# R.K. MOBISANA SINGH v. KH. TEMBA SINGH & ORS - **Citation:** [2007] 13 S.C.R. 434 - **Court:** Supreme Court of India - **Decided:** 2007-12-12 - **Case number:** Writ Appeal No. 392 of2003 - **Bench:** S.B Sinha, Harjit Singh Bedi - **Source:** https://unisonlegal.in/judgment/supreme-court-of-india/r-k-mobisana-singh-v-kh-temba-singh-ors-22400 - **Pages:** 31 ## Headnote Service Law-Seniority-Inter se seniority, direct recruits vis a vis promotees'-Ad hoc promotions granted to employees against c vacancies in promotee quota-Regularization with retrospective effect-Grant of-Held: When promotion is given only in exigency of situation without following the Rules, period cannot be counted towards seniority-Retrospective regularization could be granted only when such Rule exists-Retrospective regularization though could D confer other service benefits but cannot be of any help for reckoning seniority with retrospective effect-On facts, State being a competent y authority to determine inter se seniority of parties in view of the principles enunciated by this Court. E The question which arose for consideration in these appeals was whether the ad hoc promotions granted to the employees from the post of Section Officer (Grade-n to the post of Assistant Engineer in the Public Works Department of the State Government against vacancies in promotee quota, could have been directed to be regularized with F retrospective effect so as to effect the inter se seniority between the direct recruits and the promotees. Appellants and the other promotee respondents inter alia contended that they having been promoted against vacancies arising G in the year 1985 in the promotee quota and their services having been regularized with retrospective effect and not by way of stop gap employment, their seniority should be considered; that the recruitment rules did not contain any prohibition on grant ofregularisation with ,j retrospective effect and the same being permissible, the promotees were H 434 y lR.K. MOBISANA SINGH v. KH. TEMBA SINGH 435 entitled to seniority with effect from the date from which their services A were regularized with retrospective effect; and that the Single Judge of High Court, having directed examination of the matter by a fact finding body upon proper application of mind and determination of seniority having regard to the decisions of this court is to be affirmed. Direct recruits contended that the promotees were not entitled to B seniority from the date of their ad hoc promotion· since the ad hoc promotions were found to have been made in violation of the Recruitment Rules; that the procedure prescribed for grant of regular promotion had not been followed; that some of the promotees did not C fulfil the requisite eligibility criteria prescribed by the rules; that the orders passed by the High Court directing regularisation with retrospective effect did not confer on them any consequential seniority; that some judgment of the High Court giving consequential seniority were reviewed in favour of the direct recruits; thatthere is no Rule which D enables the Government to give seniority with retrospective effect to the promotees; and that the consequent orders of the Government regularizing the services specifically stated that the seniority shall be determined later was not challenged by the promotees. Disposing of the appeals, the Court E HELD: 1.1. There did not exist any Rule for determination of inter se seniority. They were governed by some office memorandums. An Office Memorandum was issued on 22.12.1959 providing for general principles for determination of seniority in the general services. Although F in terms of the office memorandum, no retrospective effect could be given to the order of regularisation passed in favour of the promotees, as in absence of any seniority Rules operating in the field, the State was required to evolve a policy. It for its own reason did not do so. (Paras 27 and 37) (455-H; 456-A; 463-D-E] G 1.2. The office memorandum of 1959 was applicable in a case of this nature. In some of the cases, promotion might have been given without following the Rules. When promotion is given only in the exigency of situation without following the Rules, the period cannot be counted towards seniority. [Para 38) (463-F] H 436 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 13 (~ddl.) S.C.R. A 1.3.' If the ## Text _Characters 0–39,915 of 51,469. This is a partial read: ask again with offset=39915 for what follows._ A R.K. MOBISANA SINGH v. KH. TEMBA SINGH & ORS. DECEMBER 12, 2007 B •, [S.B SINHA AND HARJIT SINGH BEDI, JJ.) Service Law-Seniority-Inter se seniority, direct recruits vis a vis promotees'-Ad hoc promotions granted to employees against c vacancies in promotee quota-Regularization with retrospective effect-Grant of-Held: When promotion is given only in exigency of situation without following the Rules, period