P 59 a IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB c HARYANA AT 4 CHANDIGARH P 1 1 1 4 CWP No 1023of2011 DateofDecisionl 362Oll ParamveerSinghand others Petitioners Versus 1 Punjab Public ServiceCommissionc others 2 CWP N0528 of2011 r 1 SimarPreetKaur Petitioner Versus 1 0 Punjab Public ServiceCommission Respondent 0 3 CWP No648 of2011 I r 0 Gur Jai Pal Singh eaPetitioner I Versus 1 Punjab Public ServiceCommission nother Z 1 CWP No23 of20116041 e CC Sukhpal Singh Petitioner 1 Versus 1 b CJ PunjabPublic ServiceCommissiot another 1 1 Z 1 CWP No435 of2011 e c Gursharan Singh 4etitioner C0 Versus w Z PunjabPublic ServiceCommission another 6 CWP No2436 of2011 Qm iarnek Singh8canother ePetitioners 1 Versus PunjabPublic Service Commission another 7 CWP No2507 of2011 Maninder PartapSingh ePetitioner 9001n t Versus Punjab Public ServiceCommission 8 another B CWP No2553 of2011 Karamvir Singh ePetitioner 1 Versus PunjabPublic ServiceCommission c another espondents r j0 1 nl 41 4W 4 Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 1 1e r r 1 60 r4 1 eI Il 1 1 1 CWP No 1023of2011 2 5V r1 1 9 CWP No2666 of2011 1 1 Kaur c others Petitioners n1 1 1 1 Versus Punjab Public ServiceCossion 8 others 10 CWP No688 of2011 1 4 RavinderKaur Petitioner t Versus 4 1m 0 Punjab Public ServiceCossion 8 another 11 CWP No2735 of2011 0 t0 0 Singh Petitioner Versus t5 r Ponjab Public ServiceCission c another 1 12 CWP NoA682 of2011 Z KamaljitSingh8Lanother ePetitioners 1 2 Versus Punjab Public ServiceCommissioncnother I I3 CWP No6522 of2011 Q Singh Petitioner 1 Versus c PunjabPublic ServiceCission c others ORAMe HONBLE MRJUSTICE PERMOD KOHLI 1 Z Present Mr PawanKumar Sr Advocatewith Mr Saquib Ali Khan Advocate Q Mr Jagdeep SinghMr HC Arora Mr S Chander ShekharMr GN Malik Mr HarshAggarwalMr PS KhuranaMr BS Sewak Mr GL BajajMs JyotiSarin Mr GunnohanSinghMr HC Arora Advocatesfor the 14 petitioners Mr PuneetGuptaAddl AG Punjab eee Ms Anu Pal AAG Punjab 1 848 PERMOD KOHLI J l Facedwith the common factualpremises and questions of law 1 all thesepetitions are being ofbythis common order In view of the common questions repliesfiled bythe Stateof PunjabandPunjabPublic ServiceCommissionin CWP I 10230f2011 1 9 94 4 Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 61 P 1 e 1 CWP No 1023of2011 3 11 1 havealsobeentreatedas common replies in all thesewrit petitions 1 The PunjabPublic Service Commission refenedto as the Commission 1ee nol issued an advertisementdated 1 1 2612009 inviting for fillingup of 143poststhrough Punjab Civil Services Combined Examination 2009 Initially143 4 m Ct postswere advertisedhoweverbya dated21122009 issued 0 by the Commission postsof Excise c TaxationOfllcers were increased r C0 from 37 to 74 distributedin varlous Thus thetotal numberof Z C5 r seats broughtwithin the purviewof aforementionedexaminatlon came to I 180 Z to PunjabCivil Services Executive Branch 1S 1 bythestatutoryrules amed underprovisoto Article 309 namely PunjabCivil Services Executive BranchI Rules 1976 Rule7 6 1 Z dealswith the to theserviceand readsas underl l 10 rr 7 to the Service shall be madeln manner Ct herein amongstaccepted candidateswhose nanws havebeen 3 Z dulyenteredin accordancewith theserules in the of candidatesto bemaintainedundertheserules 33 Rule 8 dealswiththe to bemaintainedUnder Rule 8 t as manyas five types are to be maintainedRegister Ael Ae2 Ae3 and C deal with the to the servicefrom the in service candidatesfrom various feeding servlces of the State of Punjabwhereas 1 RegisterB deals with the direct recruitment on the basis of main examinationRule 8 readsas underl 1 e ThefollowingRegistersof accepted candidates shall be maintainedbythe to Govt