K. S. SRINIVASAN versus UNION OF INDIA

S.C.R.

SUPREME COUH'l' REPORTS

1295

K. S. SRINIVASAN v. UNION OF INDIA (S. R. DAS C.J., VENKATARAMA AlYAR, s. K. DAS, A. K. SARKAR and VIVIAN BosE, JJ.)

19J8

.February 18.

Union Service, Termination of-Servant in quasi-permanent the status status-Post kept in abeyance-Ordered to carry while officiating in new appointment under miisapprehension Validity-Test--Consultation with Federal Public Service Com misS!ion1 if mandat01rY-Servant, if entitled to Constitutional protection-Constitution of India, Art, 311(2)-Central Civil Services (Temporary Service) Rules, 1947, rr. 3, 4 and 6(1).

The appellant held the post of a Public Relations Officer, AU India Radio, and was declared to be in quasi-permanent ·Service under r. 3. of the Central Civil Service (Temporary Service) Rules, 1949. As a measure of war economy the the post "in abeyance" and Government decided to hold the appellant was appointed to officiate as Assistant Staion Director in a temporay capacity and was ordered to carry with him his quasi-permanent status wh.iie holding his new post. On the objection of the Union Public Service Commis sion, however, the service of the appellant was terminated and he was appointed to a temporary past of Assistant In formation Officer . which belonged to a lower grade. The ap pellant moved the High Court for a writ of certiorari. His contentilon was that as, admittedly, he had not been called upon to show cause, Art. 311(2) of the Constitution was vio~ lated. It was contended on behalf of the respondent that the order permitting the· appellant to carry his quasi-permanent status to his new post having been made under a misappre hension that the post of Assistant Station Director belonged to the same grade as that of the Public Relations Officer, his service was terminable under the relevant Service Rules:

Hel'd (per Das, C. J., Venkatarama Aiyar, S. K. Das and A. K. Sarkar, JJ., Bose, J. Dissenting), that the post of Assis tant Station Director was not a post in the same grade as that of the Public Relat:ons Officer and under the relevant Service Rules he could not carry his quasi-permanent status to the new post; as the order . permitting the appellant to carry 'his quasi--permarJent status was passed under a mis apprehension and was not intended to confer ·on him that status independently in the new post, his service was termi nable under r. 6(1) of the Rules.

It is well settled that. if a servant has no right to the post and his service can be terminated under the Service Rules, Art. 311 (2) is not attracted. Consequently, the appellant who temporacy capacity, could not was appointed on a purely seek. the protection of Art. 311 (2).

·

·

1968

K. B. Srinivasan v. Union of India

1296

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

[1958)

Parshotam Lal Dhinura v. Union of India, [1958] S.C.R.

828, relied on.

Admission is not conclusive proof of the matter admit ted although it may in certain circumstances operate as an estoppel. In the present case, as the appellant was in no way misled as to his quasi-permanent status by the errom!<lus order of the Government, no question of estoppel could arise.

Held, further, that the word 'reduction' in cl. (ii) of r. 6(1) of the Rules is not necessarily confined to abolition but also includes keeping iri abeyance of posts and the ·Nord 'certi fy' occurring. therein does not necessarily imply tQat a formal order is essential.

The same scale of pay is not the only test for finding out if a particular post belongs to the same grade as another within the meaning of the proviso to cl. (ii) of r. 6(1) of the Service Rules, nor does the tact that the two belong to the same class determine the question.

Quasi-permanent status is a creature Of the Rules and a servant who seeks the benefit of r. 3 must be held to be bound by the proviso to r. 4(b) of the Rules.

State of U. P. v. Manbodhan Lal Srivastava, [1958] S.C.R.

533, neid inapplicable.

Per Bose, J .-The order of. the Government permitting the appellant to carry with him the quasi-permanent status he had in his former post was clearly intended to confer on the appellant quasi-permanent status in his new post and the Government could not be allowed to go back upon it although it may have acted under a m,istake, subsequently discovered.

The Commissioner of Police, Bombay v. Gordhandas

Bhanji, [1952] S.C.R. 135, applied.

Moreover, under r. 4(a) of the Rules the Government had tire power to confer such a status without any previous con sultation with the Federal Public Service Commission as re quired by r. 4(b) of the Rules, the words 'is required to be made' occurring in that rule being only directory and not mandatory.

St~te of U. P. v. Manbodhan Lal Srivastava, [1958] S.C.R. 533, Biswanath Khemka v. The Kinu Emperor, [1945] F.C.R. 99 and Montreal Street Railway Company v. Normandin, [1917] A.C. 170, relied on.

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeal No. 78 of

1957 and Petition No. 81 of 1956.

Appeal by special leave from the judgment and order dated Novembet 25, 1955, of the Punjab High Court in Civil Writ No. 209-D of 1955.

S.C,R.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

1297

K. S. Krishnaswamy Aiyanger and C. V. L. Narayan, for

~he appellant.

1958 K. s. Srinivasan v.

P.A. Mehta, R. Ganilpathy Iyer · and R. H. Dhebar, Unioo of lndi"

for the respondent.

s. K. Da• J.

1958. February 18. The Judgment of Das C. J., Venka ~rama Aiyar, S.K. Das and Sarkar, 1JJ., was delivered by S.K. Das J. Bose J. delivered a separate judgment.

S. K. DAs J.-On May 1, 1946, Shri K. S. Srinivasan, to a post of Liaison appellant before us, was appointed Officer, All India Radio, on a pay of Rs. 350 per month in the scale of Rs. 350-20-450-25/2-550. The appoint· ment was made on the recommendation of the then Federal Public Service Commission, and the advertisement or memo- randum of information for candidates, as it is more properly called, issued by the Publfo Service Commission when calling for applications for the said post, rela:ted tt> the recruitment for nine posts of Listeners' Research Officers and nine posts of Liaison Officers, All India Radio. It was stated in the said memorandum that the posts were permanent and pension- able, but would be filled on a temporary basis; the memoran- dwit ·further stated that if the persons doncerned were retain- ed in ·service and confirmed in they would be -allowed pensionary benefits and would ailso be eligible to contribute . to the General Provident Fund. In the first instance the appointments were made on probation for six m011ths subject to termination on certain conditions mention· ed .in para. 4 of the memorandum, whiab. need not be set out at this stage. The duties of .a Liaison. Officer were stated in para. 5 of the memorandum, the main duty being. to organise and conduc~ · publicity for the programmes and other activities of a Radio Station. The designation Liaison to Public Relations Officer, Offieer was Jater changed and atong with other posts of Listener Research Officer and Assistant Station Director, the posts of Public Relations Officers were upgraded to Rs. 450-25-500-30-800 with effect ftom Januitty 1, 1947. On May 23, 1952, .the Director General, All India Radio, passed an order bearing No. 2(1)

the posts,

1958

K. S. Sriniva.san v. Union of India

8. K.Da11J.

1298

SUPRE111E COURT REPORTS

[1958]

A I 50 in which it was stated that whereas the appellant had been in continuous Government service for more than three years and a declaration had been issued to him in pursuance of rr. 3 and 4 of the Central Civil Services (Temporary Service) Rules, 1949, and whereas an a;;>pointment to the post of Public Relations Officer was required to be made in con· sultation with the Union Public Service Commission and their concurrence to the! appointment had been obtained, the appellant wa;s appointed to the Public Relations Officer's grade in a quasi-permanent capacity with effect from May 1, 1949. On September 3, 1952, however, the appellant received an order from the said Director-General in which it was stated that his services would not be required after October 6, 1952. The appellant was naturally taken by surprise on receipt of this order and made a representation on September 8, 1952, in which he stated that as a quasi-permanent Public Relations Officer he had a claim to an alternative post in the same grade, so long as any post in the si.1ne grade was held by a Government servant not in permanent or quasi-permanent service. On September 13, 1952, the appellant was informed by means of an order that he wais appointed to officiate as Assistant Station Director, Madras (the appellant was then working as Public Relations Officer, All India Radio, Madras) in a purely temporary capacity until further orders. On September 19, 1952, the appellant was informed that his re presentation dated September 8, 1952, Wll!l under considera tion and a suggestion was made that in the meantime he should apply for one of the posts of Assistant Station Directors which had been advertised by the Union Public Service Commission. Then, on October 4, 1952, the appellant submitted a further representation in which he said that under the rules in question, namely the Central Civil Service to be '(Temporary Service) Rules, 1949, he was entitled retained in service in a post of the same grade and under the same appointing authority; and it was, therefore, not neces sary that he should be re-selected for the post of Assistant Station .Director by the Union Public Service Commission. In

1958

K. 8. 8rinivaBan Y. Uni<m of India

8.K.DOBJ.