cannot be counted towards seniority-Retrospective regularization could be granted only when such Rule exists-Retrospective regularization though could D confer other service benefits but cannot be of any help for reckoning seniority with retrospective effect-On facts, State being a competent y authority to determine inter se seniority of parties in view of the principles enunciated by this Court. E The question which arose for consideration in these appeals was whether the ad hoc promotions granted to the employees from the post of Section Officer (Grade-n to the post of Assistant Engineer in the Public Works Department of the State Government against vacancies in promotee quota, could have been directed to be regularized with F retrospective effect so as to effect the inter se seniority between the direct recruits and the promotees. Appellants and the other promotee respondents inter alia contended that they having been promoted against vacancies arising G in the year 1985 in the promotee quota and their services having been regularized with retrospective effect and not by way of stop gap employment, their seniority should be considered; that the recruitment rules did not contain any prohibition on grant ofregularisation with ,j retrospective effect and the same being permissible, the promotees were H 434 y lR.K. MOBISANA SINGH v. KH. TEMBA SINGH 435 entitled to seniority with effect from the date from which their services A were regularized with retrospective effect; and that the Single Judge of High Court, having directed examination of the matter by a fact finding body upon proper application of mind and determination of seniority having regard to the decisions of this court is to be affirmed. Direct recruits contended that the promotees were not entitled to B seniority from the date of their ad hoc promotion· since the ad hoc promotions were found to have been made in violation of the Recruitment Rules; that the procedure prescribed for grant of regular promotion had not been followed; that some of the promotees did not C fulfil the requisite eligibility criteria prescribed by the rules; that the orders passed by the High Court directing regularisation with retrospective effect did not confer on them any consequential seniority; that some judgment of the High Court giving consequential seniority were reviewed in favour of the direct recruits; thatthere is no Rule which D enables the Government to give seniority with retrospective effect to the promotees; and that the consequent orders of the Government regularizing the services specifically stated that the seniority shall be determined later was not challenged by the promotees. Disposing of the appeals, the Court E HELD: 1.1. There did not exist any Rule for determination of inter se seniority. They were governed by some office memorandums. An Office Memorandum was issued on 22.12.1959 providing for general principles for determination of seniority in the general services. Although F in terms of the office memorandum, no retrospective effect could be given to the order of regularisation passed in favour of the promotees, as in absence of any seniority Rules operating in the field, the State was required to evolve a policy. It for its own reason did not do so. (Paras 27 and 37) (455-H; 456-A; 463-D-E] G 1.2. The office memorandum of 1959 was applicable in a case of this nature. In some of the cases, promotion might have been given without following the Rules. When promotion is given only in the exigency of situation without following the Rules, the period cannot be counted towards seniority. [Para 38) (463-F] H 436 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 13 (~ddl.) S.C.R. A 1.3.' If they had been given regularisation with retrospective effect, the same by itself may not be a ground to apply the said order ipso facto for determining the inter se seniority. Seniority although is not a . fundamental right but a civil right. Such a right of the direct recruits could not have been taken away without affording an opportunity of hearing B to them. It was obligatory on the part of the official respondents to take into consideration thatthe retrospective regularization could be.granted only when there exists such a Rule. If Rules were not followed at the time of grant of promotion, question of grant of regularization with retrospective effect w.ould'not arise. Retrospective regularization C whether in terms of the directions of the High Court or otherwise, thus, although could confer other service benefits to the officer concerned, · but the same cannot be held to be of any assistance for reckoning seniority with retrospective effect. It was for the DPC to recommend in regard thereto. In some of the cases, evidently the procedure has not D been followed. Therefore, the question of their acquiring seniority over the direct recruits does not arise. [Paras 39,40,41 and42] (463-F-H; 