IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Letters Patent Appeal No.1878 of 2010
In
(CIVIL WRIT JURISDICTION CASE 3876/2010)
1. The N.T.P.C.Kahalgaon through Its General Manager, Kahalgaon,
Bhagalpur
2. The General Manager N.T.P.C, Kahalgaon, Bhagalpur
3. Shri G.C. Sarkar, Senior Officer, Human Resource Department,
N.T.P.C, Kahalgaon, Bhagalpur ...Appellants
Versus
1. Nakul Das S/O Sri Chhathu Harijan @ Chhathu Das R/O Vill.-
Bholsar, P.O. & P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
2. Md. Saiful Islam S/O Late Md. Abul Hussain R/O Vill.- Chandpur,
P.O. & P.S.- Rasahalpur, Distt.- Bhagalpur
3. The Union of India through Its Secretary, Ministry of Human
Resources Department Govt. Of India, New Delhi ....Respondents
----------------------------------
With
Letters Patent Appeal No.1860 of 2010
IN
(CIVIL WRIT JURISDICTION CASE 3876/2010)
1. Pramod Kumar Mandal S/O Chintamani Mandal R/O Vill.:Ogri, P.O.
Maheshamunda, P.S. Kahalgaon, Distt.: Bhagalpur.
2. Prasant Kumar Mishra S/O Shri Pream Shankar Mishra R/O
Vill.:Khuvad Gali, P.O.Begampur, Distt.:Patna.
3. Santosh Kumar S/O Yogendra Paswan R/O Vill.:Sundarpur, P.O.
Maheshmunda, P.S. Kahalgaon, Distt.: Bhagalpur.
4. Raghunandan Kumar S/O Sri Ram Yadav R/O Vill.:Brahamchari,
P.O.Lagma Hat, P.S.Kahalgaon, Distt.Bhagalpur.
5. Manoj Kumar Mishra S/O Shri Parmanand Mishra R/O
Vill.:Brahamchari, P.O.Lagma Hat, P.S.Kahalgaon, Distt.Bhagalpur.
6. Jitendra Kumar Mishra S/O Sri Anirudh Kuma Mishra R/O
Vill.:Brahamchari, P.O.Lagma Hat, P.S. Kahalgaon, Distt. Bhagalpur.
7. Awadh Bihari Singh S/O Sri Ram Singh R/O Vill.:Brahamchari,
P.O.Lagma Hat, P.S.Kahalgaon, Distt.Bhagalpur.
8. Mithilesh Kumar Mishra S/O Narayan Mishra R/O Vill.:Brahamchari,
P.O.Lagma Hat, P.S.Kahalgaon, Distt.Bhagalpur.
9. Ritesh Kumar Bharti S/O Narendra Prasad R/O Vill.:Brahamchari,
P.O.Lagma Hat, P.S.Kahalgaon, Distt.Bhagalpur.
10. Syed Afjal Hussain S/O Syed Sadamat Hussain R/O Vill.:Chandpur,
P.O.Ekchari, P.S. Kahalgaon, Distt. Bhagalpur.
11. Rana Pratap S/O Ram Prasad Singh R/O Vill.:Chakraju, P.O.Ekchari,
P.S.Kahalgaon, Distt.Bhagalpur.
12. Amresh Kumar S/O Anirudh Prasad R/O Vill.:Bholsar, P.O.Ekchari,
P.S.Kahalgaon, Distt.Bhagalpur.
13. Pawan Kumar Kushwaha S/O Harideo Singh R/O Vill.:Chakraju,
P.O.Ekchari, P.S.Kahalgaon, Distt.Bhagalpur.
14. Rajesh Prasad Pal S/O Maheshwari Pal R/O Vill.:Pal Nagar,
P.O.Shobhnathpur, P.S. Kahalgaon, Distt. Bhagalpur.
2
15. Raj Kumar Yadav S/O Sadanand Yadav R/O Vill.:Banshipur,
P.O.Shobhnathpur, P.S.Kahalgaon, Distt.Bhagalpur.
16. Jantul Kumar Singh S/O Jagdish Singh R/O Vill.:Bholsar,
P.O.Ekchari, P.S.Kahalgaon, Distt.Bhagalpur.