S.C.R.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

1299

the concluding paragraph of his representation the appellant stated that in deference to the suggestion made in the letter of the Director-Gener~! dated September 19, 1952, he was enclosing· an application to the Union Public Service Com· mission for the post of Assistant Station Director and if, after due consideration, the Director-General decided that the appellant should apply for the post of Assistant Station Director, his application should be forwarded to the Union Public Service Commission. While Government was consider· ing the representation of the appellant, the Union Public Com mission interviewed in March, 1953, candidates for the posts of Assistant Station Directors. The appellant appeared before the Commission on March 26, 1953. On April 18, 1953, the appellant was informed that the Union Public SerVice Com· mission had not selected him and the appellant was aigain informed that "it was not possible to continue him in service." The- appellant made fresh representations to the effect that the order purporting to terminate his service on the ground that the Union Public Service Commission had not selected him for the post of Assistant_ Station Director, was an illegal order inasmuch as the appellant held a quasi~permanent status a.nd was entitled to hold a post in the grade of Assistant Station Directors, as .long as anyone not in permanent or quasi-permanent service continued to hold such a post. To these representations the appellant received a reply to the effect that Government had decided to keep in abeyance the post of Public Relations Officer held by hiln and therefore it was not possible to retain him in that post and the appellant was given an opportunity to show cause why · his service should not be termiyated on the expiry of the period of notice with effect from July 18, 1953. A reply wag asked for within 15 days. In reply, the appellant again pointed out that having been given a quasi-permanent status he was entitled to be retaJined in service under the rules governing Government servants holding such status, and the termination of his service would be in violation of Article 3 U of the

1958

K. S. Srint!lMan v. Union of India

1300

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

[1958]

Constitution. Gn July 3, 1953, the appellant received a memorandum dated June 9, 1953. This memorandum said: "Shri Srinivasan's representation has nnw been considered by Government. As the posts of Public Relations Officers form a cadre by themselves ·and do not belong to the cadre of Assistant Station Directors, he cannot claim any protection in the post bf Assistant Station Director on irccount of his being quasi-permanent as Public Relations Officer. Shri Srinivasan may please be informed accordingly."

-

On July 10, 1953, the appellant made a fresh representa tion, this· time to the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, in which he repeated his former objections and contended that the proposed termination of his service was irregular, unjust and illegal. He submitted that the order terminating his ser vice was in contravention of Art. 311 of the Constitution and he further sa,id that "though the posts of Public Relations Officer and Assistant Station Director were not declared to be in the same cadre, there can be no dispute that the posts are in the same grade." On August 17, 1953, the appellant received a memorandum to the effect that the notice of the termination of his service as Assistant Station Director dated April 18, 1953, as subsequently amended by corrigenda dated May 12, 1953, and July 3, 1953, was withdrawn, and it also stated that the notide dated May 26, 1953, asking the appel lant to show cause why his service should not be terminated was cancelled. This was followed by an order dated Decem ber 14, 1953. This order has an important bearing on the points urged befure us and must be quoted in fu!J.:

"S. Noc 41(R) Government of India, Director General, All India Ral.lio.

No. 1(113)-SII52.

New Delhi, the 14th December, 1953.

ORDER.

In this Directorate Order No. 2(1)-A/50, dated the 23rd May, 1952, Shri K. S. Srinivasan, then officiating Public

S.C.R.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

1301

1958

K. S. fl~i1tioo~a• v. Uni<m of India

S.K.DMJ.

Relations Officer, AU India Radio, was appointed to that in a quasi-permanent capacity with effect post from the in August 1952, all lst May, 1949. Subsequently, posts of Public Relations Officers, except the one in the Ex ternal Services Division, were held in abeyance. As the post of Public Relations Officer belongs to the same grade as Assistant Station Director calrrying 'identidal scales of pay Shri Srinivasan was appointed Assistant Station Director in the External Services Division with effect from the 22nd the pr~vision contained. in the September, 1952. Under Ministry of Home Affairs Office Memorandum No. 54/136/ 51-NGS, dated the 24th April, 1952, Shri Srinivasan will carry with him the quasi-permanent stait!us of his former . pt>st of Public Relations Officer while holding the po'st of Assistant Station Director.

.• (Sd.) M. Lal, .Dire~tor-General." A copy of the order w~ also sent, fo the Secretary, Union Public Service Commission. Unfortunately, the appel lant soon found that his troubles did not end with the order dated December 14, 1953. On August 31, 1955, the appellant was informed by the then Secretary, Ministry of Information 'that Union · Public Service Commis and Broadcasting, sion had objected to his appointment as ~ssistant Station Director, holding that such appointment was contrary to the regulations; the appellant was then asked that he should re linquish the post of Assistant Station Director and accept a temporary post of Assistant Information Officer in the Press Information Bureau or, in the alternative, he should "clear out". It may be stated here that the. post of Assis tant Information Officer offered to the appellant carried a scale of pay lower thain that of an Assistant Station Pirec tor, namely Rs. 350-25-500-30-620. As this new offer dep rived the appellant of his quasi-permanent status and' also amounted to a reduction in his rank, the-appellant immedia~ tely sent fresh representations to the Home Minist.ey, Direc tor-General, and the Minister for Information and Bt'Qadcast ing. On September 7, 1955, the appellant received the final

1958

K. 8. 8rinivaaan v. Union of India

S.K.DMJ.

1302

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

[1958)

order of Gbvernment, which is the order complained of in the present appeal. That order was in these terms:

"Shri Srinivasan was declared quasi-permanent in the grade of Public Relations Officer, All India Radio (Rs. 450- 25-500-EB-30-800) with effect from the 1st May, 1949. In 1952, all the posts of Public Relations Officer excepting one in the External Services Division were held in abeyance as a measure of economy. The only post that survived the ecbnomy drive was assigned to the permanent incnmbent. Shri Srinivasan would have had to be retrenched in 1952; for quasi-permanency does not preclude retrenchment and .there was no other officer in the grade of Public Relations Officer who was non-quasi-permanent Mid who could have been dis charged in preference to him. He was irregularly transferred as Asst. Station Director, in an officiating capacity. He ap plied for one of the posts of Assistant Station Director when they were ad~ertised by the Union Public Service Commis sion in 1953, but was rejected. Subsequently, he was allowed to carry a:lso irregularly, the quasi-permanent status in the grade of Public Relations Officer while holding the post of Assistant Station Director, vide Directorate General, All India Radio's order No. 1 (113) SI/52 dated the 14th December, 1953. The Union Public Service Commission have not accepted this transfer as it is in contravention of the Union Public Service Commission (Consultation) Regu lations. Since he has been rejected for the post of Assistant Station Director in an open selection and also since the Union Public Service Commission have not accepted his transfer, the Government of India regret that they are un able to allow him to continue in the post of Assistant Station Director. He is, therefore, required· fo relinquish charge of the post of Assistant Station Director immediately.

"To save him the ha!rdship of retrenchment, the ques tion of offering Shri Srinivasan alternative employment has been considered. There is no intention of reviving the posts of Public Relations Officer -that were held in abeyance in 1952. For publicity and public relations work of All India

S.C.R.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

1303.

