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Supreme Court of India

STATE OF ORISSA AND ORS. ETC.versusSUKANTI MOHAPATRA AND ORS. ETC.

Citation
1993 INSC 106
Decided
19 March 1993
Disposal
Disposed off

Holding

Rule 14 cannot be employed to regularise illegal appointments nor to alter the seniority of regular recruits; regularisation may be upheld on equitable grounds but seniority of regular appointees remains unaffected.

Summary

The Orissa Ministerial Service Rules, 1975 required recruitment of Lower Division Assistants through competitive exams, but many were appointed without complying with the rules and later regularised by government orders invoking Rule 14. The appellants challenged the regularisation and the seniority ranking that placed some irregular appointees above regular recruits. The Supreme Court held that Rule 14 permits relaxation of specific provisions for a class of persons in public interest, but does not empower the government to regularise illegal appointments or overturn the seniority scheme. The Court found that the orders lacked the requisite written public‑interest justification and therefore could not displace the seniority of regularly appointed candidates. While the Court upheld the regularisation on equitable grounds under Article 162, it clarified that regular appointees remain senior to the irregular appointees. Consequently, all appeals were dismissed.

Issues considered

  • Whether Rule 14 of the Orissa Ministerial Service Rules can be used to regularise appointments made outside the prescribed recruitment procedure.
  • Whether irregular appointees whose services were regularised under Rule 14 can be placed senior to regular appointees on the basis of length of service.
  • Whether the government orders invoking Rule 14 satisfied the statutory requirement of public interest and written reasons.
  • Whether the Administrative Tribunal correctly interpreted Rule 14 and the seniority provisions.
  • Whether the Tribunal applied the correct limitation provision of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985.

Legislation cited

Subjects

service lawrelaxationregularisationseniorityadministrative tribunalpublic interestconstitutional lawArticle 14Article 309Article 162

Judgment

    ''-·




      ~-                        STATE OF ORISSA AND ORS. ETC.                                   A
                                              v.
                              SUKANTI MOHAPATRA AND ORS. ETC.

                                            MARCH 19, 1993

                              [A.M. AHMADI AND M.M. PUNCHHI, JJ.]                               B
       ~

                      Se!Vice Law :

                       Orissa Mi11isterial Se!Vice (Method and Recruitment to Posts of Lower
                Divisio11 Assista11ts in the Offices of Heads of Department) Rules, 1975:       c
                      Rules 13 & 14--Appointment by Relaxation-Candidates appointed
     --,,       without following the relevant rules-Regularisation of such irregular appoin-
                tees-Effect of-:lnte1"Se seniority-Fixation of-Whether the irregular appoin-
                tees subsequently regularised can be placed above the regular appointees on
                the basis of total length of se1Vice.                                         D

                      The Orissa Ministerial Service (Method and Recruitment !t1 Posts
                of Lower Division Assistants in the Offices of Heads of Department)
                Rules, 1975 (the Rules) came into force with effect from 1.1.1976. Rule 3
                thereof provided that recruitment to the said posts should be made by
           x                                                                                    E
                _means of a competitive examin!ltion to he held once in every year. Rule
                8(b) p_rescribed the minimum educational qualification as Intermediate in
                Arts/Science/Commerce. Rule 14 provided for relaxation of the provisions
                in respect of any class or category of persons in public interest. Rule 13
                proviMd for the relative seniority of candidates with reference to the
                position in the competitive exa_mination. A proviso came to be added to         F
                Rule 13 'that those appointed by relaxation under Rule 14 would rank
      "         below the validly recruited candidates.