Punjabnamelyl 41 RegisterB in which shall be enteredthe name ofpersons accepted as candites as a result ofthemain examination ee Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 62 P 1 4 CWP No1023of2011 4 and 3Y 1 Rule 14 dealswith the inclusionof thequaliedcandidates 111 1 Rules 13 and 13A Rules 12 and 13 deal with the conduct of 1 1 the examinationand admissionof candidatesto the P11112rY examination r whereasRule 13eAdeals with the main 0 examinationto beheld for selection of 9 C0 candidatesTheserules are hereunder 1 I t5 Il 121 A r examination the I regulations of which are contained in Appendix II of 1 theserules shall be held at anyplacein theStateofPunjab and whennotifledby Z as theGo throughthe Commissionfor thepurpose of selectionof candidatesfor 1 13 1 I Notice ofthe date xedfor the t examlnationshall bepublished in thePunjabGovt Gazette Z 13 for permlssion to sit in the examinationwill becalledbytheCommissionand rlo 7 Z 21 No person shall beallowedto appearin the Qe competitive examination 1 a whohasnot attainedtheage oftwentyone years or who will haveattainedtheageoftwenty sevenyearson the last datefuedbythe submission C Providedthattheupperage limit may be relaxedbytheGovt om time to time 1 thatin thecase ofa candidatewhobelongs to ScheduledCastesor BackwardClassestheupperagelimit shallbe such as mayfromtime to time beflxedbytheGovt in respectofentryinto servlce 1 undertheStateofpersons to suchcastes or classes b9 who doesnot possess at least a bachelorsdegreeof a recognized university in Arts Scienceor Commerceand 1r1 whn dnPs Hnt hv thp rlnsino dnto fnr rorpint nf e 5 Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 63 C 1 4 CWP No1023of2011 5 4f applications to be notijledbythe Commissionsenda crossedBank Draft re drawn in favourof PunjabPublic ServiceCommissionpayable i at Patiala on account of nonlmdable examinationfeeasfixedbythe Commission Provided that a Govt senlant holdinga ministerial 1 tl under the PunjabGovt including Courts who has not less thanfouryears continuousserviceundertheGovt on thelast dateflxedby t4 r the submission shall be eligible to appear ln the examinationif he possesses at least a Bachelors degreeof 0 a li 0 recognizedunersityin Arts Science or Commerceand has not attained I the ageofthirtyeightyears subject to theconditionthathehasnot availed 0 r f three chancesin additionto thosewhich he mighthave alreadyavailed I ofin any other capacity 1 Z Note Anypersonwho is eligible as Govt servant under 1 this rule and wishes to appear lTl the examination shall submit his in theprescribedform through the Head of his 08iceto the I to the Commission 6 t3 13A 19 A main examination theregulaonsof Z 1 which are contained in AppendixIII of theserules shall be held at any ClO placein theStateofPunjab as and whennotOled bythe Govt through the Commissionfor the pwpose of 1 selction by of as many neo Z candidasforthe serviceas Govt may detee tl 21 Notice of the date fued for the main examlation shallbepublished in thePunjabGovt Gazette 3 No candidate shall be allowed to sit in the main examimMion unless he has qualifledthe exaTnimuionin termsoftheprovisionofrule 12 eav 41 The total numberof candidatesto be admitted to the 1 maln examination shall not exceed thirteentimes the total numberofvacancies determinedbytheGovt undersubrule 31 The Commissionalso issued brochurefor PunjabStateCivil Service Combined Examination 2009 The brochurecontains entire infonnationin respectto thenumberofvacancies break 1 1 up the conditionsrelating to andmain examination Sard 1 Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document P 64 4 0 4 e CWP No 1023of2011 e f and otherdetails theexaminationcentres etc As per thebrochure