1958

J(. S. Srt'.nivaaan v. Union of India

S. K. DaaJ,

in

Radio, a few posts of Assistant Information Officer in the scale of Rs. 350-25-500.EB-30-620 have been sanctioned on the strength of the Press Information Bureau and it is pro posed to absorb him on temporary basis, against one of these posts. The absorption this post also, is subject to the approval by the Union Public Service Commission to whom a reference has been made. Meanwhile, after relinquishing the charge of the post of Assistant Station Director, he should . report himself for duty to the Principal Information Officer, Press Information Bureau, New Delhi. The question of fixa tion of his pay in the grade of Assistant Information Officer, with a view to protecting his present salary will be taken up after he has joined duty."

The appellant continued to make some more representa tions which were, however, rejected, arnd on October 11, 1955, an order was palssed transferring the appellant to the Press Information Bureau as officiating Assistant Information Officer with immediate effect and the appellant was directed to hand over charge ol the post of Assistant Station Director immediately and to take over his pt>st in the Press Infonna tion Bureau forthwith. The validity of this order, which is also challenge<i in the present appea!I, necessarily depends on the validity of the earlier order dated September _7, 1955.

The appellant refused to accept the lower post of Assist ant Press Information Officer and on October 19, 1955, he made over charge under protest. On November 25, 1955, the appellant filed a petition, numbered Writ Petition 209-D of 1955 in the Punjab High Court in which he prayed for the issue of a writ of certiorari or any other appropriate writ for quashing the orders dated September 7, 1955, a:nd October 11, 1955, and asked for an order directing his rdnstatement as Assistant Station Director in the External Services Divi sion of the All India Radio, the post which he was holding when the orders complained of were passed. This petition was summarily dismissed by the Punjab High Court on the same date. The appellant then moved the said High Court

1958

K. 8. Sri11il:a$an. v. l.i11ion of lndla

S. K. Da•J.

1304

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

[1958]

for a cerifitoate for leave to appeal to this Court. That appli cation was also dismissed on March 16, 1956. Thereupon, the appellant moved this Court for Specii1l Leave and obtained such leave on April 23, 1956. While moving the application for special leave, learned counsel for the appellant stated that without prejudice to the contentions of either party, the appellant would take up the post of Assistant Information Officer in the Press Information Bureau pending disposal of the appeal.

On April 22, 1956, the appellant also filed a petition under Art. 32 of the Constitution and in this petition the appellant has challenged the order dated September 7, 1955, on the ground that the order violates the provisions of Arts. 14 and 16 of the Constitution.

The present judgment will govern the appeal by special leave as also the petitibn under Art. 32 of the Constitution. It will be convenient to take up the appeal first. The main question for decision in the appeal is .whether the impugned orders violate the constitutional guarantee given by Art. 311(2) to the appellant, who is ad'mittedly the holder of a civil post under the Union. The true scope and effect of Art. 311 of the Constitution was 'fully considered in w recent judgment of this Court in Parshotam Lal Dhingra v. Union of India('), pronounced on November 1, 1957, and it was there 'held by the majority as follows (we are quoting such observations only as have a bearing on the present case):

"Shortly put, the principle is that when a servant has a right to a post or to a rank either under the terms of the contract of employment, express or implied, or under the rules gt>verning the conditions of his service, the termination of the service of such a servant or his reduction to a lower post is by itself and prima facie a punishment, for it operates as a forfeiture of his right to hold that post or that rank and to get the emoluments and other benefits attached there to. But if the servant has no right to the post, as where he is appointed to a post, permanent or temporary, either on proba.-

(1) [19581 S.C.R 828.

1958

K. S. 8rinfrasa.11, v. U1'ion of India s. K. D<BJ.

8.C.R.

SUPBEME COURT REPOR'rs

1305

the

tion or on an officiating basis and whbse temporary service has not ripened into a quasi-permanent service as defined in the Temporary Service Rules, termination of his employment does not deprive him of any right and cannot, therefore, by itself, be a punishment. One test for determin ing whether the termination of the service of a government servant is by way of punishment is to ascertain whether the servant, but for such termination, had the right to hold the post. If he had a right to the post as in the three oases here inbefore mentioned, the termination of his service .will by itself be a punishment and he will be entitled to the protec tion of Art. 311. Jn other words and broadly speaking, Art. 31 I <2) will apply to those cases where the government ser vant. had he .been employed by a private employer, would be entitled to maintain an action for wrongful dismissal, removal or reduction in rank. To put it in another way, if the govern ment has, by contract, express or implied, or, under the rules, the right to terminate the employment at any time, then such termination in the manner provided by the contract or the rules is, prima f acie and per se, not a punishment and does not attract the provisions of Art. 311."

the

is-did

critical question

the appellant Therefore, have a right to the post of Assistant Station Director, which he was holding, when the impugned orders were passed? If he had! such a right, the impugned orders will undoubtedly be bad because they deprive the appellant of that' right inasmuch as they terminate his service in the post he was holding and reduce him tb a lower post. Admittedly, there was no pro ceeding against the appellant for disc.iplinary action and he had no opportunity of showing cause against any su,ch action. lf, on the contrary, the appellant had no right to the post he was holding and under the rules governing the conditions of his service his service was liable to be terminated, then the appellant is not entitled to the protection of Art. 311. On behalf of the appellant the contention is that under the Civil Services <Temporary Service) Rules, 1949 he held a. quasi L/S4SCI-8

1968

K. S. Sri1tfoa,~t1n v. U1iion of lrulia

8. K. Das .J.

1306

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

[I 958J

permanent status in the post of Public Rela:tions Officer to which he was first appointed and he carried that status to the post of Assistant Station Director to which he was later appointed; therefore, he had a right <?f which he could not be deprived except in accordance with those rules, and the impugned orders were passed in derogation of those rules. Furthermore, it is contended on behalf of the appellant that the Union Public Service Commission failed to appreciate" the correct legal position and their opinion, officious or other wise, was neither decisive nor binding on Government or the appellant.

On behalf of the Union of India. respondent before us, it has been conceded that the Central Civil Services (Tempo rary Service) Rules. l 949 are the relevant rules governing the conditions of the appellant's service. But the argument is that the impugned orders are in consonance with those rules and the service of the appellant who was in quasi-permanent service in the post of Public Relations Officer was liable to under r. 6(1)(ii), because (I) a reduction had termination occurred in the number of posts of Public Relations Officers available for Government servants not in permanent service, and (2) the post of Assistant Station Director to which the appellant was appointed in a purely temporary capacity was not a post of the same grade a.s the specified post held by the appellant so as to entitle him to the benefit of the proviso to r. 6(l)(ii). On behalf of the respondent it has been further submitted that the order dated December 14, 1953 was issued under a misapprehension and when the correct position was rightly pointed out by the Union Public Service Commission, Government passed the impugned order of September 7, 1955 and by way of mitigating the hardship of the appellant who was faced with . the prospect of immediate unemployment offered him the post of Assistant Inform®on Offi0er--a post created for the performance of duties similar to those of the whilom Public Relations Officer.

These are the rival contentions which fall for consi the relevant

deration by us. We must at this stage read

1958

K. S. Sriniva~an v. lln-ion, of i'ltdU.

8. K. DasJ.

•

S.C.H.

SUPR]!;ME COURT REPORTS

1307

rules called the Central Civil Services (Temporary Service) Rules, 1949~ hereinafter to be referred to as the Temporary Service Rules. Rule 2 defines certain terms used in the Tem porary Service Rules. We are concerned with two of such terms-"Quasi-permanent service" and "specified posts". "Quasi-permanent service" means "temporary service com mencing from the date on , which a declaration issued under rule 3 takes effect and consisting of periods of duty and leave (other than extraordinary leave)_ after that date"; "specified post" means "the particular post, or the particular grade of posts within a cadre, in respect of which a Govern ment servant is decfared to be quasi-permanent under rule 3". Rule 3. which we must read in full, is in these terms:

"A Government servant shall be deemed to be in quasi

permanent service:

(i) if he has been in continuous Government service for

more than three years, _and

(ii) if the appointing authority, being satisfied as to his suitability in respect of age, qualifications, work and charac ter for employment in a quasi-permanent capacity, has issued a declaration to that effect, in accordance with such instruc tions as the Governor-Generali may issue from time to time."