                      A large number of persons came to be recruited without resort to
                competitive examination. Many of them did not possess the minimum
                                                                                       G
                qualification. Their appointments were made by resorting to relaxation
                under Rule 14. Subsequently their services were regularised.
           y'
                      The orders of regularisation and fixing of relative seniority were
                challenged before the Administrative Tribunal. The Tribunal observed
                that the po,ver to relax can:not be resorted to regularise irregular appoint-   H
'                                                    505
                                                                                          -,../

                                                                                                  j

    506                  SUPREME COURT REPORTS                  (1993) 2 S.C.R.                       •
    ments. However, in view of the lapse of time, it felt that quashing of           .....
                                                                                                  '
A
    regularisation would result in loss of livelihood to the irregular recruits,
    and so it did not strike down the regularisation order. As. regards                           ,~
    seniority, the Tribnnal ordered that the regular appointees would be                          ,...
    senior to the irregular appointees.

B         Against the orders of the Tribunal the irregular appointees as also        ~
    the State Government preferred appeals before this Court.

          Disposing of the appeals, this Court,

c         HELD : 1.1 . Rule 14 of the Rules empowers the Government to
    relax any rule or rules in public interest for any class or category of                       ~


    persons for reasons to be stated in writing. However, it is clear from the                    '
    two orders that the regularisation was made for individuals specified in         -<
    the orders who had made representations and not for any class or
    category of persons. It is true that the persons named in the orders were
D   irregular appointees but the orders do not say that all irregular appoin- -
    tees will stand regularised under the said orders. [512E-F]

         1.2. The first order of January 3, 1985 says that regularisation .is
  being permitted on compassionate grounds, which would depend on the                             li
E fact-situation of each appointee. The subsequent order of February 14,           .:>.           '
  1985, does not even pretend to state that the action is in public interest.
  It is totally silent on this point. The essential requirement i.e. the


                                                                                             -
  condition precedent for the exercise of power under Rule 14, namely,
  public interest, is not shown to have been satisfied. Rule 14 permits
  relaxation of "any of the provisions of the rules" but it does not speak of
F regularisation. Ex-facie the two orders do not speak of any particular
  rule or rules having been relaxed but provides for regularising the               y'
  services of specified individuals whose. appointments were outside and
  inconsistent with the Rules. The reason for exercise of power in the case
  of nine appointees covered under the order of January 3, 1985 is stated
G to be "compassionate grounds" but in the case of those covered under
  the second order or February 14, 1985, no ground at all is given. Such
  orders, therefore, cannot have the protection of Rule 14 nor can the             \.,'
  appointments be regularised as having been done under the Rules so as
  to dislodge the seniority of regularly appointed persons.
H                                                            [512G-H;.513A-D]
        \_


                                  STATE OF ORISSA v. SUKANTI MOHAPATRA                       507

            _f,_             1.3. Admittedly the employees whose services are sought to be A
'                     regularised were appointed dehors the Rules. Rule 14 merely pennlts
-<                    relaxation of any of the provisions of the Rules in public interest but not
    '                 the total shelving of the Rules. The orders do not say which rule or rules
                      the Government considered necessary and expedient in public interest to
                      relax. What has been done under the impugned orders is to regularise the
i
             ;...     illegal entry into service as if the Rules were not in existence. Besides, the
                                                                                                     B
                      reasons for so doing are not set out nor is it clear how such regularisation
                      can sub-serve public interest. [515C]

    I                      1.4. Rule 14 has to be strictly construed and proper foundation must
•                   _be laid for the exercise of power under that rule. The Rules have a limited   c
                     role of play, namely, to regulate the method of recruitment, and Role 14
~
                     enables the Government to relax any of the requirements of the Rules
            "}-
    J                pertaining to recruitment. The language of Rule 14 in the context of the
                     objective of the Rules does not permit total suspension of the Rules and
                     recruitment dehors the Rules. [515D-E]
                                                                                                   D
                             1.S In the instant case, recruitments had taken place years back in
                      total disregard of the Rules and now what is sought to be done is to
                      regularise the illegal entry in exercise of power under Rule 14, which does
                      not confer. such a blanket power; its scope is limited to relaxing any rule,
              ~     . e.g., eligibility criteria, or the like, but it cannot be understood to E
                      empower Government to throw the Rules overboard. If the rule is so
                      construed it may not stand the test of Article 14 of the Constitution. The
                      proviso to Rule 13 can come into play in the matter of fixation of
        -             seniority between candidates who have successfully cleared the examina-
                      lion and a candidate who cleared the examination after availing of the F
                      benefit of relaxation. [515E-F]

            """            R.N. Narijµndappa v. T. Thimmiah and Anr., 1972 SLR 94 (AIR 1972
                      SC 1767), relied on.