t the examinationconsist of two papers in the 1 following mannerl 1 d 44 PRELIM1NARY PUNJAB STATE CIVIL SERVICE COMBINED COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION 44 m 1 The examinationwill consistof 1 two papersof type multiplechoice and cany a 0 maximumof 450marksin thesubject as undeo Ilt 0 PaperI GeneralStudies 150 marks I r C9 PaperII Onesubject to be 300 marks Z selectedfrom thelist ofoptionalsubject givenbelow C 1 Totall 450marks I 6 C3 Those who are quali6ed111 the Z 11 examination are entitledto applyfor admissionto the main m examination wao Z All the petitionersappliedfor examination in m responseto the advertisementPetitionersin thesepetitions belongto ScheduledCastes Backward Classes and Freedom Fighter categories The fact remains that all the petitioners belongto one or the IC1 other reservedcategoryTheywere issuedadmitcard and roll numbersfor 1 in the examinationwhich was held on 19122010 The Commissionissued list of the success811candidatesof examination The list comprises of shortlistedcandidatesfor the main examinationcategorywise like generalScheduledCastes Backward Castes 1 etc Even though the list is roll numberwise howeverevery list contains 6 9 6 e Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 65 r Ili 4 t CWP No 1023 of2011 7 1 categorywlse cut off markssecured bythe candidates111the 1 examination The detailsof categorywise cut off marksfor eachcategory are in thefollowing mannerl I ll GENERAL CATEGORY 011 TOTAL CANDIDATES1106 CUT OFF MARKS2900017 d 1 ESM PUNJAB CATEGORY O21 TOTAL CTDIDATES119 CUT OFF MARKS680456 0 LDESM PUNJAB CATEGORY 3I 1 0 TOTAL CANDIDATES8 CUT OFF MARKSZ203578 I FREEDOM FIGHTERS PUNJAB CATEGORY 41 r t5 TOTAL CANDIDATES14 CUT OFF MARKS3050050 I SPORTS PERSONS PUNJAB CATEGORY 051 Z TOTAL C1UIDATES26 CUT OFF MARKS226510 PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PUNJAB CATEGORY 061 I TOTAL CANDIDATES6 CUT OFF MARKS223063 SC OTHERS PUNJAB CATEGORY 71 Z TOTAL CANDIDATES249 CUT OFF MARKS2760023 1 ClO SC ESM PUNJAB CATEGORY O81 TOTAL CANDIDATES2 CUTT OFF MARKS68A56 7 Z SC PUNJAB CATEGORY 801 TOTAL CANDIDATES CUTT OFF MARKS2110155 BlM SIKH PU1VJAB CATEGOR811 TOTAL CANDIDATES236 CUT OFF MARKS2310117 BlM SIKH PUNJAB CATEGOR821 TOTAL CANDIDATESl CUT OFF MARKS880591 C 1 BlM SIKH SPORTS PERSON PUNJAB CATEGOR841 TOTAL CVDIDATES2 CUT OFF MARKS230923 BC PUNJAB CATEGOR851 TOTAL CANDIDATES317 CUT OFF MARKS225017 1 BC ESM PUNJAB CATEGOR861 TOTAL CANDIDATES12 CUT OFF MARKS680456 44 T Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 66 1 4 CWP No 1023 of2011 m8m f Petitioners who belong to differentreserved havenot 1 beenshortlistedfor the main examinationhavingsecuredmarksless than 1 the cut off marks 111their however some of the 1 r havesecuredmarks more thanthelastqualified candidatesin the general category It is also to note thatin most of the reserved 4 W theshortlistedcandidateshavesecuredmore marksthanthelast 0 shortlistedin thegeneral categoryIn Vlew of thisfactual the li 0 have this Court seeking a direction for shifting the I 9 reservedcategorycandidateswho have securedmore marks than the 1 1 I shortlistedcandidatesin general categoryto general category on thebasis of Z their merit andresultantslots in reservedlist be filled from reserved l candidatesnext in the merit on thebasis of test The 1 I G prayer made in some of thewrit petitions is also to redrawthe merit list in Z accordancewith themandate in case ofIndra Sawhney Vse 4 00 UnionofIndia as 1992Supple31SCC 217 andReKeSabharwal em andothersVseStateofPuniab reported as 1995121 RSJ 8950 Z The stand of the Commission and the 1S Om identicalIt is statedthatas per thePunjab StateCivil Service 1 byCombined Rules 2009read