464-A-C] 1.4. The ma~er requires a closer scrutiny by the State itself. As the function relating to determination of inter se seniority is that of the E State, the constitution of a committee, as proposed by the Single Judge of High Court is not approved. However, it would be open to the State to do so, if it so desires. Therefore, the competent authority of the State is directed to determine the inter se seniority of the parties in view of the principles enunciated by this Court and apply the same to the fact F .of each case. [Para 43] [464-D-E) Direct Recruit Class II Engineering Officers' Association v. State of Maharashtra and Ors., (1990] 2 SCC 715; Sura} Prakash Gupta v. State of J & Kand Ors., (2000]7 SCC 561; K Siva Redlfyv. State of A.P., [1988) Supp. SCC 225; Ramendra Singh v. Jagdish Prasad, (1984] Supp SCC G 142; MK Shanmugam andAnr. Y. Union of India and Ors., (2000] 4 SCC 476; Swapan Kumar Pal and Ors. v. Samitabhar Chah-aborty and Ors., [2001] 5 SCC 581; Md lsrail and Ors. v. State ofWB. and Ors., (2002) 2 SCC 306; D.N Agrawal and Anr. v. State of Madhya Pradesh and Ors., [1990] 2 SCC 553 and Santosh Kumarv. G.R. Chawla, (2003] 10 SCC H 513, relied on. y y R.K. MOBISANA SINGH v. KH.TEMBA SINGH 437 [SINHA, J.] CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeal No. 5837 of A 2007. From the Judgment and Order dated 24.08.2004 of the High Court ofGauhati, Imphal Bench in Writ Appeal No. 392 of2003. WITH C.A. No. 5838 & 5848 of 2007. A. Sharan, ASG., V.N. Ganpule, Raju Ramachandran and L.N. B Rao, S.K. Bhattacharya, L:K. Paonam, Niraj B. Paonam, Sapam Biswajit Meitei, Ashok Kumar Singh, Naresh Kumar Gaur, Aparna Bhat, P. C Ramesh Kumar and Khwairakpam Nobin Singh for the appearing parties. The Judgment of the Coll.rt was delivered by S.1~. SINHA, J. 1. Leave granted. 2. These appeals involving similar questions oflaw and fact were D taken up for hearing together and are being disposed of by this common judgment. Appellant as also the private respondents hereto have been working as Assistant Engineers in the Public Works Department. The promotees are diploma holders, or degree holders in Engineering. They were holding the posts ofS.O. Grade 1, whereas the direct recruits are E Graduates in Engineering. Recruitment to the post of Assistant Engineer and/or promotion thereto, although is governed by the Public Works Department, Manipur Assistant Engineer (Civil/Mech) Surveyor of Works Recruitment Rules of 1969, 1975 and 1984 made under the proviso appended to Article 309 of the Constitution of India; there does not exist p any Rule governing seniority and in particular inter se senioritjr amongst the direct recruits and the promotees. 3. In terms of the recruitment rules, whereas forty per cent of the posts are to be filled by direct recruitment from the open market, 60 per cent of the posts are to be filled up by promotion in the following sub- G quota:- L 50% by selection from amongst the Engineering Degree holders who have rendered a minimum of 3 years regular service as S.O. Grade I as equivalent Post. H A B 438 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 13 (Addi.) S.C.R. Provided that is sufficient number of Degree holders are not available, the vacancies may be filled up by Diploma holders with 8 years regular ser,rice as S.O. Grade-I. 11. 50% by selection from amongst the Engineering Diploma Holders of3 years course with 8 years regular service as S.O. Grade I or non Degree/non Diploma holders with 15 years outstanding record as S.O. Grade I. 4. Before embarking on the questions involved in these matters, we may notice the fact of the matter. C 5. 'The Government ofManipur informed the Manipur Public Service Commission in regard to existence of 39 vacancies in the posts of Assistant Engineer (AE) on or about 18.4.1977. A request was made to convene Departmental Promotion Committee for filling up the said vacant posts. Some of the promotees, who were either the Graduates in Engineering D or were diploma holders in Engineering were working as Section Officers (Grade-I). We would come to their respective dates of appointment a little later, but, at this stage, it may be noticed that in terms of the Recruitment Rules, in order to become eligible for promotion, three years' experience for the Graduates in Engineering and eight years' experience E for the diploma holders in the posts of Section Officer (Grade-I) was necessary. They had been promoted on an ad hoc basis without following the procedure laid down under the Recruitment Rules. On or about 6.3 .1979, the Government of Manipur sent a revised proposal for appointment to the post of Assistant Engineer (Civil/Mechanical) by F promotion on regular basis. However, yet again on 22.6.1981, the Government ofManipur directed the Commission for convening a regular Departmental Promotion Committee for consideration of promotion to the post of Assistant Engineer( Civil/Mechanical) in the following terms : G H "I am directed to send herewith a requisition in the MPSC Form No. 6 duly filled in for convening a regular DPC for consideration of promotion to the post of Assistant Engineer (Civil/Mech.). Required ACRs and Integrity certificates in respect of the eligible officers are being sent separately. You are requested kindly to examine the case for convening a DPC at an early date. y R.K. MOBISANA SINGH v. KH. TEMBA SINGH (SINHA, J.] Kindly acknowledge the receipt of this letter. 