                             2. The relative seniority will be worked out as directed by the G
                      Tribunal but it will not have the effect of disturbing the seniority of
              ,,,     regular appointees who will rank senior to the irregular appointees. It is
                      clarified that any benefit derived by the irregular appointees under any
                      interim orders contrary to the relief moulded by the Tribunal shall be
                      adjusted and brought in tune with the said relief. [516C-D]                H
     508                  SUPREME COURT REPORTS                  [1993] 2 S.C.R .

.A        CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No. 1347 of                   A
     1993 etc. etc.

           From the Judgment and Order dated. 23.9.1991 of the Orissa Ad·
     ministrative Tribunal, Bhubaneshwar in 0.A No. 1494 of 1990.

B        A.K. Panda, J.R. Das, P.N. Mishra, B.A. Mohanti, Ms. Aruna
     Mathur and C.S.S. Rao for the appearing parties.

           The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

           AHMADI, J. Special leave granted in S.L.Ps Nos. 18926/91 and
c 389/92. . ' .
            In exercise of power conferred by the proviso to Article' 309 of the
     Constitution of India, the Governor of Orissa ~nacted the Orissa .Milli·       "
     sterial Service (Method of Recruitment of Posts of Lower Division Assis-
D    tants in the offices of Heads of Department) Rules, 1975, (for short. 'the
     Rules') which were brought into force with effect from January 1, 1976.
     Rule 3 thereof provides that the recruitment to the said posts shall be made
     by means of a competitive examination to be held once in every year: The
     eligibility criteria is laid down in Rule 8. The minimum educational
     qualification prescribed under rule 8(b) for the said post is that the
E    candidate should have passed Intermediate in Arts/Science or Commerce
     or an equivalent qualification. Rule 13 provides that the relative seniority
     of each candidate shall be dete.nnined with reference to his position in the
     examination held in a particular year. Rule 14 deals with relaxation· and is
     in the following terms :

F            "When the Government are of opinion that it is necessary
             or expedient so to do it may by order, for reasons to be
             recorded in writing, relax any of the provisions of these
             rules in respect of any class or category of persons in
             public interest."
G
     A proviso came to be added to Rule 13 that those appointed by relaxation
     under Rule 14 shall in that year, rank below validly recruited candidates
     under Rule 3 or the first part of Rule 11 of the Rules.

           In the backdrop of these provisions the question which arises for
H consideration is whether the appointment of candidates made dehors these
                 STATE OF ORISSA v. SUKANTI MOHAPAlRA [AHMADI, J.)                         509

             rules could be 'regularised' in exercise of the power of relaxation conferred . A·
             on the Government by the aforequoted Rule 14 of the Rules; and if yes,
           " whether such irregular appointees. whose services have been regularised
             under Rule 14 could be placed above the regularly appointed incumbents
             in seniority on the basis of the length ofservice ? On a plain reading of
             Rule 14 it is obvious that the relaxation power, so called, Can be exercised B
             in respect of a class or category of persons when the Government are of
             opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do in ·public interest and for
             reasons to be recorded in writing. The rule empowers the Government to
             'relax any of the pro,jsions of these rules' in pubic interest. Now if we tum
             to the Govcrnme.nt Order in Civil Appeals Nos. 2708-09 and 1673-74 of
             1991 we find that the orders dated Januari3, 1985 are in identical terms, C
           _ the relevant part whereof reads as under :

                     "•.....•. after careful consideration Government have been
                     pleased to relax the appointment of the -following nine
                     irregular L.DAssistants of Directorate of Mining and •
                     Geology under provisions of Rule-14 of the O.M.S.                           D
                     (Method of Recruitment of Junior Assistants in the Office
                     of Heads of Departments) Rules, 1975 on compassionate
                     grounds in public interest." · -