with PunjabCivil Service Branch9 Rules 1976 Rule 13A41thetotalnumberof candidatesto be admitted to the main examinationcannot 1 exceed13 times the total number of vacancies determinedby the Gvt under subrule 1 Rule 13A 41reliedupon by the readsas under 1 1 1 4 Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 9 67 1S 1 4 1 CWP No 1023of2011 m 71 41 The total numberof candidates 1 to be admittedto the maln t examinationshall not exceedthirteentimesthetotal numberof vacancies determinedbythegovt undersubule 17 It is contendedthatthereis no provisionunder d 1 the rules or instructionswhich inter alia requires a reservedcategory candidatewho secures more marksthanthegeneralcategorycandidateis to m lY be treatedas generalcategorycandidatefor purposes of as 0 prelude Il to main examination havefurtherrelied 0 upon the instructionsdated302 1996 which prohibits conversionfrom r C5 I one categoryto another It is stated that the candidatesare required to be shortlistedup to thirteen 131timesthe numberofvacancies Z 111their own categoryand no candidatecan be shiAedfrom one categoryto r another includingfrom reserved to generalcategoryfor purposesof 6 for mam examination It is also the standof the Z 1 Statethatreservation is providedunderthe backwardclasses Reservation QO in Act 2006 andthereis no provisionin the said Act whereunder w a reserved categorycandidatewho rnarks thanthe general Z secures more Qw category can betreatedas generalcategorycandidate It is also the standof the thatthecandidateswhoapplied undera particularcategory are required to appearln the main examinationand viva voce test in the same categoryin which theyhadapplied 4r The Stateof Punjab has enactedthe PunjabScheduledCastes i and BackwardClasses Reservationin serviceslAct 2006 This Act 1S applicable to all bya direct recruitment bypromotion or by transfer Section 4 provides thepercentage ofreservationfor eachcategory 1 6sW Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 1 68 I L1 e CWP No 1023of2011 10 e11 1 andreadsas underl 1 4 Peme of Reservadon While making in service byany ofthemethodsprovidedunderanyService Rules resenIationshall be madefor themembersoftheScheduledCastes I lll and BackwardClassesin theservicesunderall theestablishments 29 The percentageof reservationfor 8lling up the i vacancles by direct recruitmentor bytransfer in GroupA1 GTOUBl r GroupC and GroupD senlices shall be twentye per cent for 0 ScheduledCastesand twelveper centforBackwardClasses 1l 0 31 The percentageof reservationfor lling up the t 5 vacancles bypromotionbyScheduledCastesin GroupA and GroupB I servicesshall befourteenper cent 49 Thepercentageof up thevacancies Z bypromotionby 5 ScheduledCastesUl GroupC and GroupD services 2 0 shall betwentyper cent 59 Fif per cent ofthevacanciesofthequotareservedfor I L0 ScheduledCastesin direct recruitmentshall be 0Heredto Balmikisand Z Mazhbi Sikhs if available asa flrst from amongstthe 4 ScheduledCastes Cll 6 Reservationshall be by vacancies vm bymeans of a running roster beprescribed till thepercentageof Z as may YSIltiOn aS Specijied in sulsedions I and are e 71 Reservationshall be to vacanciesto belled On ad hoc basis short term vacancies work charged establishmentdaily wagestaHandthe on contract basis 81 Reservation shall also be applicableto proforma l promotionand bytramfer 37 1 Section 7 deals with the deeservationof the reserved 446 vacanciesand readsas under 44 Deereservation vacanc11Thereshall be no dev 1 reservation of any reserved vacancybyany appointingauthority in any establishmentwhich ls to be 8lled up by direct recruitment or by promotion In case a qualifled or eligibleScheduledCastesor Backward CInsrPs rnnrlidntP ns thP rnsP mnv