439 Yours faithfully Encl : As above A (R. Marulung) Under Secretary to the Govt. ofManipur" B 6. Respondents were promoted as Assistant Engineers on an ad hoc basis. We may notice thatthe contesting respondent in SLP(C) No. 16901 of2006 was promoted as Assistant Engineer on ad hoc basis against a permanent vacancy. He was appointed as Assistant Engineer on officiating C basis with effect from the date of joining of the post on the recommendations of the Departmental Promotion Committee held on 18.7.1985 and 20.7.1985 in the 1985 vacancies, which was followed by an order dated 06.09.1986 regularizing his services from 20.09.1985. 7. Indisputably, a seniority list was published on 31.1.2000. 8. Ten writ petitions were filed by the promotees before the High Court raising a grievance that in the said seniority list, although they were shown as Assistant Engineers, having been appointed against the vacant posts in the promotee quota under clear vacancies which were available D in 1981 itself, they were appointed on ad hoc basis. According to them, E although they were promoted to the post of Junior Engineer on ad hoc basis in or about 1981, they had been shown as junior to direct recruits who were appointed in 1986. 9. A learned Single Judge of the High Court noticed that in some of F the cases, regularization with retrospective effect had been directed to be given. It took note of the contention of the writ petitioners that they fulfilled the eligibility criteria for promotion, but since at the relevant time, the Commission became defunct, they were promoted on ad hoc basis against the available vacancies made for the promotees. The learned Single Judge G recorded that the counsel appearing on behalf of the State was not in a position to inform the court in regard to the vacancy position as was obtaining then and furthermore the statements made in the writ application in regard to promotion in excess of quota or grant of promotion in absence of availability of any vacancy having not been controverted, the same H 440 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 13 (Addi.) S.C.R. A should be accepted to be correct. It was furthennore noticed that the minutes of the Review Committee were not made available to the Court and, therefore, it arrived at a conclusion that the Review Committee failed to discharge its duties, as a result whereof the impugned seniority list failed to demonstrate the correct seniority position drawn in accordance with B law. 10. The learned Single Judge therefore, directed for preparation of ~ a fresh seniority list. It was also directed that a Monitoring Committee be constituted to ascertain the availability of vacancies with reference to the years of appointment of the various promotees vis-a-vis, the direct recniits C and to examine whether any of them encroached upon the quota meant for others. It was furthermore directed that in view of the failure on the · part of the State Government to place the correct factual position to conduct a basic fact finding exercise in regard to availability of vacancies in respect of the quotas, if any, at the relevant point of time. DE F G H It was directed : "32. The Committee is to undertake the exercise having followed the following guidelines a. The respective date of initial promotion on ad hoc basis of the petitioners be treated as substantive appointment· as Assistant Engineer. b. The Co~ttee is to ascettain the availability of vacancy with · 1'.eference to the year of appointment of the petitioners already done on ad hoc basis and also the appointment of private respondents and to examine whether any of them encroached the quota meant for others. c. The promotees and direct recruitees shall be fitted against the available vacancies within their respective quotas. d. In case, any excess promotion/direct appointment are found . to be there, h~ or they should be adjusted against the vacancy made available subsequently .. e. In considering the availability of vacancy the Committee must y R.K. MOBISANA SINGH v. KH. TEMBA SINGH 441. (SINHA, J.] count the vacancy simplicitor be it temporary vacancy or A substantive vacancy in the post of Assistant Engineer. £ After exhausting the fitment exercise the intra seniority viz., the seniority of the promotee themselves and the seniority of the direct recruitees themselves should be prepared