    --><    The names of the concerned irregular appointees have then been stated                E
            without prejudice to inter-se seniority. In the other two appeals arising from
            Special Leave Petitions Nos. 18926191 and "389192 the text of the order is
            somewhat different from the one extracted above. In both these cases the
-           order, though differing from the above extracted text, is identical in Ian'
            guage, the relevant part whereof reads thus .:                                       F

                      'I am directed ............ io say that a proposal for regularisa-
                    . tion of the following irregular recruits appointed as Junior
                      Assistant in the office of the Chief Engineer, P.H., Orissa
                      in violation of the pro,isions contained in Orissa Mini-
                      sterial Service (Method of Recruitment to the posts of                     G
                      Lower Division Assistants in the Offices of the Heads of
                      Department) Rules, 1975, was under active consideration
                      of Government.

                     ... ... ... .... ...                                                        H
     510                   SUPREME COURT REPORTS                     (1993] 2 S.C.R.

A            After careful consideration, Government has been pleased                  .A
             to regularise the irregular appointment of these 18 recruits
             under Rule 14 of the Orissa Ministerial Service (Method
             of Recruitment to the Posts of Lower Division Assistants
             in the Office of the Heads of Department) Rules, 1975.
             Tlte inter-se seniority of these irregular recruits vis-a-vis
B            with that of regular recruits may be determined in accord-
             anec with the provision contained under Rule 13....."

            From the texts of the aforesaid orders two things immediately come
     to notice, namely, (i) .the orders relate to named individual irregular
c    recruits and (ii) they purport to regularise the services of such recruits.
     Next the first order of January 3, 1985 says that the relaxation power
     conferred by Rule 14 is being invoked "on compassionate grounds in public
     interest" whereas the subsequent order of February 14, 1985 does not
     assign any reason whatsoever for the exercise of the power. Now und.er
     Rule 14 the power to relax the provisions of the Rules can be exercised in
D'
     public interest only for ;easons to be recorded in writing. In the first order
     the only reason surfacing from the text of the order is compassion whereas
     the second order is entirely silent on the point. Besides, under Rule 14
     the power eiitends to relaxation of any of the provisions of the Rules but
     the orders do not expressly state which rule or rules" is or are intended to
E    be relaxed and the matter is left to inference. Indeed it is quite obvious
     from the text ohhe orders which we have extmcted hereinabove that what
     was intended was not to relax any particular rule or rules but to regularise
     the appointments. of certain specified individuals whose appointments were
     not in accordance with the Rules. The Orirr;a Administrative Tribunal in
F    Original Applications Nos. 208 and 209 of 1987 which has given rise to civil
     Appeals Nos./2708-09 and 1673-74 of 1991 observes :

              "The group of nine Assistants had nothing in common
              between them except that they were appointed sometime
              or other in various different types of posts .... By themselves
G             they do not form a class or category except for the fact
              that they are irregular recruits. We have not been able to
              understand how compassionate ground and public inter-
              est go together. There is no doubt that these are cases
              which have been regularised on compassionate ground
H             but we have not been able to see any public interest in the
                STATE OF ORISSA v. SUKANTI MOHAPA1RA [AHMADI, J.]                   511

    _)-,
                    said regularisation. In fact, Annexure X amounts to a                   A
                    regularisation of irregular recruits. but there is no such
                    provision of regularisation of irregular recruits in the said
                    rules or any other rule pointed out to us."

             The Tribunal then proceeds to point out that a large number of them do
             not have the minimum prescribed qualification of Intermediate Arts,            B
           . Science or Commerce.

