candidatesobserved as underl 1 11 It wcis arguedby SO thatif an candidatescoredhighenough marksentitling 1 1 hlm to be selectedln the General 4 categorysuch candidatesoughtto be selectedin the said categy insteadof selecting 0 them in theExesenlicemen BA9 or BB9 categories 31 91 0 I In case of Jitender Kumar Singhand another Vse State of C9 UePeAnd others reported as 2010 31SCC 119 Honble Court was agaln the whetherreservedcategorycandidate Z can be selectedagainstthegeneralcategoryposton more marks thanthelastcandidatein thegeneralcategoryIn para33 of the I L0 Z rt 33 The core the writ petitions 1 lSsue n was with regardto m 1lllingup the General Category postsby candidas belo to the resenledcategorycandidates on their more marks than the last 7 Z candidatein theGeneral 13 Om This questionhasbeenansweredas underl From the aboveit becomesquiteapparentthat therelaxation ln age limit is merelyto enablewith the generalcategorycandate all other thingsbeingequal The Statehas not treatedtherelaxation zn age andfee as relaxationin the selectionbasedon the merit ofthe C candidatein theselectiontest ie Main Written byInterview such relaxationcannot deprive a reservedcategorycandidateof therightto be consideredas a generalcategorycandidateon the basisof merit in thecompetitive exanzon 33 Based upon these leamedcounsel appearing for the petitioners havesubmittedthat reservedcategorycandidatescannot be putto positionEven bysecuring more marksthanthe ee4 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 53 e 4e CWP No 1023of2011 14 generalcategorycandidatestheyhavebeenretainedin reserved category 1 andthusdeprived thereservedcategory candidatesnext in themeritof their 1 rightof in themain examinationIt is arguedthatall basisoftheir own meritare to be treatedas generalcategorycandidatesfor 1 4 tr purposesof allowing the benefitof reservationto other 0 reservedcategorycandidateswho are next in the merit 111the relevant 94 0 I categoryIt is contendedthatthe benefltof reservation1Sto be granted to C9 f the deprived classesof the societywho by virtue of their are unable to play a level game with others however by not treatingthe Z meritoriousreserved categorycandidatesamongstthe generalcategory C candidatesthe benefit of reservation does not percolate to the I reservedcategorycandidates Z Apartfrom above petitioners have also relied upon Go 1 rlo Instructionsdated 1071995 wherein provisionshave been 7 made Z r4 il While the percentageof reservation as Om prescribed ln Govt Instructionsfrom time tO time the oicialslofflcers 1 on senioritpcumneritbasis to reserve categorieswill be thenumberofreserve categoriesworking in theparticularcadre 33 These Govt Instructionshave also been followedby another C1 Govt Instructionsdated30121996 whereby quantum of reservation for BackwardClassesin the State Serviceshas been fixed This notification 81rtherprovidesthat where the regularnumber of ScheduledCastes Ex serviceman candidatesare not availablethe earmarkedvacancies for this categorywould first go to ScheduledCastesand in case no Scheduled 4 5 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 54 CWP No1023of2011 m15m fl Castescandidatesare available thesewill be givento the Exeserviceman r generallcategory of ScheduledCastes beingnot availablethe vacancies 1 would go to Scheduledcastes candidatesat the flrst instance and if ScheduledCastescandidatesare also not availablethenthesevacancieswill 1 64 goto Exerviceman generalcategor9 candidates 0 MrliC Arora one ofthe counsel for thepetitioners Il C0 I has 61rtherarguedthatthevery objectof shiftingthemeritoriousreserved C5 1 categorycandidatesto thegeneralcategorypool1Snot to allow any benefit I to any individualbut to grantbenefitof reservationto a classof thesociety Z who has sufferedand is to be providedequal with the none m 0 reservedcategories 4t I The State on its parthas and opposed the C3 Z contentionof the petitionersMr PuneetGuptaleamedAddl AG and 1 00 Ms Anu Pal AAG Punjabwhile referring to the PunjabCivil Service m Executive Brancl Rules 1976have submittedthat Z examination has beenconductedstrictlyin accordancewith themandateof ll the rules The rules of the reservationpolicyat the 1 stageof examination to the limitedextent According to Mr Guptaevery reserved categorycandidatehas been provided opportunity to competefor main examinationand 13 timescandidatesfrom each reservedcategoryhave been shortlistedand declaredqualifiedfor 9 appeanng111the main examination It is contended that the preliminary examinationper se 1S not a process of selectionbut only a prelude to initiation of selection process The throughthe mode of preliminary examinationis onlya examinationand the strict rules 4 rl 14 5 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 55 1 e e CWP No 1023of2011 16 l of reservationhave no at the stageof qualifying examination The furthercontention of the e2cruomnG lS thatwhile providing benefitto 1 the reserved the conceptof administrative cannotbe sacrificed A balanceis to be maintainedbetweenthereservationand the administrative efficiency which is thehallmarkof every service 1 C the administrative services of a Statewhich is consideredto be a premier 0 serVlCe Referring to the observationsmade ln Indra RlC 1 0 I Sabharwaland M Nagrajs cases it is arguedthat while the C5 11 reservationadministrative efflciency hasalsoto bepreserved It is furthercontendedthata balancehasto be struckbetween Z the claims of the reserved and themaintenanceof efficiency of 2 administration underArticle 335of theConstitutionof India I Reservationto provideequal to the r20 Z and classesemanates fromAnicle 169 of 1 QO theConstitutionof India whereasArticle 335 requires the considerationof Wo the claimsof ScheduledCastes and ScheduledTribes with the Z malntenance of efficiency of administration The constitutionalscheme tl itself requiresproviding to the classesof the 4 societyto enablethem to competewith otherswho are considered to be betterplacedwith 111the societyand at the same time needs administrativeefficiency It is in this context that the principleof C reservation what lS called in legal as the discrimination is to be viewed The purpose andscope of Article 16 has beenconsideredbytheHonble ApexCourt in a number right from the case ofRailwayGM Vse Rangacharireponed as 196212 SCR 586 to Vse Union ofIndia and others reported as 200618 940 5 Radhika 2014.07.01 13: 35 True Scanned Copy Of The Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 56 e CWP No 1023of2011 m17 SCC 212 and even m some by Honble Supreme 1 0 Courtin depthIt hasbeenheld thatArticle 16 is an provision It is in this context that in Indra case supralHonble Courthasobserved as under 1 56 A programme maysacriflce merit but does 1 V4 not in any waysacriflce competence becausethe under Article 16 haveto possess the requisitebasic and eligibility and 0 have to compete I l 0 among themselvesthoughnot with the mainstream candidates 71 I 0 Maintenance of in public is as relevant I and as providing reservationto the classesas Z has been noticedby the Honble Court in Indra case supralwhich is hereunderl I 505 It is necessarytn this connectionto pointout that not Z onlygivingproportionalrepresentationto the backward classes and SCslSTs However it cannot be disputedthat whether it is the 1D ofSCslSTsor other backwardclasses both are to be made 2 with the maintenanceoftheeiciencyin administration Since Z the resenlations under both the articles include also the Ll givingof concesslons ln marks etc it is legitimate to presume that the Constitutiomers beingaware of thelevelofbackwarnessdid S envisage that theinadequcyin therepresentation ofthe backwardclasses cannot be madeup ln one generation with themaintenanceof