separately. g. Thereafter, having maintained ratio of3:2 interse seniority list is to be prepared, first 3 promotees would be listed thereafter 2 direct recruitees would be listed followed by 3 promotees B 2 direct and so on. In case in any year it is found that only some promotions are made out, no direct recruitment, the c promotees should be shown enbloc senior vis-a-vis in case any particular year it is found that the only direct recruitments · were made and no promotion, the direct recruitees be shown enbloc senior. · h To remove any co~sion and doubt a draft inter se seniority D be published first inviting claims and objections and personal hearing of the obje.ctor/claimant if any, be allowed and, thereafter, the final inter se seniority list be published. The said exercise must be completed within a period of3 months from this day. E ·11. Eleven Writ Appeals were filed theteagainst; ten by the direct recruits and one by the State of Manipur which was marked as Writ Appeal No. 384 of2003. It appears that the writ appeals came up before two Division Benches of the High Court in two batches. The judgffient in the first batch was rendered by a· Division Bench on 31.3 .2004 in terms F whereof the judgment of the learned Single Judge was affirmed. The .Division Bench in those cases held that having regard to the fac.t that the orders of the High Court granting retrnspective regularization to the promotees having nof been challenged either by the direct recruits or by the State Government had attained finality. In the aforementioned premis.e, G · it Was-directed : "l 0. From the af CZl 32 in the The High Court seniority list relied on order passed in CR. ...... z 0 :::r: No. 160 of 1991. The High Court in its order recorded that he 0 was not eligible for promotion to A.E. 4. W. Chaoba 06.01.1972 30.10.1976 20.9.1985 Retrospective Government order Singh AE on regular regularization regularizing the (Contesting Section AE on ad hoc basis on from 30. 10.1976 services w.e.f. Respondent Officer basis recommendation vide order dated 30.10.1976 explicitly No. 2 in Grade I ofDPC 17.12.1991 in indicates seniority to SLP Arising C.R. No. 639 of be determined later. out ofW.A. DOB 1.3.49 1991. No. 385/03) No order as to retrospective At serial no. seniority. 56 of the seniority list The High Court relied on order passed in C.R. No. 132/1990 wherein the High Court had granted regularization along with seniority. This order was challenged in a review oetition • by the Direct Recruits and the ::::0 ~ order has been modified to be extent that the :s:: 0 IJ:I seniority will be determined according to rules. - C/l > z > ......... C/l 5. S. Tejamani 23.11.1976 9.7.1979 20.9.1985 Retrospective Government order Singh Section AE on Ad hoc AE on regular regularization regularizing the (Contesting Officer basis basis on vide order dated services w.e.f. Respondent Grade I recommendation 18.12.1991 in 9. 7.1979 explicitly No. l in l.ll.47 ofDPC C.R. No. 639 of indicates seniority to SLP Arising 1991. be determined later out ofW.A. C/l ...... ....... z Zo ::r: ::r: >~ " . ....... ~ ......... ::r: ....., tTl No. 386/03) No order as to :s:: At serial no. retrospective 35 of the seniority IJ:I > seniority list The High Court relied on order C/l ...... z Q ::r: passed in C.R. ' No. 132/1990 wherein the high court had """' """' -.J 0 0 granted regularization along with seniority. This order was challenged in a review petition by the Direct Recruits and the order has been modified to the extent that the seniority will be determined according to ' . rules . 6. Th. 28.10.1971 30.10.1976 20.9.1985 Retrospective Government order Rupachandra AE on regular regularization regularizing the Singh Section AE on Ad hoc basis on from vide order services w.e.f. (Contesting Officer basis recommendation dated 23.1.1992 30.10.1976 explicitly Respondent Grade I ofDPC in C.R. No. indicates seniority to No. 1 in SLP DOB 2372 of 1990 be determined later. Arising out 1.11.48 No order as to ofW.A. No. retrospective 385/03) At seniority serial no. 59 of the seniority list • 17. There are four promotees whose claim to seniority has been rejected by the High Court. SL. Name of the Date of Date of Ad hoc Date of High Court. Violations No. promotee appointment appointment regular/officiating order by which appointment regularized I. R.K. 25. 7.1980 6.5.1983 20.9.1985 Retrospective - Admittedly the Mobisana Section AE on ad hoc AEon regularization promotion was dehors (Degree Officer basis officiating w.e.f. 26.7.1983 the R.R.s ; there was holder) Grade I basis on under the no selection process (Petitioner (DOB recommendation relevant R.R. conducted by the in SLP(C) 1.3.56) ofDPC vide order dated DPC No. 20724 3.3.2000 in - Became eligible for· of 2005) W.P.(C) No. 188 promotion only after of 2000 three years from· the At serial no. date of appointment 64 in the High Court i.e. on 25. 