                    "Once we accept that Rule 14 gives power to Government
                    to regularise irregular recruits by executive order then the
                    entire rule framed for recruitment by a prescribed proce-
                    dure can be set at naught."
                                                                                            c
           The Tribunal thus saw a difference between regularisation and relaxation
           and came to the conclusion that Rule 14 did not permit regularisation of
           irregular recruits. It also felt that sympathy and compassion cannot out-
           weigh public policy and concern for public interest. In this view of the
           matter it felt that the gradation list showing the regularised recruits senior
           to regularly appointed persons was not legally sustainable. It, however,
           dismissed the Applications as time barred, a view which it reviewed and
           reversed subsequently in M.P. Nos.187-188 of 1990, which order too is
           assailed before us.
                                                                                            E
                 In the subsequent two appeals arising out of S.L.Ps. Nos. 18926/91
            and 389/92, the Tribunal held :

-                   ult seems Government used the expression 'regularisation'
                    ....... as synonymous with 'relaxation'. In our opin~ this
                                                                                            F
                    is entirely wrong. In the guise of 'relaxation', Government
                    has no power to 'regularise' the illegal appointments."

            But realising that on the quashing of regularisation all the irregular
            recruits would lose their livelihood, the Court further observed :
                                                                                            G
                    "On equitable ground we feel that it shall not be proper
                    for the end of justice to countenance such a situation
                    where persons serving for 12 years under the Government
                    would lose their jobs."

            After pointing out that most of such recruits would have crossed the upper
      512                   SUPREME COURT REPORTS                  [1993] 2 S.C.R.

A     age limit for entry into Government service and many of them may have
      moved vertical! y by securing promotions, the Tribunal moulded the relief
      as under:

              "At this juncture on equitable ground while we do not
              propose to quash the regularisation ...... we shall not at
B             the same time allow the illegality and injustice to per-
              petuate further by denying the relief sought for in this
              application."

      The Tribunal declared the petitioner (regular recruit) to be senior to the
      irregular recruits without striking ~own the regularisation order.
c
            The appeals have been preferred by those whose entry in service was
      irregular being dehors the Rules on the grounds that the Tribunal was            " .4'
      wrong in the view it took regarding the Government's power under Rule
      14 and the exercise of that power. The State of Orissa has also approached
D     this Court to have its orders of January 3, 1985 and February 14, 1985
      upheld. As all these appeals raise common questions of law, we have
      deemed it appropriate to dispose them of by this common judgment.

             From what we have discussed so far it does appear that after the
      Rules were brought into force with effect from January 1, 1976, the
I'
J:,   recruitment was made in total disregard of the Rules in 1976 and there(ore
      even of those who did not possess the minimum educational qualification
      prescribed for the job under the Rules. Such recruits have been described
      as 'irregular'. Rule 14 empowers the Government (o relax any rule or rules
      in public interest for any class or category of persons for reasons to be
F     stated in writing. However, it is clear from the two orders reproduced
      hereinabove that the regularisation was made for individuals specified in
      the orders who had made representations and not for any class or category
      of persons. True it is that the persons named in the orders were irregular
      appointees but the orders do not say that all irregular appointees will stand
      regularised under the said orders. Then, the first order of January 3, 1985
G     says that regularisation is being permitted on compassionate grounds which
      would depend on the fact-situation of each appointee. Even.if it is assumed
                                                                                        y
      that these irregular recruits constituted a class or category of persons, Rule
       14 could be invoked in public interest only. If compassionate ground is the
      public interest for regularisation .it is difficult to understand how such a
      factual aspect can form the basis for public interest. Assuming that their
         STATE OF ORISSA v. SUKANTI MOHAPATRA [AHMADI, J.]                  513