Rules 4 and 6(1), are also important for our purpose and must be reproduced in full.

"Rule 4. (a) A declaration issued under rule 3 shall specify the particular post or the particular grade of posts within a cadre, in respect of which it is issued, and the date from which it takes effect.

(b) Where recruitment to a specified post is required to be made in consultation with the Federal Public Service Commission no such declaration shall be issued except after consultation with the Commission."

"Rule 6. (]) The service of a Government servant ill

quasi-permanent service shall be liable to termination-

(i) in the same circumstances and in the same manner

L/S4SCI-8(a)

•

1308

SUPHEMg COUHT REPORTS

[ l 958 J

19fJ8

as a Government servant in permanent service, or

K. 8. Bl'iniva8an ,., Uni1>n of India

8. K. Da8J.

(ii) when the appointing authority concerned has certifi· ed that a reduction ha6 occurred in the number of posts available for Government servants not in permanent service:

Provided that the service of a Government servant in quasi-permanent service shall not be liable to termination under cl. (ii) so long as any post of the same grade and under the same appointing authority as the specified post held by him, .continues to be held by a Government servant not in permanent or quasi-permanent service:

Provided further that as among Government servants in quasi-permanent service whose specified posts are o_f the same grade and under the same appointing authority, ter mination of servioe consequent on reduction of posts shall ordinarily take place in order of juniority in the list referred to in r. 7."

As rule 6(1) refers to r. 7, we may as well quote that rule.

"Rule 7. (l) Subject to the provision of this rule. a Government serva.nt in respect of whom a declaration has been made under rule 3, shall be eligible for a permanent the appointment on specified posts which may be filled from among persons in quasi-permanent service. in accord ance with such instructions as may be issued by the Governor General in this behalf from time to time.

the occurrence of a vacancy

in for being

reserved

Explanation: -No such declaration shall confer upon any person a right to claim a permanent appointment to any post.

(2) Every appomt111g authority shall, from time to time, after consultation with the appropriate Departmenta1! Pro motions Committee. prepare a list, in order of precedence, of persons in quasi-permanent service who are eligible for a permainent appointment. Jn prcpalring such a list, the appointing authority shall consider both the seniority and the merit of the Government servants conrerned. All perma-

S.O.R

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

1309

nent appointments which are reserved under sub-rule (1) under the conUrol of any such appointing ~thority shall be made in accordance with such list : Provided that the Government may order that permanent appointment to any grade or post may be marle purely in order of seniority."

1.?58

K, S. Sriniv(J,Ba.n, v. !Union of In4ia

,</, K. Da• J.

fact admitted

it is beyond dispute and in

Now, that the appellalnt held a quasi-permanent stat~s in the grade of posts known as Public Relations Officers. The order dated May 23, 1952, stated in clear terms that (i) a declaration had been issued in respedt of the appellamt in pursuance 0f rr. 3 ai;id 4 of the Temporary Service Rules, (ii) concur rence of the Union Public Service Commission had been obtained and (iii) the grade of posts in respect of which the appellant held quasi-permanent status was the Public Relations Officers' grade. Under r. 4 a declaration issued under r. 3 shall specify the particular post or the particular grades of posts within a cadre in respect of which it is issued and the date from which it takes effect. A 'cadre', accord ing to Fundamental Rule 9(4), means the strength of a ser vice or a part of a service sanctioned as a separate unit. Some indication of what is meant by a grade can be obtain ed from art. 29 of the Civil Service Regulations : that article states-

"29. Grade and Class-Appointments are said to be in the same "Class" when they are in the same Department, and bear the same designation, or have been declared by the Government of Ind'ia to be in the same class. Appointments in the same class are sometimes divided into "Grades" according to pay.

Note: -Appointments do not belong to the same Class or Grade unless they have been so constituted or recognised by proper authority. There are no Classes or Grades of Minis terial Officers." It is, therefore, clear that so far as the posts known as Public Relations Officers, All India Radio, are concerned, they formed a grade and the appella111t held a quasi-permanent status in that grade.

Rule 6(1) of the Temporary Servic~ Rules lays down

1o:;s

K. 8. Srin;vMa.n v. Tlnion of India

S. K. Da8 J.

13.IO

SUPHEME COUHT HEPOHTS

[1958]

how the service of a Government servant in quasi-permanent service can be terminated. We are concerned in this case with cl. (ii) of the said rule. That clause says that the ser vice of a Government servant in quasi-permanent service can be terminated "when the appointing authority concern ed ha:s certified that a reduction has occurred in the number of posts available for Government servants not in permanent service". Learned counsel for the appellant has very strongly submitted that there was no reduction within the meaning of the clause in the present case, far Jess any certificJation of such reduction. Learned counsel for the respondent has there was a· reduction urged with equal vehemence within the meaning of the clause and the appointing autho rity had certified such reduction.

that

Before considering the true scope and effect bf the relevant clause, it is necessary to say a few words about the Temporary Service Rules. At the same time the Rules were published, Government also issued a memorandum explana tory of the Rules. It wa:s therein stated that the term 'quasi permanent' service had been evolved with the object of attaching certain benefits to such service and with regard to r. 4(a) the memorandum stated-"Under Rule 4(a) a Gov ernment servant has to be declared as quasi-permanent in respect of a particular post; sudh a post may be an isolated one or it may be a post in a cadre consisting of several posts. In ca'Se where a cadre is split up into several grades it may belong to one such grade within the cadre. A Gov ernment servant who is declared as quasi-permanent in res pect of a particular post may be shifted from one post to another within the cadre or grade conoerned due to reduc tion in post or other causes. Such shifting d'oes not affect liis rights." As to r. 6(1) the memorandum gave the follow ing explanation: This rule relates to the security of tenure of a quasi-permanent Government servant. It should be noted that except in the event of :·educti.on in the number of posts in the cadre or grade concerned, the termination of service of a quasi-permanent Government servant will have to be

S.C.R

SUPRT~lVJE COUR'l' REPORTS

1311

made in the same man~er as the case of permanent Govern ment servant. For example, if the services are to be terminat ed on grounds of indiscipline or inefficiency, it will be neces sary to institute formal proceedings against him. He has also got a superior right of retention in service over that of purely temporary employees, in the grade in which he "!s quasi-permanent.

19/il

K. S. Srinivasa• v. Union of India

S. K. DaaJ,

The question before us is whether the impugned order of September 7, 1955, was in consonance with r. 6(1). This question has two aspects-first, the true scope and effect of cl. (ii) and second, the effect of the proviso thereto. We take up first cl. (ii). Was there a reduction in the present case within the meaning of cl. (ii)? We think that the answer must be in the affirmative. In the order dated December 14, 1953, which was an order in favour of the appellant, it was clearly stated that in August 1952, all the posts of Public Relations Officers, except the one in the External Services Division, were held in abeyance. In the impugned order of September 7, 1955, it was stated that in 1952 all the posts of Public Relations Officers excepting one in the External Services Division were held in abeyance alS a measure of economy and the only post that survived the economy drive was assigned. to a permanent incumbent. In his representa tion dated July 10, 1953, the appeMant himself admitted tha:t as per Director General, All India Radio's memoran dum dated May 21, 1953, he was informed that "it was decided to keep the post in abeyance". Learned counsel for the appellant has sought to draw a distinction between 'keep ing aJ post in ~beyance' and 'reducing a post' and has sug gested that the latter expression means abolishing a post permanently or temporarily whereas the former expression merely suggests not filling the post for the time being.· Words and phrases necessarily take their meaning from the context in which they aire used . .In cl. (ii) the expression used is "reduction ....... .'. in the number of posts available for Gov- ernment servants not in permanent service." Learned counsel for the respondent has rightly pointed out that the entire

19/iS

K. 8. Srini'IJMa.n v. fl'llion of India

S. K. TJasJ.

1312

SUPREME COUR1' REPORTS

[tn58]

to understand what

to clarify the meaning. Assume

clause should be read is meant by reduction, and in that context, reduction is not necessarily confined to abolition, permanent or otherwise. He has given that the an illustration permanent holder of a post goes on deputation; the post then becomes avail~ble for temporary or quasi-permanent officers. When, however, the permanent man returns from deputation, there is a reduction in the num_ber of posts avail able for Government servants not in permanent service. We agree with learned counsel for the respondent that the word reduction in the context of cl. (ii) is not necessarily confined to abolition, and keeping certain posts in abeyance comes within the expression. It may be further pointed out that in the order of September 7. 1955, it was clearly stated that Government had no intention of reviving the posts of Public Relations Officers kept in abeyance since 1952; therefore, for all practi~al purposes the posts have been abolished.