ho is nnt nvnilnhlp tn Oll un surh P9 44 ee Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Il 69 1 4 1 CWP No 1023 of2011 11 jl vacancyin thatsituationsuch vacancy shall renminunlled 1 21 containedln subesectiorll 1 ij in thepublicinterest it is deemednecessaryto flll up any vacancy referredto ln that subesectionthe shall referthe vacancyto the of WelfareofScheduledCastesand Backward Classesfor deereservation Uponsuch the of Welfareof ScheduledCastes and BackwardClasses may if it is satisfied 1 that it is necessaryor so to do byorderin writingdemreserve the 0 vacanc subject to theconditionthat thevacancy so deereservedshall be 9 C against a unresenledvacancy 31 I t5 Contentionon behalf of the petitioners is that the reservation policyof the State1Sto beapplied in accordancewith the of the Z Reservation Act Govt Instructionsissued from time to time and the 1 of theHonble ApexCourt In case as 1992Suppl01 I SCC 217 titled as Indra SawhneyVse Union of India the Honble Ol t0 Court observedas under Z 1 811 In this connection it is well to rememberthat the OO resenlations under Article 16 do not operatelike a conal 1 mno resenlation It may well happenthat some members to Sl Z ScheduledCastesgetselectedin the open on thebasisof 0m their own meritl theywill not be courued againstthe quotareservedfor 4 ScheduledCastes theywill betreatedas open candidates 37 In a ConstitutionBench in case ofRK Sabharwal Vs StateofPunjab19921 SCT 6460 The Honble C Court has furtherobservedas underl 1 61 Whena percentageof resenlation is flxedin respectof a particularcadreand the roster indicates the reserve poin8 it has to be takenthatthepostsshown at the reserve pointsare to be fllledfrom 1 the membersofresenle categories and thecandidates to the generalcategoryare not entitledto be consideredfor the reserve 1 postsOn theotherhand the resenle categorycandidatescan compete 69 e 1 44 Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 70 1 CWP No 1023of2011 12 f for the nonmreserve postsand in theevent oftheir to the said t 356poststheir numbercannot be added andtakeninto working out thepercentage Anicle 16 oftheConstitution of India permitsthe State Government to makeany provisionfor the 1 1 reservation of or postsinfavourofany backwardclass of Cltlzen which in theopinionof theStatelS not In the Services under the State It is incumbenton the State 4 U Governmentto reach a conclusionthat the backwardclasslclassesfor which thereservationis made is not in theState yi 0 1 0 Senlices While doingSo the State Governmentmay take the total 1 I of a particularbackwardclass and its in the t5 State ServicesVhen the StateGovernment ar doingthe necessary 11 I exerclse makesthe reservation andprovides theextent ofpercentageof Z poststo be resenledfor thesaid backwardclassthen thepercentageh 1 to befollowedstrictly Theprescribed percentagecannotbe varied or changed simplybecausesome of the membersofthebackwardclassIwe I already been againstthegeneral seats As mentioned Cl above the rosterpointwhich is reservedfor a backwardclass has to be Z 1 filledbyway of ofthememberofthesaid class m No generalcategorycandidateCan be againsta slot in the rosterwhich is the backwwd class Thefactthat considerable V Z numberof membersof a backwardclass havebeen Qm againstgeneral seats in the StateServicesmaybe a the StateGovernmentto review the the said class but so long as the instructionslles providingcertmn thebackwardclassesare operative thesa have to be followed Despit any number of to the backwardclassesagainstthegeneral categoypoststhe t C givenpercentagehas to beprovided in adtion 33 Honble Court againconsideredthe questionof ofthe reservationin case ofRitesh Re Sah Vse Dre YeLe Yamul Ill