    having served for long years is a valid reason for regularisation, that, A
    without anything more, will not meet the requirement of the action being
    in public interest. Rule 14 requires that the reasons in support of the action
    being in public interest mu~t be stated in writing but no reason other than
    'compassionate grounds' appears in the first order. And what are those
    compassionate grounds? The order does not provide the answer. The
    subsequent order of February 14, 1985, does not even pretend to state that
                                                                                    B
    the action is in public interest. It is totally silent on this point. It would,
    therefore, seem that the essential requirement i.e. the condition precedent
    for the exercise of power under Rule 14, namely, public interest, is not
    shown to have been satisfied. Next Rule 14 permits relaxation of "any of
    the provisions of the rules" but does not speak of regularisation. Ex-facie   c
    the two orders do not speak of any particular rule or rules having been
    relaxed but provides for regularising the services of specified individuals
    whose appointments were outside and inconsistent with the Rules. The
    reason for exercise of power in the case of nine appointees covered under
    the order of January 3, 1985 is stated to be "cojllpassionate grounds" and D
    in the case of those covered under the second order of February 14, 1985,
    no ground at all. Such orders, therefore, cannot have the protection of Rule
    14 nor can the appointments be regularised as having been made under
    the Rules so as to dislodge the seniority of regularly appointed·.persons.

•         The Rules were made un.der the proviso to Article 309 for regulating E
    the method of recruitment to the posts of Lower Division Assistants in the
    offices of the Heads of Departments. The method of recruitment set out
    in Rule 3 is through a competitive examination to be held once in every
    year. According to Rule 4 this competitive examination has to be con-
    ducted by a Board of Examiners after the Chairman of the Board has F
    invited applications from those desirious of appearing at the examination
    through public advertisement. Rule 8 lays down the eligibility criteria as
    regards age, educational qualification, knowledge of Oriya language, etc.
    Rule 9 sets out the syllabus of the examination and Rule 10 provides for
    allotment of successful candidates to different departments. Rule 11 is G
    somewhat important since it lays down the _procedure for filling up vacan-
    cies after the list of candidates is exhausted. Where the vacancy has arisen
    after the list is exhausted such vacancy may be filled by a successful
    candidate of the previous year and failing that by any qualified candidate
    on a temporary basis till the result of the next year's examination is
    declared. Rule 12 provides the period of probation while Rule 13 lays down H
    514                    SUPREME COURT REPORTS                   (1993] 2 S.C.R.

A   the rule for focation of seniority. It says that the relative seniority of each-
    candidate shall be determined with reference to his position in the com-
    petitive examination in any particular year. Where, however, a candidate
    of the previous year is· selected. under Rule 11 for appointment in the
    subsequent year he shall rank just below the successful candidates of the
    year in which the appointment was made. To this a proviso has been added
B   as under:

             "P~ovided that  those appointed as iumor assistants, in
             relaxation of provision under Rule 14, shall in that year
             rank below all candidates who have been validly recruited
c            under Rule 3 and under first part of Rule 11 of the said
             rules.   11




    Rule 14 we have already extracted earlier. Rule 15 provides for reservations
    and concessions to SC/ST and other candidates. Rule 16 stipulates that
D   these rules shall have over-riding effect notwithstanding anything inconsis-
    tent therewith contained in any other recruitment rules, orders, etc. It
    becomes clear from these rules that after they came into force they alone
    held the field. Secondly, the method of recruitment is only one, namely,
    direct recruitment through a competitive examination to be conducted by
    the Board of Examiners. The only exception that we find is in Rule 11
E   which permits a temporary appointment till the next year's examination
    result is declared. Despite the Rules having come into force with effect
    from January 1, 1976, appointment were made in disregard of the Rules
    from 1976 and onwards. It is this batch of irregularly appointed employees

F
    whose services were sought to be regularised under rule 14 by the orders
    of January 3, 1985 and February 14, 1985. Counsel for the regular recruits
                                                                                           -
    contend that what the Government has done in exercise of power under
    Rule 14 is to set at naught the entire body of the Rules as if they never
    existed. The power of relaxation, contend counsel, cannot be so used as to
    render the Rules non-est. In support of this contention strong reliance was
    placed on the following observations in the case of R.N.Nanjundappa v. T.
G   171immiah and A11r., 1972 SLR 94 (AIR 1972 SC 1767) :

             "If the appointment itself is in infraction of the rules or if            y
             it is in violation of the provisions of the Constitution,
             illegality cannot be regularised. Ratification or regularisa-
H            tion is possible of an act which is within the power and
 'y


                    STATE OF ORISSA v. SUKANTI MOHAPATRA [AHMADI, J.]                     515

      ...>-,            province of the authority but there has been some non-                  A
                        compliance with procedure or manner which does not go
                        to the root of the appointment. Regularisation cannot be
                        said to be a mode of recruitment. To accede to such a
                        proposition would be to introduce a new head of appoint-
                        ment in defiance of rules or it may have the effect of
                                                                                                B
                        setting at naught the rules."