We do not think that there is any charm in the word 'certifies' which occurs in cl. "(ii). It is clear that the appel lant was informed, as far back as May, 1953, by a memo randum from the appointing authority that it was decided to keep the post (which the appellant held) in abe)lance. There is nothing in the clause which prevents the appointing authority from certifying by means of a memorandum instead of by a mere formal order.

Now, we come to the far more imporllant question of the effect of the proviso to cl. (ii\. The crucial point in that connection is whether the post of Assistant Station Director, to which the appellant was appointed in a purely temporary caipacity on September 13, 1952, was a post within the same grade or cadre as the posts of Public Relations Officer. If it is in the same grade or within the same cadre, the appel lant will retain his quasi-permanent status and the shifting, to use the words of the explanatory memorandum quoted earlier, will not affect his rights. This point has caused us considerable anxiey, and on a very careful consideration we hav~ reluctantly but ineluctably come to the conclusion that

J!/.j8

K. S. f:lrinivruan v. Union of Jnd·i"

8. K. n,,. .T.

S.C.R.

SUPREME COUHT R~PORTS

the post of Assistant Station Director is not in the same grade or oadre as the posts of Public Relations Officers.

On this point it is necess~ry to refer to some earlier history regarding the reorganisatibn of the All India Radio in 1944. The reorganisation, as enunciated in letter No. K- 404 /2397 dated December 15/28, 1944 from the Govern ment of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, was in three parts : (I) revision of the scales of pay of certain existing posts, (2) creation of some additional posts; and (3) creation of certain new categories of posts. The posts of Liaison Officer and Listeners' Research Officer came within the third category and nine posts were created under each head. The posts of Assistant Station Directors came within the first two categories. In 1950 Government made necessary declaration in respect of the cadres 'on the programme side of the All India Radib in their letter No. 17(83) I 49-BI dated March 20, 1950. The cadres so constituted included that of Assistant Station Directors : that cadre con sisted of the following posts : (a) Assistant Station Directbrs; (b) Instructor (Programmes); (c) Assistant Director of Pro grammes; (d) :j:.,istener Research Officer; (e) Officer on Special Duty (Kashmir); and (f) Officer Special Duty (Hyderabad) the last two being temporary. The Public Relations Officers were not put in the cadre of Assistant Station Directbrs. Exactly, the same position is envisaged in paragraph 129 of Chapter IV, Section I, of the A.LR. Manual, Vol. I. Under Fundamental Rule 9(3l)(c) a "post is said to be on the same time-scale as another post on a time-sdale if the two time scales are identical and the posts fall within a cadre, or cla~s in a cadre, such cadre or class having been created in order to fill all posts involving duties of approximately the same ch.aracter or degree of responsibility, in a service or establish ment or group of establishments". It is worthy of note that two conditions must be fulfilled for the application of Funda mental Rule 9(3l)(c) : one is that the two time-scales must be identical a'nd the other is that the two posts ·must fall in the same cadre or class in a cadre. Paragraph 129 referred tb above states in terms that only four categories of-posts men-

1958

K. S. Sri11iva.,an v. Union of India

S. ](, Das .T.

1:114

SUI>HEME COUHT Hl~POHTS

[1958]

tioned therein fall within the cadre of As.,istant Station Directors, and those categories do not include Public Rela tions Officers. Learned Counsel for the appellant has referred us to Appendix I of the A.I.R. Manual, Vol. II, which gives the scales of pay and classification of posts in the All India Radio. He has pointed out that in that appendix the posts of Assistant Station Directors (no. 77), Listener Research Officer (no. 78) and Public Relations Officer <ito. 79) all come within Central Services, Class 11. and bear the same scale of pay and they also belong to the Programme side. We have already pointed out that the same scale of pay is not the only test; nor does ·the fact that all the above mentioned posts belong to Class II determine the question whether they belong to the same grade or cadre. We have referred to the constitution of the cadre of Assistant Station Directors in 1950, which shows clearly enough that Public Relations Officers do not belong to that cadre. Many anomalous results will follow if the scale of pay or classification of the service, wen> taken to be the sole test for determining whether the posts belong to the same grade or cadre. The appendix referred to by !eared coun sel for the appellant shows that the post of Assistant Director of Monitoring Services bears the same scale of pay and also belongs to Class II; yet it is not suggested that that post has any cadre or grade affinity with the posts of Assistant Sta tion Directors. A chemist (no. 106) and an A'8istant Engineer (no. 105) have the same scales of pay and both belong to Class II; but they do not belong to the same grade or cadre; otherwise a strange result will follow in that a chemist hold ing a quasi-permanent status will be entitled to be appointed as an Engineer. on the reduction of the chemist's post.

On behalf bf the appellant it has been next argued that the order dated December J 4; I 95J. contains a olear admis sion to the effect that the post of Public Relations Officer belongs to the same grade as Assistant Station Director, and the order shows that it was made after unofficial consultation

1968

K. R. S·riniva.sn.n v. [l nion of India

S. K. Das .T.

S.O.R.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

1315

the

the

particular

falct and held binding on

order by which a separte

with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It is con tended that this ad'mission should be accepted as an admis respondent, sion of respondent has not produced particularly when the cadre, if any, of Public Relations Officers might have been created, in order to disprove the correctness of the admission. We a.re unable tO accept this argument. An admission is not conclusive proof of the matter admitted, though it may in certain circumstances operate as an estoppel. It is not suggest ed that a question of estoppel arises in this case (a point which we shall again advert tb); at best, it may be said that the respondent having once admitted that the post of Public Relations Officer belonged to the same grade, the admission casts upon the respondent the burden of proving .that what was dt;liberately asserted on December 14, 1953, is not a fact. It is unfortunate that this case was summarily dismissed in the High Court and the respondent was not called upon to make an affidavit and file the necessary documents at that ·stage. We have now a copy of the letter dated December 15/28, 1944 by which the nine new posts of liaison officer Oater designated as Public Relations Officer) were created and the let~r dated March 20, 1950, by which the cadre of Assistant Station Directors was deolared. These letters we have already rekrred to, and they leave little room for doubt in the matter: they show clearly enough that the posts of Public Relations Officers do not belong to the same grade or cadre as the posts of Assistant Station Directors. As. a matter of fact, the respondent said so in the memorandum of June 9, 1953, though later, on December 14, 1953, a different statement was made. It has been submitted before us that even in the impugned order of September 7, 1955, the res pondent does not say that a mistake was made; the respondent merely states that the appellant was irregulaJrly transferred as Assistant Station Director and was irregularly allowed. to carry a quasi-permanent status to the new post. We think

1316

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

[1958)

1958

K. R. Sriniva.aan v. Unio-n of India

8. K. V....T.

that the impugned order of September 7, 1955, must be read as a whole, and so read, it shows that Government had earlier made mistake in thinking that the posts of Public Relations Officers belonged to the same grade or cadre as the posts of Assistant Station Direcltors, and the mistake was rectified when the Union Public Service Commission pointed it out.