17. Lalan Kumar Sah S/O Pramod Prasad Sah R/O Vill.:Ekchari,
P.O.Ekchari, P.S.Kahalgaon, Distt.Bhagalpur.
18. Umakant Singh S/O Narsingh Prasad Singh R/O Vill.:Bholsar,
P.O.Ekchari, P.S.Kahalgaon, Distt.Bhagalpur.
19. Imtyaj Ahmad S/O Ahmad Ali R/O Vill.:Mogalpura, P.O.Mirjan Hat,
Distt.:Bhagalpur.
20. Ashish Kumar S/O Bundeli Singh R/O Vill.:Bholsar, P.O.Ekchari,
P.S.Kahalgaon, Distt.Bhagalpur.
21. Pintu Kumar Yadav S/O Sakaldip Prasad Yadav R/O Vill.:Jamunia
Tola, P.O. Lalpur Bhader, P.S.Kahalgaon, Distt.Bhagalpur.
22. Manoj Kumar Yadav S/O Sakaldip Prasad Yadav R/O Vill.:Ekchari,
P.O.Ekchari, P.S.Kahalgaon, Distt.Bhagalpur. ….Appellants
Versus
1. Nakul Das S/O Chhathu Harijan @ Chhathu Das R/O Vill.:Bholsar,
P.O. & P.S. Kahalgaon, Distt. Bhagalpur.
2. Md. Saiful Islam S/O Late Md. Abdul Hussain R/O Vill.:Chandpur,
P.O. & P.S.Rasahalpur, Distt.Bhagalpur.
3. The Union Of India Through Its Secretary Ministry Of Human
Resources Deptt., Govt. Of India, New Delhi.
4. The N.T.P.C. Khalgaon through Its General Manager, Kahalgaon,
Bhagalpur.
5. The General Manager, N.T.P.C. Kahalgaon, Bhagalpur.
6. Shri G.C. Sarkar, Senior Officer, Human Resources Deptt., N.T.P.C.,
Khalgaon, Bhagalpur.
7. The D.M. cum Inspector of Factories, Bhagalpur. ….Respondents
———————————-
with
Letters Patent Appeal No.1899 of 2010
IN
(CIVIL WRIT JURISDICTION CASE 12471/2010)
1. The N.T.P.C., Kahalgaon through Its General Manager, Kahalgaon,
Bhagalpur
2. The General Manager, N.T.P.C., Kahalgaon, Bhagalpur
3. Shri G.C. Sarkar, Senior Officer Human Resource Department,
N.T.P.C., Kahalgaon, Bhagalpur ….Appellants
Versus
1. Alok Kumar Ranjan S/O Sri Murli Manohar Singh R/O Vill.-
Laxmipur, Babhaniyan, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
2. Santosh Kumar Yadav S/O Sri Umesh Prasad Yadav R/O Vill.-
Madarganj, P.S.- Amdanda, Distt.- Bhagalpur
3. The Union of India through Its Secretary Ministry of Human Resources
Department, Govt. Of India, New Delhi
4. The District Magistrate-Cum-Inspector of Factories, Bhagalpur
……Respondents
3
———————————-
With
Letters Patent Appeal No.1966 of 2010
IN
(CIVIL WRIT JURISDICTION CASE 3876/2010)
1. Kumar Prakash Deep S/O Gurudeo Prasad Mandal R/O Vill.-
Kushapur, P.O.- Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
2. Yogesh Pal S/O Arjun Pal R/O Vill.- Pal Nagar, P.O.- Shobhnathpur,
P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
3. Rajendra Mandal S/O Narayan Mandal R/O Vill.- Pal Nagar, P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
4. Anup Lal Pal S/O Subodh Prasad Pal R/O Vill.- Pal Nagar, P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
5. Gautam Prasad Pal S/O Ram Bilas Pal R/O Vill.- Pal Nagar, P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
6. Gopal Bhagat S/O Manna Bhagat R/O Vill.- Pal Nagar, P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
7. Kapildeo Yadav S/O Muni Lal Yadav R/O Vill.- Bhagalpur, P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
8. Navin Kumar Pal S/O Saryug Pal R/O Vill.- English Chichroan, P.O.-
Akbar Nagar, P.S.- Akbar Nagar, Distt.- Bhagalpur
9. Ashok Kumar Jha S/O Nasib Narayan Jha R/O Vill.- B/307, Pts/Ntp,
P.O.- Kahalgaon, STP, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
10. Pawan Kumar S/O Rajendra Prasad Yadav R/O Vill.- Alampur, P.O.-
Lalpur Bhader, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
11. Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari S/O Ram Bilash Tiwari R/O Vill.-
Maheshamunda, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
12. Binod Kumar S/O Banarsi Prasad Mandal R/O Vill.- Banshipur, P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
13. Gautam Kumar Pandit S/O Sahdeo Pandit R/O Vill.- Banshipur, P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
14. Ranveer Kumar S/O Harihar Prasad Singh R/O Vill.- Banshipur, P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
15. Sanjay Kumar S/O Bhuneshwar Prasad Singh R/O Vill.- Salempur
Saine, P.O.- Nandlapur, Distt.- Bhagalpur
16. Dilip Kumar S/O Shiv Shankar Gupta R/O Vill.- Vikramshila Nagar,
P.O. + P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
17. Ranjeet Kumar S/O Muneshwar Prasad Sah R/O Vill.- Salempur
Saine, P.O.- Nandlapur, Distt.- Bhagalpur
18. Santosh Kumar Gupta S/O Baleshwar Prasad Sah R/O Vill.- Salempur
Saine, P.O.- Nandlapur, Distt.- Bhagalpur
19. Rajendra Prasad Ranjan S/O Laxman Prasad Ranjan R/O Vill.-
Harchandi, P.O.- Harchandi, Distt.- Bhagalpur
20. Ajay Kumar Mandal S/O Arjun Prasad Mandal R/O Vill.- Kushapur,
P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
21. Kavindra Kumar Singh S/O Manoranjan Singh R/O Vill.-
Shobhnathpur, P.O.- Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
22. Mukesh Kumar Singh S/O Hem Shankar Singh R/O Vill. + P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
23. Rajesh Chandra Singh S/O Durga Prasad Singh R/O Vill. + P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
4
24. Ramdhani Yadav S/O Hira Yadav R/O Vill.- Kharwa Tola, P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
25. Kumar Vikram S/O Kaushal Kishore Singh R/O Vill. + P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
26. Bibhuti Bhushan Singh S/O Mohan Prasad Singh R/O Vill. + P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
27. Sant Lal Yadav S/O Ganesh Yadav R/O Vill.- Kharwa Tola, P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
28. Shiv Kumar Yadav S/O Gajadhar Yadav R/O Vill.- Bhagalpur, P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
29. Prem Kumar Singh S/O Uchit Kumar Singh R/O Vill. + P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
30. Raj Ballav Kumar Singh S/O Pradeep Narayan Singh R/O Vill. +
P.O.- Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
31. Uttam Kumar Yadav S/O Sadanand Yadav R/O Vill.- Banshipur,
P.O.- Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
32. Arun Kumar Singh S/O Jayram Pd. Singh R/O Vill.- Masdaha, P.O.-
Shanker, P.S.- Shanker, Distt.- Bhagalpur
33. Panchu Prasad Singh S/O Prasadi Singh R/O Vill.- Bholsar, P.O.-
Ekchari, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
34. Rajesh Paswan S/O Ramdas Paswan R/O Vill.- Ekchari, P.O.-
Ekchari, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
35. Rajiv Kumar Ranjan S/O Awadhesh Prasad Singh R/O Vill.- Ekchari,
P.O.- Ekchari, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
36. Raghunath Singh S/O Sri Mant Lal Singh R/O Vill.- Bholsar, P.O.-
Ekchari, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
37. Prakash Singh S/O Tarni Singh R/O Vill.- Bholsar, P.O.- Ekchari,
P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
38. Niranjan Kumar Singh S/O Ram Charan Singh R/O Vill.- Bholsar,
P.O.- Ekchari, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
