Case: RAJESH KUMAR DWIVEDI Vs. STATE OF UP

HEMANT GUPTA, J. 1. The challenge in the present appeal is to an order dated 14 th December, 2016 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad whereby the appeal filed by the appellant challenging the order dated 26 th April, 2011 passed by the learned Single Judge was dismissed. 2. An advertisement was issued on 17 th March, 2008 by the Directorate of Training and Employment, Lucknow, U.P . inviting applications for the various posts of Instructors in the Government Industrial Training Institute of the State. The appellant applied for the post of Instructor in the subject of Fitter. The educational eligibility condition prescribed for the said post was a certificate in concerned trade from National Council of Vocational Training for short, NCVT apart from two years? experience in any industry or training/educational institute, either before or after getting instructor training. The appellant applied for such post on the basis of the following educational qualifications: (a) National Trade Certificate of basic training of one year from September, 1990 to August, 1991 in Mechanical Group imparted by Model Industrial Training Institute for short, MITI, Haldwani; (b) National Trade Certificate of further training of six months from September, 1991 to February, 1992 in Fitter General imparted by MITI, Haldwani; and (c) National Trade Certificate of further training of six months from March, 1992 to August, 1992 in Metrology and Engineering Inspection imparted by MITI, Haldwani.3. The appellant was found not eligible for the reason that he does not possess two years course from NCVT. The High Court dismissed the writ petition filed by the appellant for the reason that three different courses undertaken by the appellant cannot be treated as equivalent to the qualification prescribed under the Rules. 4. The appellant relies upon Circular issued by Ministry of Labour & Rehabilitation, Government of India on 16 th December, 1983 giving equivalency between various disciplines under Restructured Pattern and Conventional Pattern of Craftsmen Training Scheme. The said Circular clarifies that a candidate having basic course of Mechanical Trade of one year, Fitting General Module of six months and Metrology and Engineering Inspection Module of six months was treated to be equivalent to Fitter of two years training. Subsequently, the State Government vide communication dated 18 th August, 1988 issued directions for considering the eligibility of training obtained from MITI, Haldwani for services and posts under State Government. The same is reproduced hereunder:?From The Director Training and Employment Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow To The Secretary Government of Uttar Pradesh Labour Department Secretariat, Lucknow. Letter No. /E-2/0102/Policy(General)/84-85 Dated: August 18, 1988 Sub: Regarding issuance of directions for considering the trainees obtained training from Model Industrial Training Institute, Haldwani. Sir Shri Q.L. Juneja, Principal/Deputy Director, Model Industrial Training Institute, Haldwani (Nainital) has requested that orders for considering the trainees who have obtained training from this institute for the services/appointments under State Government. In this reference, he informed that directions for issuance of necessary orders in this regard have already been given to all the Ministries of Government of India and different departments vide Letter No. D.G.E.T.-5/7/83-T.C. dated 31 st October, 1983 and that request has been made for issuance of above orders at the earliest to all the State Governments and Union T erritories of the Country. 2. In this reference, it is noteworthy that on recommendation of National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT), the Government of India has established the above Institute in year 1981 under re- structured training pattern of the Craftsmen training scheme, for which, the Government has already been provided 11 acres of land. 3. Following two certificates are being issued by the Model Industrial Training Institute, Haldwani (Nainital): (1) National Training Certificate Basic Training. (2) Certificate of Proficiency awarding to the successful trainees under the restructured training pattern of Craftsmen Training Scheme. 4. It is well-considered opinion of this directorate, that the above both certificates granted by above institute kindly be declared eligible for services and posts under State Government like Government of India, whereby, the candidates trained by above institute may be retired in the services under State Government.? 5. Subsequently, another Circular was issued by the Training and Employment Directorate on 9 th April, 1992 that certificate in Fitter Trade of two years granted by MITI, Haldwani which includes one year basic training and six months module be treated equivalent to the National Trade Certificate. The Circular reads as under:?From The Director Training and Employment Directorate Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow To 1. All Regional/District/City Employment Officer All Regional/District/City Employment Office, U.P . 