7.1983 but seniority list order was promoted on ad specifically hoc basis on6.5.1983, states his much earlier to his regularisation eligibility date. shall be counted for the purpose of retrial or pensionary benefits and oeniority to be determined 0 according to rules. Government order regularizing the services explicitly indicates it is for retrial and pensionary benefits. Seniority to be determined later 2. M. 25.7.1980 26.7.1983 20.09.1985 - Admittedly the HemantakuSection AE on ad hoc AE on regular promotion was dehors mar Officer basis basis on the R.R.s.; there was (Degree Grade I recommendation no selection process holder) (DOB ofDPC conducted by the DPC (Petitioner 1.3.53) in SLP(C) No. 20725 of 2005) At serial number 45 in senioritv f '· list 3. Th. 25.7.1980 6.5.1983 -Admittedly the Shantikumar Section A.E. on Ad promotion wasdehors Singh Officer hoc basis the R.R.s; there was :::0 ~ ~ 0 t:l:1 (Degree Grade I no selection process holder) conducted by the DPC - [/} > z > - Became eligible for promotion only after three years from the date of appointment ~ [/} [/} - zZ ::r::Q > ::r:: . ~ i.e. on 25. 7.1983 but was promoted on ad :--< ~ ~ ::r:: hoc basis on 6.5.1983, ....., much earlier to his tT:1 eligibility date ~ t:l:1 4. Mongjam 14.11.1969 25.2.1981 - Admittedly the Budhi Section A.E. on Ad promotion was dehors > [/} - Singh Officer hoc basis the R.R.s; there was (Diploma Grade I no selection process Holder) conducted by the DPC z Q ::r:: . .!:>- Vl . ..... 452 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2007] 13 (Addi.) S.C.R. A 18. Out of the aforementioned four persons, only R.K. Mobisana and N. Hemantakumar both of whom are degree holders are before us, but the other two promotees namely Th. Shantikumar Singh and Mongjam Budhi Singh have not filed any special leave petition. 19. Submissions of the aforementioned two appellants whose writ B petitions have been dismissed and the other promotee respondents before us are as under : (i) They having been promoted against vacancies arising in the year 1985 in the promotee quota and their services having . c been regularized with retrospective effect and not by way of stop gap employment, their seniority should be considered in the light of the proposition 'B' contained in the judgment of this Court in Direct Recruit Class II Engineering Officers' Association v. State of Maharashtra and Ors., [1990] 2 n sec 715J. E F G H (ii) The recruitment rules having not contained any prohibition on grant of regularisation with retrospective effect and in any event the same being permissible inter alia, in terms of the decision of this Court in Sura} Prakash Gupta and Ors. v. State of J&K and Ors., [2000] 7 SCC 561, the first judgment of the High Court should not be interfered therewith. The promotees were therefore, entitled to seniority with effect from 26.7.1983 i.e. from the date from which their services were regularized with retrospective effect by orders passed in their favour by the Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench from time to time. (rii) So far as the second judgment of the Gauhati High Court is concerned, the same does not lay down the correct law being contrary to and inconsistent with the principles laid down by this Court in Direct Recruit (supra), State of West Bengal v. Aghore Nath Dey, [1993] 3 SCC 371 and Sura} Prakash (supra). (iv) The learned Single Judge, in any event, having directed examination of the matter by a fact finding body upon proper )' R.K. MOBISANA SINGH v. KH. TEMBA SINGH 453 [SINHA, J.] application of mind and determination of seniority having regard A to the decisions of this Court, the same deserves to be affinned. 20. Mr. L.N. Rao, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the direct recruits, on the other hand, would submit that the promotees were not B entitled to seniority from the date of their ad hoc promotion for the _1 following reasons; (i) Ad hoc promotions were found to have been made in violation of the Recruitment Rules. (ii) The procedure prescribed for grant of regular promotion had C not been followed. (1ii) Some of the promotees did not fulfil the requisite eligibility criteria prescribed by the rules. (iv) The orders passed by the High Court directing regularisation D with retrospective effect did not confer on them any consequential seniority. (v) Some judgment of the High Court giving consequential seniority were reviewed in favour of the direct recruits. (vi) There is no rule which enables the Government to give seniority with retrospective effect to the promotees. E (vii) The Direct Recruits cannot be foand fault with for non questioning of the orders of regularization in favour of the promotees as they, in stricto sensu, did not have the locus F standi therefor, until the decision to confer consequential seniority which adversely affected their rights was taken by the competent authority. (viii) All