39. Ratnesh Kumar S/O Jaldhar Prasad Singh R/O Vill.- Kushapur, P.O.-
Shobhnathpur, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
40. Bipin Kumar S/O Banke Prasad Yadav R/O Vill.- Jamunia Tola, P.O.-
Lalapur Bhader, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
41. Dilip Paswan S/O Bhuwan Paswan R/O Vill.- Sundarpur, P.O.-
Maheshamunda, Distt.- Kahalgaon
42. Kaushal Kishore Verma S/O Brajesh Prasad Verma R/O Vill.-
Khutahari, P.S.- Lalapur Bhader, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
43. Ratan Kumar S/O Yogesh Prasad Verma R/O Vill.- Khutahari, P.S.-
Lalapur Bhader, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
44. Shankar Kumar Mandal S/O Radha Shyam Mandal R/O Vill.- Ogri,
P.O.- Maheshamunda, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
45. Prabhash Kumar Shukla S/O Siyaram Shukla R/O Vill. + P.O.-
Maheshamunda, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
46. Prashant Kumar S/O Anandi Prasad Yadav R/O Vill.- Ogri, P.O.-
Maheshamunda, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
47. Amrendra Kumar Mishra S/O Ram Lal Mishra R/O Vill.- B/20, Ntpc
Pts, P.O.- Kahalgaon, Stp, Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
48. Ram Deo Mandal S/O Chun Chun Mandal R/O Vill.- Sakrama, P.O.-
Sakrama, Distt.- Bhagalpur
49. Rajesh Kumar S/O Hardeo Singh R/O Vill.- Chakraju, P.S.- Ekchari,
5
P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
50. Amit Kumar S/O Dayanand Singh R/O Vill.- Chakraju, P.O.- Ekchari,
P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
51. Mritunjay Kumar S/O Mahendra Prasad Singh R/O Vill.- Chakraj,
P.O.- Ekchari, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
52. Suraj Kumar Suraj S/O Jagdish Prasad Sah R/O Vill.- Ekchari, P.O.-
Ekchari, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
53. Bhupendra Narayan Singh S/O Murlidhar Singh R/O Vill.- Babhania,
P.O.- Lakshmipur, Distt.- Bhagalpur
54. Sunil Kumar Choudhary S/O Kapildeo Choudhary R/O Vill.-
Shyampur, P.S.- Lalapur Bhader, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
55. Devendra Sah S/O Thakur Sah R/O Vill.- Kalgiganj, P.O.- Kalgiganj,
P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
56. Ashok Kumar Saha S/O Late Indra Deo Sah R/O Vill.- Shyampur,
P.S.- Lalapur Bhader, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
57. Subhash Chandra Pal S/O Vijay Chandra Pal R/O Vill.- Shyampur,
P.S.- Lalapur Bhader, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
58. Yogesh Kumar Sah S/O Late Raj Kumar Sah R/O Vill.- Shyampur,
P.S.- Lalapur Bhader, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
59. Ranveer Kumar S/O Gajadhar Mandal R/O Vill.- Kalgiganj, P.O.-
Kalgiganj, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
60. Sujit Kumar S/O Rajendra Prasad Mandal R/O Vill.- Kalgiganj, P.O.-
Kalgiganj, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
61. Raj Kumar S/O Yadunandan Prasad Gupta R/O Vill.- Jagdish
Bhawan, P.O.- Kahalgaon, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
62. Sanjay Kumar Mishra S/O Vyas Chandra Mishra R/O Vill.-
Shahichak, P.O.- Belbadda, Distt.- Godda
63. Nandan Kumar S/O Ramadhar Mahto R/O Vill.- Belbadda, P.O.-
Belbadda, Distt.- Godda
64. Awadhesh Prasad Gupta S/O Lakshman Prasad Gupta R/O Vill.-
Ramgarh, P.O.- Ramgarh, Distt.- Dumka
65. Sunil Kumar S/O Ambika Prasad R/O Vill.- Belbadda, P.O.-