l i i 1 In 4 Il 118 111 reported as SCC 253 iindfollowedthe above9iew howeverthls t rt was a case ofadmissionto course In case ofRavindrIjr 1 9 1 1 7 V9 1 n44 rjl 3 1 0 Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 71 J 44 4 CWP Noe1023of2011 13 1 1 Vse State of Haryanaand others reported as 2010 SCC 136 the 1 Honlole Court the principleof merit of the reserved 1 categorycandidatesobserved as underl 1 11 It was arguedby SO thatif an exesenlicemancandida scoredhighenough marksentitling 1 him to be selected ln the categorysuch candidatesoughtto be selectedin the said categoryinsteadof selecting 0 themin the BC641 or BB1 categories 13 1 0 In case of JitenderKumar Singh I and another Vse State of 1 UePeAnd others reported as 2010OI SCC 119 Honble Court was agaln the whetherreservedcategory candidate Z can b SleCtedaainst thegeneralcategoryposton f rnore marks thanthelastcandidatein thegeneralcategoryIn para33 of the 6 C1 Z Il 33 The core lSSue n thewrit petitions 1 4 Was with regardto C lling up the General postsby candidates to the reserved categorycandidateson their more marksthanthelast Z candidatein theGeneral 31 Qe This question hasbeenansweredas under1 From theaboveit becomesquiteapparentthal therelaxation m age limit is merely to enablewith thegeneralcategorycandidate all other thingsbeingequal TheStatehas not treatedtherelaxation ln age andfeeas relaxationin the selectionbasedon the merit ofthe C candidatein theselectiontest ie Main Written byInterview t cdndidateof therighlto be consideredas a generalcategorycandidateon thebasisof merit in the examination 37 Based upon these learnedcounsel for the petitionershavesubmittedthatreservedcategorycandidates cannot be rl V4 5 Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 1D 72 2 4 V CWP No 1023of2011 14 1 generalcategorycandidatestheyhavebeenretainedin reservedcategory 1 and thusdeprived thereservedcategory candidatesnext in themeritoftheir rightof in the main examinationIt is t i basisof theirown meritare to be treatedas general category candidatesfor j 0 purposesof allowingthe benefit of reservationto other reservedcategorycandidateswho are next in the merit in the relevant Ii 0 category It is contendedthatthebenefitof reservationis to be granted to r C5 the deprived classesof the societywho byvirtue of their are I unable to playa level game with others however by not treatingthe Z rnerltorlous reserved categorycandidatesamongstthe generalcategory 1 2 candidatesthe benefit of reservationdoes not percolate to the I reservedcategorycandidates Z Apartfrom above petitioners have also relied upon 1 Go r0 Instructionsdated 107995 wherein provisionshave been awo madel Z r1 i While the percentageof reservation as fl prescribedin Govt Instructionsfromtime to time the olcialslojlicers 1 on basis to reserve categories will be thenumbefresenle working in theparticularcadre 33 TheseGovt Instructionshavealso been followed by another 1 1 Govt Instructionsdated3012 1996 whereby quantumof reservation for BackwardClassesUl the State Services has been fixed This notification furtherprovidesthat wherethe regularnumberof ScheduledCastes Ex 1 serviceman candidatesare not availablethe eannarked vacanciesfor this categorywould flrst go to ScheduledCastesand in case no Scheduled esl 1 Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 73 S e CWP No 1023of2011 15 1 1 Castescandidatesare available thesewill be givento the Exserviceman 1 generalcategorycandidatesIt is argued thatenough number 1 of ScheduledCastes Exeservicemanbeingnot available the vacancies 1 tl would go to Scheduledcastes candidatesat the first tnstance and i ScheduledCastescandidatesare alsonot availablethenthesevacancieswill 41 e