We shall now consider the further question if the order dated December 14. 1953, can be read a's a separate or inde pendent declaration in favour of the appellant in respect of the post of an Assistant Station Director, under rr. 3 and 4(a) this of the Temporary Service Rules. We question from four points of view : (I) whether on the terms of the order itself, it can be read as an independent declara tion under the relevant rules; ('.~) whether the relevant autho rity intended the order as an independent declaration under rr. 3 and 4(a) and if the parties thereto understood the ·order in that sense; (3) if the order is so read, whether consultation with the Public Service Commission was necessary under r. 4(b); and (4) whether any estoppel arises out of the order.

shall consider

It seems to us that the order itself is very clear and if it is contrasted with the earlier order dated May 23, 1952 (by which a declaration was indeed made in favour of the appel lant under rr. 3 and 4 of the Temporary Service Rules in res pect of the post of Public Relations Officer), it is at once clear that the order dated December lfl, 1953, is not a declaration under rr. 3 and 4 of the said rules. What does the order state in terms? Firstly, it states that the appellant was appointed in a quasi-permanent capacity to the post of Public Relations Officer; secondly, it states that all the posts of Public Rela tions Officer are held in abeyance except.one; thirdly, it states that as the post of Public Relations Officer belonged to the same grade as Assistant Station Director carrying identical scales of pay, the appellant was appointed as Assistant Station Director in September 1952; and fourthly, it states that under the instructions contained in a particular office memorandum issued from the Ministry of Home Affairs the appellant was entitled to carry the qumi-permanent status of

1958

K. S. Stinh:al!t1n

". Unum of India

S. K . .lirr,, J.

S.C.H.

SUPHEME COUH'l' REPORTS

.1-:U7

his former post of Public Rel<itions Officer while holding the post of AssistanrStation Director. The order means what it in terms states and must operate according to its tenor; and if the order is read as a whole, without stralining or perverting the language, it seems dear that it is not a declaration under rr. 3 and 4 of the Temporary Service Rules. It merely gives effect to the instructions contained in the Home Office memo randum referred to therein and states that the appellant will carry with him his quasi-permanent status of the former post It is while holding the post of Assistant Station Director. obvious that there cannot be declaration of quasi-permanent status in two posts of different grarles or different cadres simultaneously and at the same time. The order dated December 14, 1953, makes it abuntantly clear t\lat the appel lant retained his quasi-permanent status in the former post of Public Relations Officer and on the mistaken view that the post of Public Relations Officer belonged to the same grade as Assistant Station Director, he was allowed to carry the same status while holding the new post. This is sufficiently borne out by a reference to the Home Office memorandum No. 54/ 136/51 N.G.S. dated April 24, 1952, a copy of which has been placed before us. That memorandum said, "The undersigned is directed to say that a question has been raised whether a quasi-permanent Government servant on transfer from one office to another, should be allowed to retain a lien on the post to which he has been appointed in a quasi permanent capacity. A reference in this connection is invited to sub-paragraph (c) of the Explanatory Memorandum of Rule 2 of the Central Civil Services (Temporary Service) Rules, 1949, under which a government servant who is declar ed as quasi-permanent in respect of ai particular post can be shifted from one post to another within the cadre or grade concerned due to reduction or other causes without his rights being affected. In other words, .if a quasi-permanent employee is transferre<l from one office to another . within the same grade, he will carry with him his quasi-permanent status." The order dated December 14, 1953, purported to give effect

1YJ8

...

K. 8. Sn'.nitYMtUt

Unirm of India

S. K. Dru J.

1318

SUPHElVIE COUHT HEPORTS

[1958j

to the decision embodied in the aforesaid memorandum, and was in no sense an independent de.claration under rr. 3 and 4 of the Ter.1porary Service Rules. If it were an independent declaration in respect of a different and new post, a reference t<J the office memorandum was wholly unnecessary; it was equally unnecessary to recite that the appellant held a quasi permanent status in his former post and that the former post belonged to the same grade as the new post and, therefore, he carried his former status to the latter post. In the order itself there is no reference to rr. 3 and 4 a:nd it is in sharp contrast to the order dated May 23, 1952, which was indeed a declaration under the S3Jid rules. To hold that the order dated December 14. 1953, is an independent declaration under rr. 3 and 4 is to run counter to the entire tenor of the dooo ment.

It is worthy of note

that under r. 4(a), a declaration issued under r. 3 shall specify the particular post or particular grade of posts within a cadre in respect of which it is issued and the date from which it is to take effect. The order dated December 14, 1953, does not state that the appellant is declared to hold a quasi-permanent status with regard to the the contrary, it states post of Assistant Station Director; M that he carrie~ with him the quasi-permanent status of his former post. H the order dated December 14, 1953, were an independent declaration in respect of the post of Assistant Station Director. it would have specified that post and also the date with effect from which the order was to take effect in regard to that post. We are therefore satisfied that the order dated December 14, 1953 cannot, on its terms. be treat ed as a declaration under rr. 3 and 4 of the Temporary Service Rules.

It may be stated here that learned counsel for the appel lant did not urge that the order dated December 14, 1953, was an independent declaration under rr. 3 and 4 or that his client understood the order in that sense. It is also evident from the various documents in the record that the order was never intended to be a declaration under rr. 3 and 4 of the Temporary Service Rules; and the appellant himself took the

f.?!j8

.A .. S. •'-'rin.itWJan v. Un.ion of India

S. K. D1.,,J.

S.C.R

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

131!:1

order as merely giving effect to the office memorandum cited therein, the main plank of the appellant's case being that the post of Assistant Station Director is in the same grade as the post of Public Relations Officer. The appellant was appoint ed to officiate as Assistant Station Director in a purely tempo rary capacity until further orders on September 13, 1952. Even before that date the appellant was asked to apply for the post of an Assistant Station Director through the Public Service Commission. On June 9, 1953, long after the appel lant had been appointed to officiate as A~sistant Station Director, he was told! that he could not claim any protection in the post of Assistant Station Director on account of his quasi-permanent status as Public Relations Officer. Even in the letter which the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting wrote to the Public Serv!ce Commission on June 22, 1954, it was stated : "The Commission were not consulted at the time of shifting of quasi-permanent status of Shri Srinivasan from the grade of Public Relations Officer to that of Assistant Station Director in view of the provision of sub-para. (c) of the Explanatory Memorandum of Rule 2 of the Central Civil Service (Temporary Service) Rules which states that a Govern ment servant who is declared as quasi-permanent in respect of a particular post may be shifted from one post to another within the cadre or grade concerned due to reduction in the ·number of posts or other causes. Such shifting does not affect his rights. As the posts of Assistant Station Director and Public Relations Offioer cc;rry the same grade of pay, consul tation with the Commission in this case was not considered necessary". This letter makes it abundantly dear that the appropriate authority never intended the order dated Decem ber 14, 1953 to be .a declaraition under rr. 3 and 4 of the Temporaqr Service Rules.

Even the appellant did not take the order in that sense. In all his representations, the- appellant's plea was that the post of Public Relations Officer in which he held a quasi permanent status was in the same grade as that of Assistant Station Director and therefore he carried his status in the former post to his· new post. He never pleaded anywhere

19·)~

]\. S. 8rinirn,1ci.n Vo l!1timt n.f lnclia.

1320

SUPREME CUUHT REPOHTS

ll!)58].

that the order dated December 14, 1953, was an independent declaration in respect of the post of Assistant Station Direc tor. We refer first to para. 17 of the appellant's writ peti tion to the Punjab High Court. In that paragn~ph the appel lant s>iid: "That after four months' careful consideration and discussion between the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Home Ministry and the Union Public Service Commission, Government issued an ·order dated 14-12-'53 declaring that the petitioner will carry quasi-permanent status in his new post of· Assistant Station Director as per rules relating to the transfer of quasi-permanent officers," In paragraph 30 the appellant again stated that the post of Assistant Station Director and Public Relations Officer were constituted and recognised to be in the same grade and' under r. 2(c) of the Temporary Service Rules the shifting from one post to another in the same grade did not affect his status; in other words, the appellant also understood the order dated December 14, l953, not as an independent order declaring his quasi-permanent status in the post of Assistant Station Director. but merely as giving effect to r. 2(c) of the Tempo rary Service Rules by reason of the fact, which now appears to be incorrect. that the post of Public Relations Officer was in the same grade as that of Assistant Station Director. Even in his statement of the case, the appellant stated-"It may. be emphasised that the Government in their order dated J 4-l 2-'53 reiterated the appellant's quasi-permanent. status in the post of Assistant Station Director, not on the basis of the appellant's repr~sentation but on the authority of the Home Ministry's order No. 54/136/51-NGS, dated 24-4-'52 relating to the' lien of quasi-permanent employees". The reference to the Home Ministry's office memorandum shows how the appellant understood the order dated Decem ber 14, 1953.