High Court orders granting regularization were silent on G seniority. (ix) The consequent orders of the Government regularizing the services specifically stated that the seniority shall be determined later. This order was not challenged by the promotees. H 454 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007) 13 (Addi.) S.C.R. A (x) In three cases where the High Court granted seniority, review petitions were filed by the Direct recruits and the order was modified stating that the seniority will be determined according to rules and as these review orders have become final, any sub mission made contrary thereto should not be permitted to B be raised. (xi) Had there been any mention of seniority in any of the High Court orders referred to in the judgment of the Division Bench, the Direct recruits could have challenged the same. C (xii) Their exists no rule which enabled the Government to grant D seniority with retrospective effect. 21. These matters clearly demonstrate as to how complications arise in the matter of determination of inter se seniority because of absence of specific rules made in this behalf. 22. We may, however, at the outset notice that meeting of the Departmental Promotion Committee had not been convened in terms of the extant rules. 23. We have noticed hereinbefore that there are various recruitment E Rules which are applicable in respect of recruitment or the promotions. We will take a brief survey of the said Rules which may be held to be applicable as orders of promotion have been passed on various days. 24. Under the Recruitment Rules, 1969, the method of recruitment F prescribed for the post of A.E. is: "--50 % by direct recruitment from the open market and; --50 % by promotion from amongst the Section Officers (Civil) who had rendered 2 years of regular service in the grade after G appointment on regular basis in case of Degree holders and 5 years service in grade after appointment on regular basis in cases of Diploma holders." 25. Under the Recruitment Rules, 1975 the method of recruitment H prescribed is: R.K. MOBISANA SINGH v. KH. TEMBA SINGH 455 [SINHA, J.] "-40% of the overall sanctioned strength by direct recruitment. A -60% of the overall sanctioned strength by promotion. This is to be filled up in the sub-quota as under: (!) 50% sub-quota by selection from amongst the 3 years course Diploma holder (Civil/Mechanical) with 8 years regular service B as S.O. Grade I or a post declared by the Government to be equivalent post. (ii) 40% sub-quota by selection from amongst the graduate Engineer (Civil/Mechanical) who have rendered 3 years regular service as S.O. Grade I or in a post declared by the C Government to be equivalent. (Iii) I 0% sub-quota by selection from amongst non Graduate, non Diploma S.O. Grade I who has rendered 12 years continuous regular service." 26. Under the Recruitment Rules, 1984, the method of recruitment prescribed is; "-40% by Direct recruitment from the open market. D -60% by promotion which is to be filled up under the following E sub quota: (!) 50% by selection from amongst the Engineering Degree holders who have rendered a minimum of 3 years regular service as S.O. Grade I as equivalent Post. F Provided that is sufficient number of Degree holders are not available, the vacancies may be filled up by Diploma holders with 8 years regular service as S.O. Grade-I. (ii) 50% by selection from amongst the Engineering Diploma G Holders of3 years course with 8 years regular service as S.O. Grade I or non Degree/non Diploma holders with 15 years outstanding record as S.O. Grade I. 27. However, admittedly there does not exist any rule for determination of inter se seniority. H 456 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 13 (Addi.) S.C.R. A They were governed by some office memorandums. An Office B c D E F G H Memorandum was issued on 22.12.1959 providing for general principles for determination of seniority in the general services wherein inter alia it was stated; "5. Promotees: (i) The relative seniority of persons promoted to the various grades shall be determined in the order of their selection for such promotions; Provided that where persons recruited initially on temporary basis are confirmed subsequently in an order different from the order of merit indicated at the time of their promotion, seniority shall follow the order of confirmation and not the original order of merit. (ii) Where promotion to a grade are made from more than one grade the eligible persons shall be arranged in separate lists in the order of their relative seniority in their respective grades. Thereafter, the Departmental Promotion Committee shal) select the persons for promotion from each list upon tl1e prescribed quota and arrange all the candidates selected from different lists in a consolidated order of merit which will determine the seniority of the persons on promotion to the higher grade. Note: If separate quotas for promotion have not already been prescribed in relevant recruitment rules, the Ministries/Departments may do so now, in consultation with the Commission wherever necessary. 