2. All Deputy-Head of University, Employment, Information and Consultation Center, U.P . Letter No. 1083/E-2/0102/Policy Regn./90 Lucknow, dated 09 April, 92. Sub: For getting recognized certificate in two years fitter trade granted by MITI, Haldwani equivalent to N.T.C. Sir It is informed vide letter No. D.G.E.T.-7(1)/91-C.D. dated 18.02.1992 of Training and Employment Directorate General, New Delhi that the certificate in fitter trade of two years granted by MITI, Haldwani wherein, one year basic training and six months modules are included, shall be treated equivalent to the National Trade Certificate. Therefore, you are hereby directed that those candidates, who have received above training and may appear for registration in your office, then, please be registered them in profession equivalent to N.T.C. for Employment/Trainee Training.? 6. The argument of learned counsel for the appellant is that the qualification obtained by the candidate in three different modules is treated to be equivalent to the Fitter Trade of two years duration as per the Circulars issued by the Government of Uttar Pradesh on 18 th August, 1988 and 9 th April, 1992, therefore, the appellant is eligible candidate for appointment to the post of Fitter.7. Learned counsel for the State has filed an additional affidavit to explain the said three Circulars relied upon by the appellant. It is mentioned that the appellant is not possessed of the qualification as mentioned in the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Training Institutes (Instructors) Service Rules, 1991 3 , as amended in the year 2003 called the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Training Institutes (Instructors) 3 for short, ‘the Rules? Service (Second Amendment) Rules, 2003 4 . It is pointed out that Circulars dated 16 th December, 1983, 18 th August, 1988 and 9 th April, 1992, relied upon by the appellant, will have no effect unless necessary amendment is being made in the Rules for the appointment of Instructors in the State. 8. Rule 8 of the amended Rules has prescribed the following academic qualifications:?8. Academic Qualification – (1) A candidate for recruitment to the post of instructor other than the post of language instructor (Hindi/English) in the Service must possess the following qualifications: (1) Educational - (i) Must have passed Intermediate examination of the Board of High School and Intermediate Education, Uttar Pradesh or an Examination recognised by the Government as equivalent, thereto. (ii) Must have obtained a certificate in the respective trade from the National Council for Training in Vocational Trades. OR Must have obtained National Apprenticeship Certificate in the respective trade. OR **** ****? 9. We find that the stand of the State that appellant is not possessed of educational qualifications is not tenable. The eligibility condition is that a candidate must have obtained a certificate in respective trade from NCVT. It is not necessary that a qualification prescribed in the Rules has to be possessed in one certificate. The Circular of 4 for short, ‘the amended Rules? the Government of India dated 16 th December, 1983 prescribes the following conditions: table 10. It is on the basis of such Circular, the Director of Training and Employment of the State has issued Circulars on 18 th August, 1988 and on 9 th April, 1992 that such qualification will be deemed to be equivalent to the National Trade Certificate. Once the educational qualification has been treated to be equivalent by the State Government in the Circulars issued earlier, the stand of the State that appellant is not qualified has no legs to stand. The State itself has treated qualification of basic course in Mechanical Trade Fitter, General Module and Metrology and Engineering Inspection Module equivalent to conventional pattern of Craftsmen Training Scheme. Thus, we find that the stand of the State that the appellant was not possessing educational qualification cannot be sustained. The candidature of the appellant was not validly rejected.

Decision reasoning: 0[ds]9. We find that the stand of the State that appellant is not possessed of educational qualifications is not tenable. The eligibility condition is that a candidate must have obtained a certificate in respective trade from NCVT. It is not necessary that a qualification prescribed in the Rules has to be possessed in one certificate10. It is on the basis of such Circular, the Director of Training and Employment of the State has issued Circulars on 18 th August, 1988 and on 9 th April, 1992 that such qualification will be deemed to be equivalent to the National Trade Certificate. Once the educational qualification has been treated to be equivalent by the State Government in the Circulars issued earlier, the stand of the State that appellant is not qualified has no legs to stand. The State itself has treated qualification of basic course in Mechanical Trade Fitter, General Module and Metrology and Engineering Inspection Module equivalent to conventional pattern of Craftsmen Training Scheme. Thus, we find that the stand of the State that the appellant was not possessing educational qualification cannot be sustained. The candidature of the appellant was not validly rejected.