Rule 4(b) of the Temporary Service Rules states that when recruitment to a specified post is required to he made in consultation with the Public Service Commission, no declaration under rr. 3 and 4(a) shall be issued except after

J9;l8

K. 1't. 8n'nf1·a.~an v. U11.ion nj lmlia

8. K. Das J.

S.C.R.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

consultation with the Commission. In the view which we have taken of the order dated December 14. 1953, it is not really necessary to decide in the present case whether the provisions of r. 4(b) are merely directory or manda:tory. It is sufficient to state that the Public Service Commission was not con sulted before the order dated December 14, 1953, was issued, and the appointing authority did not intend the order as a declarntion under rr. 3 and 4(a). In State of U.P. v. Manbo dhan Lal Srivastava(') it has been held that the provisions of Art. 320(3)(c) of the Constitution. as respedts consultation of the Public Service Commission on all disciplinary matters affecting a person serving the Government of India or a State Government, are not mandatory in spite of the use of the word 'shall' therein. That decision is founded on the follow ing grounds : (I) the proviso to Art. 320 itself indicates that in certain cases or classes of cases the Commission need not be consulted; (2) the requirement of consulting the Commis sion does not extend to making the advice of the Commission binding on Government as respects disciplinary matters; and (3) on a proper construction of the Article, it does not confer any right or privilege on an individual public servant. We may point out that none of these grounds have any applica tion so far as r. 4(b) of the Temporary Service Rules is con cerned. Article 320 may not be mandatory as against the President; but a subordinate appointing authority who has to make a declaration under the rules cannot ignore or abro gate the very rules under which he has to make the declara tion. Quasi-permanent status is a creature of the rules, and .r. 4(b) requires that no declaration under r. 3 shall be made except after consultation with the Public Service Commission (when recruitment to a specified post is required to be made in consultation with the Public Servic:e Commission). An officer cannot claim th'e benefit of r. 3 and ignore at the. same time the condition laid down in r. 4(b); in other words, he cannot claim the benefit of a part of the rules and refuse to be bound by the conditions of the other part.

(') [1958] S.C.R. 5.'t.'l

L/S4SCI-9

K.8. Srinivasan v. Union of India

8.K.Da.J.

J322

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

l H15t! J

Now. as to estoppcl : in our view .. the appellant was not misled in any way as to his quasi-permanent status-a! status which he undoubtedly held in the post of Public Relations Officer; the mistake that was made was in thinking that the post of Assisla!nt Station pirector was in the same grade as that of Public Relations -Officer and then giving effect to the Home office memorandum, referred to previously, on the basis of that mistake. We do not think that any question of estoppel really arises, and in fairness to learned counsel for the appellant it must be stated that he has not founded the case on estoppel.

Learned counsel for the appellant has contested the cor rectness of the opinion of the Union Public Service Commis sion and has suggested that the Commission had indulged in an officious opinion, because under the Union Public Ser vice Commission (Consultation) Regulations. it was not neces sary to consult the Commission. Our attention has been drawn to Regulation 3, which reads as follows so far as it is relevant for our purpose-

"'3. Jt shall not be necessary to consult the Commission

in regard to the selection for appointment-

(a) to a Central Service, Class I, of any Officer in .the Armed Forces of the Union or any officer who is already a member of an All India Service_. Central Service. Class I, a Railway Service, Class I.

(b) to a Central Servioe. Class II, of any officer from another Service. Class I or from a Central Service, Class JI or of any officer in the Armed Forces of the Union or of a Railway Service, Class JI;

Note: -·-In this regulation. the term 'officer" does not

include a person in 'temporary employment'."

The correspbndence with the Union Public Service Com mission has now been. placed before us. That correspondence shows that the Union Public Service Commission took the view that Regulation 3 did not apply to an officer whb was in 'temporary employment' in the sense in which that expression

K.R. lirini11n.8<1n v. Union <1 India

R.K. Da•.J.

S.C.R.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

was used when the Regulations were made, and "quasi permanent servant" a.s defined in the Temporary Service Rules also meant temporary service, but subject to certain benefits in the matter of leave etc., and certain safeguards in the matter of termination of service. Whether the Union Public Service Commission is right in this view or not we are not called upon to decide, particularly when the Union Public Service Commission is not before us. It is enough for us to hold that the post of Assistant Station Director is not a pbst in the same grade or cadre as that of the Public Relat;ons Officer. That being the position, the appellant had no quasi-permanent status in the post of Assistant Station Director and his service was liable to be terminated when there was a reduction in the number of posts of Public Rela tions Officers within the meaning of cl. (ii); nor was he enHtled to the benefit of the proviso to cl. (ii) so far. as the post of Assistant Station Director was concerned.

For the reasons given above, we hold that there has been no violation of the constitutional guarantee ~nder Art. 311(2) in the case of the appellant. The appeal must, there- fore, be dismissed.

As to the petition under Art. 32 pf the Constitution, we do not think that there has been any .such discrimination against the appellant as is contemplated by Arts. 14 and 16 of the Constitution. It is true that others who did not hold a quaBi-permanent status were subsequently appointe4 as Assistant Station Director through selection by the Union Public Service Commission. We can only say that it is unfor tunate that the appellant was not so selected; but that does not involve. the breach of a•ny fundamental right.

In conclusion we wish to say that apart from any con, sideration of mere legal right, this is a hard case. The appel lant was in service for about nine years without any blemish and his service was terminated on the reduction of certain posts~ he was told-wrongly it now appears-that he had a quasi-permanent status in the post of Assistant Station Direc tor. The appellant states that the Union Public Service Com-

L/S4SCI-9(a)

K. 8. 8ri1livasan v. Union of Jmli"

S.K.DasJ.

i:l24

SUPRE~LE COURT REPORTS

[1958]

mission did not consider his suitability for the post of Assist ant Station Director, because he claimed quasi-permanent status in that post. The correspondence with the Union Public Service Commission shows that the appellant's case was not considered' from the promotion quota of 20 per cent because he held a post which was not (to use an expression of the Commission) 'in the field for promotion'. If the appel lant is right in his statement that he was not considered for direct recruitment because he claimed quasi-permanent status, then obviously there is an apparent injustice; the appellant is then deprived of consideration of his cl~im both from the promotion and direct quotas. We invite the attention of the authorities concerned to this aspect of the case and hope that they will consider the appellant's case sympathetically and give him proper relief.

With these observations, we dismiss the appeal and the petition, but in the circumstances there will be no order for costs.

BMe J,

BosE J .-With great respect I disagree.

The ~ppellant's services as Public Relations Officer, All India Radio, were terminated because of the reduction in that post. There was no other post of equal status in that grade or cadre, so I agree that he had no right to any continuance of employment.

But he was appointed to officiate as Assistant Station Director in a purely temporary capacity "until further orders", on September 13, 1952. (Order No. 1 (101)-51/52).

Later, on December 14, 1953, further orders were passed by the same authority (Order No. (113)-51/52). These orders confirm'ed the order appointing the appellant Assistant Sta tion Director and concluded-

"Under the provision contained in the Ministry of Home Affairs Office Memorandum No. 54/136/51-NGS, dated the 24th April, 1952, Shri Srinivasan will carry with him the quasi-permanent status of his former post of Public Rela tions Officer while holding the post of Assistant Station Director."

1968

K. S. SrinifJa8a11 v. Uni01> of India

B08eJ.

S.C.R.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

1325

This order is a "further order" and, in my judgment, it clearly and unequivocally makes him "quasi-permanent" in the new post.