Belbadda, Distt.- Godda
66. Shayam Kumar Sinha S/O Billo Prasad Mandal R/O Vill.- Ogri, P.O.-
Maheshmunda, P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur ……Appellants
Versus
1. Nakul Das S/O Chhathu Harijan @ Chhathu Das R/O Vill.- Bholsar,
P.O. & P.S.- Kahalgaon, Distt.- Bhagalpur
2. Md. Saiful Islam S/O Late Md. Abul Hussain R/O Vill.- Chandpur,
P.O. & P.S.- Rasahalpur, Distt.- Bhagalpur
3. The Union of India through Its Secretary Ministry of Human Resources
Department, Govt. Of India, New Delhi
4. The N.T.P.C., Kahalgal through Its General Manager, Kahalgaon,
Bhagalpur
5. The General Manager, N.T.P.C., Kahalgaon, Bhagalpur
6. Shri G.C. Sarkar, Senior Officer Human Resource Department,
N.T.P.C., Kahalgaon, Bhagalpur
7. The District Magistrate cum Instructor of Factory, Bhagalpur
…..Respondents
———————————-
6
With
Letters Patent Appeal No.133 of 2011
IN
(CIVIL WRIT JURISDICTION CASE 3876/2010)
1. Ajay Kumar Yadav son of Chhote Lal Yadav, resident of village –
Narayanpur, P.O. Nandlalpur, P.S. Kahalgaon, District Bhagalpur
2. Niranjan Prasad Yadav son of Jaldhar Yadav, resident of village
Bhagalpura, P.O. Shobhnathpur, P.S. Kahalgaon, District Bhagalpur
3. Janata Pal son of Shiv Narayan Pal, resident of village Palnagar, P.O.
Shobhnathpur, P.S. Kahalgaon, District Bhagalpur
4. Vijay Kumar son of Arjun Mandal, resident of village Kushapur, P.O.
Shobhnathpur, P.S. Kahalgaon, District Bhagalpur
5. Vijay Kumar, son of Yogendra Prasad, resident of village and P.O.
Ekchari (Masudanpur), District- Bhagalpur ….Appellants
Versus
1. Nakul Das s/o Chhathu Harijan @ Chhathu Das, resident of village –
Bholsar, PO & PS Kahalgaon District Bhagalpur
2. Md. Saiful Islam s/o Late Md. Abdul Hussain, resident of village
Chandpur, PO & PS- Rashalpur, District Bhagalpur
3. The Union of India through its Secretary, Ministry of Human
Resources Department, Government of India, New Delhi
4. The N.T.P.C. Kahalgaon through its General Manager, Kahalgaon,
Bhagalpur
5. The General Manager, NTPC, Kahalgaon, Bhagalpur
6. Shri G. C. Sarkar, Senior Officer, Human Resources Department,
NTPC, Bhagalpur
7. The D.M cum Inspector of Factories, Bhagalpur …Respondents
———————————-
For the Appellants (LPA no. 1860/2010): Kumar Ravish, advocate
For the Respondents: Mr. S. M. Shabbir Alam, advocate
For the Appellants (LPA no. 1966/2010): Mr. Rajendra Prasad Singh, Sr.
advocate with Mr. Ramakant Singh and Mr. Onkar Kumar, advocates
For the Appellants (LPA no. 1878/2010): Mr. Chitranjan Sinha, Sr.
advocate and Mr. Anil Kumar Sinha, advocate
For the Respondents: Mr. Ramakant Sharma, Sr. advocate
For the Appellants (LPA no. 1899/2010): Mr. Chitranjan Sinha, Sr.
advocate and Mr. Anil Kumar Sinha, advocate
For the Respondents: Mr. Raghib Ahsan, Sr advocate
For the Appellants (LPA no. 133/2011): Mr. Yugal Kishore, Sr. advocate
and Mr. Arjun Prasad No.1 advocate
For the Respondents: Mr. S. M. Shabbir Alam, advocate
————————
4 12-09-2011 Heard the parties.
2. The writ petitioners are belonging to both
the groups, some are from the family of land oustees,
7
that is, those whose lands were acquired by the State
for National Thermal Power Corporation Limited
(NTPC for brevity) for establishing Kahalgaon
Thermal Power project, and some are outsiders. They
are aggrieved by selection and appointment of 101
persons in W/3 grade posts.