goto Exmservicemangeneral categor candidates 0 MrliC Arora one ofthe counsel for the I 1 C0 hasfurtherargued thatthevery objectof shiftingthemeritoriousreserved 45 r category candidatesto thegeneralcategorypoolis not to allow any benefit I to anyindividualbut to grantbeneOtofreservationto a class ofthe society Z who has sufferedand is to be providedequal with the non 1 1 reservedcategories 4t I The State on itsparthas and P the C1 Z contention of the petitionersMr PuneetGuptalearnedAddl AG and 1 QO Ms Anu Pal AAG Punjabwhile referring to the PunjabCivil Service m Executive BranchlClasseIlRules 1976 have submittedthat preliminary Z examinationhasbeenconductedstrictlyin accordancewith the mandateof tl the rules The rules of the reservationpolicyat the 1 stageof examination to the limitedextent Accordingto Mr Guptaevery reserved categorycandidatehas been provided opportunity to competefor nlain examinationand 13 timescandidatesfrom 1 each reserved categoryhave been shortlistedand declaredqualifiedfor t appearing lll the main examination It is contended that the examination per se 1S not a process of selectionbut onlya prelude to initiation of selection process The throughthe mode of 1 examinationis onlya examinationandthe strict rules ezv 4 Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 74 210 4 CWP No1023of2011 e16m 1 of reservationhaveno at the stageof qualifying examination 1 The rthercontentionof the 5cxrvosw lS thatwhile providing benefitto 1 the reservedcategories the conceptof administrativeefllciency cannotbe l 4 sacriflced A balanceis to be maintainedbetweenthereservationandthe administrativeefficiency which is thehallmarkof everyservice 4 1 r the administrativeservicesof a Statewhich is consideredto be a premier 0 service Referring to the observationsmade in Indra RlC 1 0 I Sabharwaland M Nagrajs cases it is arguedthat while the V C5 reservation administrative eftlciency hasalso to bepreserved I 1 It is 81rthercontendedthat a balancehasto be struckbetween Z the claims of the reservedcategories andthe maintenanceof efficiency of 1 administration underArticle 335ofthe ConstitutionofIndia I Reservation to provideequal to the deprived 3 Z and classesemanatesfromAnicle 1619of 1 C0 theConstitutionof India whereasArticle 335 requires theconsiderationof m the claimsof ScheduledCastes and ScheduledTribes with the Z malntenance of efficiency of administration The constitutionalscheme Om itself requiresproviding to the classesof the 2 societyto enablethem to competewith others who are considered to be better placedwith ltl the societyand at the sametime needs administrativeefficiency It is in this context that the principleof 1 C reservation what 1S called in legal as the protective discrimination is to be viewed The purpose andscope of Article 16 has beenconsideredbythe Honble ApexCourt in a number right from the case ofRailwayGM Vse Rangacharireported as 19621 2 SCR 586 to VseUnion ofIndia and others reported a0061 8 4 44 Rashmi 2014.07.01 11: 16 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document P 75 4 CWP No 1023of2011 7 SCC 212 and even in some by Honble Supreme 1 Court in depthIt hasbeenheldthatArticle 1641is an enabling provision It is in this context that in Indra case supraHonble 1 ll Courthasobserved as under t maysacrifice merit but does 1 j not tn any way sacrificecompetence becausethe under Article r 16 haveto possess the requisite basic and eligibility and 0 have to compete 91 0 among themselvesthoughnot with the mainstream candidates 33 I C5 r Maintenanceof efflciency in public is as relevant I and as providing reservation to the classesas Z has beennoticed by the Honble Court in Indra case supralwhich is hereunder1