6. Relative Seniority of Direct: Recruits and promotees. The relative seniority of direct recruits and of promotees shall be determined according to the rotation of vacancies between direct recruits and promotees which shall be based on the quotas of vacancies reserved for direct recruitment and promotion respectively in the Recruitment Rules." 28. The legal principles governing determination of inter se seniority is no longer res-integra. The question came up for consideration before a Constitution Bench ofthis Comi in the Direct recruit (supra) wherein \. -.) R.K. MOBISANA SINGH v. KH. TEMBA SINGH [SINHA, J.] the following criteria were laid down; 457 "(A) Once an incumbent is appointed to a post according to ruie, his seniority has to be counted from the date of his appointment and not according to the date of his confirmation. The corollary of the above rule is that where the initial appointment is only ad hoc and not according to rules and made as a stop-gap arrangement, the officiation in such post cannot be taken into account for considering the seniority. (B) If the initial appointment is not made by following the procedure . laid down by the rules but the appointee continues in the post uninterruptedly till the regularisation of his service in accordance with the rules, the period of officiating service will be counted. (C) When appointments are made from more than one source, it is permissible to fix the ratio for recruitment from the different sources, and if rules are framed in this regard they must ordinarily be followed strictly. (D) If it becomes impossible to adhere to the existing quota rule, it should be substituted by an appropriate rule to meet the needs of the situation. In case, however, the quota rule is not followed continuously for a number of years recause it was impossible to do so the inference is irresistible that the quota rule had broken down. (F) Where the rules permit the authorities to relax the provisions relating to the quota, ordinarily a presumption should be raised that there was such relaxation when there is a deviation from the quota rule. (H) If the quota rule is prescribed by an executive instruction, and is not followed continuously for a number of years, the inference is that the executive instruction has ceased to remain operative.'.' 29. Inter se seniority between the parties keeping in view the peculiar fact situation obtaining herein is required to be considered. Before applying A B c D E F G H 458 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2007] 13 (Addi.) S.C.R. A the principles laid down therein to the fact of this case, we may notice a few other decisions of this Court B c D E F G H 30. In Sura} Prakash Gupta v. State of J& K & Ors., (2000] 7 SCC 561, the Rule which was applicable therein was as under:- "53. Then comes the rule of "seniority". Seniority is to be determined by the "date of first appointment" to such Service, class or category or grade. It reads as follows: "24. Seniority- (1) The seniority of a pers~n who is subject to these Rules has reference to the service, class, category and grade with reference to which the question has arisen. Such seniority shall be determined by the date of first appointment to such service, class, category or grade, as the case may be. Note 1. - Interpretation - The words 'date of first appointment' occurring in the above Rule will mean the date of first substantive appointment, meaning thereby the date of permanent appointment or the date of first appointment on probation on a clear vacancy, confirmation in the latter case being subject to good work and conduct and/or passing of any examination or examinations and/ or tests: Provided that the inter se seniority of two or more persons appointed to the same service, class, category or grade simultaneously, will, notwithstanding the fact that they may assume the duties of their appointments on different dates by reason of being posted to different stations, be determined: (a) in the case of those promoted by their relative seniority in the lower service, class, category or grade; (b) in the case of those recruited direct (except those who do not join their duties when vacancies are offered to them) according to the positions attained by and assigned to them in order of merit at the time of competitive examinations or on the basis of merit j R.K. MOBISANA SINGH v. KH. TEMBA SINGH 459 [SINHA, J.] and ability and physical fitness etc., in case no such examination is A held for the purpose of making selections; (c) as between those promoted and recruited direct, by the order in which appointments have to be allocated for promotion and direct recruitment as prescribed by the Rules. Note.