3. The writ court has interfered with
selection and appointment on two grounds. Firstly, on
the ground that the method for calling applications was
only through employment exchange which in the
opinion of the writ court was not sufficiently fair and
should have been through newspaper advertisement
also. Secondly, the plea of the writ petitioners that
there should not have been 100 % reservation in favour
of land oustees has also found favour with the writ
court.
4. Learned counsel for the NTPC submitted
that pursuant to policy for accommodating land oustees
framed in the year 1986, earlier recruitment was made
through employment exchange only and hence, the
impugned selection process was also through
8
employment exchange. It was further submitted that
policy itself permits filling up posts of settlees through
employment exchange also. Same stand has been taken
on behalf of the appointees whose appointments have
been challenged by the writ petitioners.
5. Learned counsels for the NTPC as well
as the appointees have also questioned the decision of
the writ court on the ground of reservation up to 100 %
as not being permissible. It has been submitted that the
posts available in the present instance have been
earmarked only for land oustees on the
recommendation of a Committee of Parliament by way
of special drive so that the local people whose lands
were acquired may not feel dissatisfied and may not
unnecessarily attempt to interrupt the work of the
NTPC. It was pointed out that 100% reservation or any
reservation beyond 50% is not permitted on account of
judgements of the Supreme Court which have clarified
that under Article 16 (4) of the Constitution of India
inadequacy of representation can be a good ground for
providing reservation only up to 50%. In the present
9
case, it was pointed out that the issue of reservation
under Article 16 is not involved at all and the only
issue to be seen is whether the land oustees constitute a
special class for whom special policy can be envisaged
and implemented.
6. Learned counsels for the writ petitioners
have supported the judgement of the writ court on both
the aforesaid issues.
7. Having considered the rival submissions
as well as the main issue involved in these cases, we
are of the considered view that the writ court has
correctly held that in absence of newspaper
advertisement, the requirement of notice to all eligible
persons will not be fully satisfied. This view has been
supported by the judgement of the Supreme Court in
the case of Excise Superintendent, Malkapatnam Vs.
K. B. N. Vishweshwara Rao (1996) 6 SCC 216. In
that judgement the Supreme Court held that restricting
the selection only to the candidates sponsored by
employment exchange was not proper; in addition to
requisitioning the names from employment exchange,
10
names should also be called for by publication in
newspapers or, if required, even by announcing on
radio and television etc. The special category of land
oustees, after a lapse of 25 years, may be scattered
even outside the district of Bhagalpur and, hence, in
our view, in the facts of the case, requisition only
through employment exchange was not sufficient. The
direction of the writ court to NTPC to give opportunity
to other eligible persons by advertisement in
newspapers, in our view, is in accordance with
requirements of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution
of India. Hence, we uphold that part of the judgement
of the writ court.
8. So far as issue of limiting the available
101 vacancies only to 50 % for land oustees is
concerned, we find sufficient merit in the submissions
advanced on behalf of NTPC and the appointees that
the policy decision to give opportunity of employment
to eligible land oustees in respect of presently available
101 vacancies does not amount to reservation in terms
of Article 16 (4) of the Constitution of India. It is a
11
policy decision in order to compensate for the loss
which the land oustees have suffered and, hence, they
are clearly a special class for which a special policy
decision can be formulated. Such policy decision, in
our view, cannot be treated as reservation on the lines
of reservation provided to backward classes on account
of non representation in a particular service. Hence, in
our view, restriction of 50% by treating the policy to be
a policy of reservation is not applicable and not
justified. Hence, this decision of the writ court on this
issue is set aside. As a result the NTPC will be entitled
to issue further advertisement in newspapers so as to
give opportunity of making applications to eligible
land oustees for filling up 101 posts of W/3 grade as
per prevailing practice and policy meant for land
oustees. This exercise should be done expeditiously,
preferably, within four months. Cases of those who
were earlier appointed but whose selection and
appointments have been declared illegal, shall also be
considered afresh in accordance with law along with
those who may apply in response to newspaper
12
advertisements.
The judgement and order under appeal is
modified to aforesaid extent. All the appeals are
disposed of accordingly.
(Shiva Kirti Singh, J.)
(Shivaji Pandey, J.)
BKS/-