               In the present case also the appointments of the employees whose services
               are sought to be regularised were dehors the Rules. Rule 14 merely permits
               relljlffition of any of the provisions of the Rules in public interest but not
               the total shelving of the Rules. The orders do not say which rule or rules       c
               the Government considered necessary and expedient in public interest to
               relax. What has been done under the impugned orders is to. regularise the
               illegal entry into service as if the Rules were not in existence. Besides the
               reasons for so doing are not set out nor is it clear how such regularisation
               can sub-serve public interest. Rule 14 has to be strictly constructed and
                                                                                                  D
               proper foundation must be laid for the exercise of power under that rule.
               The Rules have a limited role to play, namely, to regulate the method of
               recruitment, and Rule 14 enables the Government to relax any of the


- ,.           requirements of the Rules pertaining to recruitment. The language of Rule
               14 in the context of the objective of the Rules does not permit total
               suspension of the Rules and recruitment dehors the Rules. In the present E
               case the recruitments had taken place years back in total disregard of the
               Rules and now what is sought to be done is to regularise the illegal entry
               in exercise of power under Rule 14. Rule 14, we are afraid, does not confer
               such a blanket power; its scope is limited to relaxing any rule, e.g., eligibility
               criteria, or the like, but it cannot be understood to empower Government
                                                                                                  F
               to throw the Rules overboard. If the rule is so constructed it may not stand
  ~            the test of Article 14 of the Constitution. The proviso to Rule 13 can come
               into play in the matter of fixation of seniority between candidates who have
               successfully cleared the examination and a ·candidate who cleared the
                examination after availing of the benefit of relaxation. We are, therefore,
                of the opinion that the Tribunal committed no error in understanding the. G
               pu port of Rule 14.

                     The Tribunal's order in review is assailed on the ground that it had
               no justification to reverse its earlier order by which it had held that the
               challenge was time-barred. The Tribunal exercised the review jurisdiction H
    516                   SUPREME COURT REPORTS                   [1993] 2 S.C.R.

A as it had failed to notice the correct.provision and had, therefore, applied
    the wrong provision in declaring the proceeding time-barred. The Tribunal
    rightly points out that since the cause of action had arisen prior to the
    establishmenf of the Tribunal, the proceedings stood governed by section
    21{2) (a) and not section 21{1) {a) of the Administrative Tribunals Act,
    1985, which it had wrongly invoked. We, therefore, see no merit in this
B   challenge.

           Now even though the Tribunal came to the conclusion that Rule 14
    did not permit regularisation made under the impugned orders of January
    3, 1985 and February 14, 1985, it, having regard to the long service put in
C   by the employees nan."d in the said two orders and on compassionate
    considerations has supported the regularisation under Article 162 of the
    Constitution. It has moulded the relief on such consideration. Since that
    part of the order has not been assailed and since the appellants cannot be
    worse of by appealing, we cannot interfere with that part of the order. It
    will, therefore, be worked out as directed by the Tribunal but we may
D   clarify that it will not have the effect of disturbing the seniority of regular
    appointees who will rank senior to the irregular appointees. We may also
    clarify that any benefit derived by the irregular appointees under any


                                                                                      -
    interim orders contrary to the relief moulded by the Tribunal shall be
    adjusted and brought in tune with the said relief. The benefit of this relief,
E   to the extent relevant, will be given to irregular appointees covered under
    both the impugned orders .of January 3, 1985 and February 14, 1985.

          With the above clarification, we dismiss all these appeals with no
    orders as to costs.

    G.N.                                                    Appeals disposed of.
                                                                                      -


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