State of M.P. and Ors. v. Shyama Pardhi Etc. Etc.

Delay condoned. Leave granted. These appeals by special leave arise from the order of the Ad- F ministrative Tribunal, Jabalpur M.P. Public Health and Family Welfare Department Non-ministerial (Related to the Directorate Health Services) Class-III Services Recruitment Rules, 1989 (for short 'the Rules'), made under proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution, prescribed qualification for the appointment of Auxiliary Nurse-cum-Midwife (ANM), viz., 10 + 2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as qualitative subjects. Admittedly, the G respondents had not possessed that qualification. It would be seen that the District Medical Officer, therefore, wrongly selected the respondents and sent them to the training. After their successful completion of the training, he made appointment as A.N.M. in the pay scale of Rs. 950-1350. The respondents were served with notice dated 31st January, 1994 intimating H 450 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1995) SUPP. 5 S.C.R. A that their selection for training was illegal and their services would be terminated with effect from February 23, 1994. The respondents challenged the cancellation of their appointment. The Tribunal in the impugned order had held that the respondents having been selected and undergone the training and the competent authority having duly appointed them, cancellation of their appointment without _any opportunity is violative of the principles of natural justice and it accordingly set aside the order and directed their reinstatement with consequential benefits. Hence, these appeals by special leave. It is now an admitted fact across the Bar that the respondents had not possessed the pre-requisite qualification, namely, 10 + 2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as subjects. The Rules specifically provide that qualification as a condition for appointment to the post of ANM. Since prescribed qualifications had not been satisfied, the initial s~ction to undergo training is per se illegal. Later appointments thereof are in viola­ tion of the statutory rules. The Tribunal, therefore, was not right in direct­ ing the reinstatement of respondents. The question of violation of the principles of natural justice does not arise. The ratio of Shrawan Kumar Jha and Others v. State of Bihar and Others, AIR 1991 SC 309, strongly relied on, has no application to the facts of this case. That w<:1s a case where appellants possessed initial qualifications but they did not undergo the training. Since the appointment was set aside on the ground of want of training, this Court interfered with; directed the Government to reinstate them into service and further directed them to send the appellants therein for training. The appeals are allowed and O.As. stand dismissed. No costs. G.N. Appeals allowed. r ./