It is true that this was done under a mistake which was· discovered at a Ia.ier date but the mistake is that of Govern ment and others cannot be made to suffer because of the uni lateral mistake of Government. I had occasion to observe, while delivering the judgment of the Court in The Commis sioner of Police, Bombay v. Gordhandas Bhanji('), that-

"Public orders, publicly made, in exercise of a statutory authority cannot be construed in the light of explanations subsequently given by the officer making the order' of what he meant, or of what was in his mind, or what he intended to do" (and I add in this case, "what he subsequently dis covered"). "Public orders made by public authorities arc~ meant to have public effect and are intended to affect the actings and conduct of those to whom they are addressed the and must be construed objectively with reference language used in the order itself".

to

The principle underlying those observations applies with equal force here.

Here is a man who was in no way at fault. He had served faithfully in various capacities from May 1, 1946. His services were terminated on September 3, ·1952, with effect from October 6, 1952. That was not his fault nor wa:s it the fault of Government. It was just the fortunes of war. The post was "reduced" and there was no more room for him. No one can quarrel with that.

But before the termina.tion took effect he was continued in service in another post on September 13, 1952, in a purely ·temporary capacity "until further orders''. There was conse quently no break and he was still in service on December 14, 1953, when he was told that he was quasi-permanent in the post of Assistant Station Director.

He accepted this position and acted on it and continued to serve in it for nearly two years. That, naturally enough.

,

(

1

) [1952] S.C.R. 135, 140.

/9!j8

K • .'\,'. Srt'11ivusaii v. U11iun (4 /1ulia

1326

SUPREME COUHT REPORTS

[1958]

has lessened his chances of seeking other employment be cause after a man reaches a certain age it becomes increas ingly difficult to find new employment. I do not say this was Government's fault, for no one can be blamed for not know ing where they arc in this wilderness of rules and regulations and coined words and phrases with highly technical and artificial meanings; and I think Government did all they could to assuage the hardships of an unfortunate situation. But equally. it was not the appellant's fault and in a case like this, a broad equity requires that the one least at fault should not be made to suffer.

The old technically rigid conceptions of contra.ct and equity have given place in modern times to a juster apprecia tion of justice, and the fusion of law and equity in one juris diction has resulted in the emergence of a new equity in England more suited to modern ideas of human needs and human values. Lord Denning has cited instance· after instance in his book "The Changing Law" to show how this has come about and how it is still in the process of formation, flexible and fluid with the drive behind to do real justice between man and man, and man and the State, ra.ther than to continue to apply a set of ancient hide-bound technicalities forged and fashioned in a wholly different world with a different conscience and very different evaluations of human dignity and human rights. At pp. 54 and 55 Lord Denning. sums up this new orientation in legal thinking thus:

"In coming to those decisions, the Courts expressly ap plied a. doctrine of equity which says a court of equity will not allow a person to enforce his strict legal rights when it would be inequitable to allow him to do so.

This doctrine warrants the proposition that the courts will not allow a. person to go back on a promise which was intended to be binding, intended to be acted on, and has in fact been acted on."

1 ·am not advocating sudden and wild departure from doctrines and precedents that have been finally settled but

S.C.R.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

1327

·

I do contend that we, the ·highest Court in the land giving final form and shape to the laws of this country, should ad- minister them with the same breadth of vision and under- standing of the needs of the times as do England. The underlying principles of justice have not cha.nged but the complex pattern of life that is never static requires a fresher outlook and a timely and vigorous mould- ing of old principles to suit new conditions and ideas and ideals. It is true that the Courts do not legislate but it is not true that they do not mould and make the law in their processes of interpretation.

the Courts

1958 _ . . nnit7fl&Jn v.

8 8

K"

in Union of India

Bose J.

Now, what was the position here when looked at broadly and fairly as an upright and just juryman of plain common sense and understanding would do? Here was a man with several years of service and with no blemish on his conduct and reputation. He was about to lose his job. Government felt that that was hard and sought ways and means to right a wrong-not wrong in the legal sense, for no one was at fault, but wrong in the deeper understanding of men who fook. with sympathy at the lot of those who have to suffer for no fault of theirs. Government found, or thought they found, that they could put him in' another post and they actually did so. They found that in his old post he had certain protections and they wanted and intended that he should continue to have them. Under r. 3 of the Temporary ·Service Rules that they could give him those protections· in a very simple way, namely, by issuing a decla ration that he was quasi-permanent in bis new post. He was fully eligible for it. He had been in continuous Government service for more than three years. The appointing authority was satisfied of his qualifications, work and character for employment in a quasi-permanent capacity. The tatters of · Government to the Union Public Service Commission bear that out, quite apart from the orders of September 13, 1952, and December 14, 1953, which would not have been made if Government had not considered him a fit and proper per son. How can it be contended that Government did not in-

they found

,

1328

SUPRJ<;"JE COURT REPOBTS

[1958]

19/iS

K. 8, 8rittii:a.'1an. v. Uniun of lmliu

lJO$e J.

tend him to have a quasi-permanent position in his new post simply because they said that they wanted him to have the same protections as he had before? It is not the mere form of the words that matters but the meaning that they were intended to convey and do convey.

I am not concerned at this stage with whether Govern that it could ·confer this ment was mistaken in thinking status on him but with what they intended to do as a fact and what they actually did do.

They said that he "will carry with him the quasi-perma ·nent status of his former post of Public Relations Officer while holding the post of Assistant Station Director." What else can this mean?- especially when coupled with their previous conduct showing their anxiety to do the just and right thing by this unfortunate man, except that beca.use he was protected before he will continue to be protected in the same way. With the deepest respect I consider it ultra techni cal and wrong to construe this as ·conditional on Government haVing the power. The point at this stage is not whether Government had the right and the power but what they in tended; and about that I have no doubt whatever. They wanted, and intended, and were straining every nerve, to do the right and just thing by him and to give him the same status as he had before, in the matter of pay, in the matter of s.;n.ice and in the protections that he had in his other post.

The interpretations that' Government put upon their order at a later date are not relevant to coqstrue it but it is a -matter of satisfaction that Government themselves viewed their action in the same light as I am doing .now. In their reply to the Public Service Commission dated June 22, 1954; Government said-

"The Commission were not consulted at the time of shifting of quasi;permanent status of Shri Srinivasan from the grade of Public Relations Officer to that of Assistant s . tatron ' 1.it is ·clear to me that Government intended, not merely to move him .from one .post to the other, but als6 to shift the'

" · rrector .. ..... ,,. . . .

· v·

·;

'

'

. 1958

K. S. 'Srinivasan v. Union of India

Bose J.

S.C.R.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

1329

. status and that can mean nothing less than that they intended him to have this status in the new post.

I turn next to the powers of Government. I agree that if they had no power their action would be of no avail how ever well they may have meant. But r. 4(a) of the Central Civil Services (Temporary Service) Rules, 1949, gives them that power. It says that :

I

"A declaration issued under rule 3 shall specify the particular post.. ............. in respect of which it is issued." It does not require the declaration to be couched in any particular form of words or in the shape of a magic incanta- · tion. All that it requires is a simple declaration and that declaration is to be found in the order of December 14, 1953.

· The only question then is. whether r. 4(b) renders the ·declaration null and void because the Public Service Com mission was not consulted. The rule runs-

"Where recruitment to a specified post is required to be made in consultation with the .Federal Public' Service Com mission, no such declaration shall be issued except after con- sultation with the Commission,"

·

The essence of the prohibition lies in the words underlined : "Is required to be made." Just what do these words mean?

Now I have no doubt that in the ordinary way these words should be construed to mean what they say. But so, I would have thought at first blush, do the words in Art. 320(3) of the Constitution. They are equally emphatic. They are equally imperative. But this Court held in the $tate of U:P. v. Manbodhan Lal Srivastava('), after a careful exami nation of the whole position, that they do not mean what they seem to say and. that they are directive only and not mandatory.

·

Nor is this Court alone in so thinking. The Federal Court construed a similar provision in s. 256 of the Govern ment of India Act, 1935, in the same way : (Biswanath· Khemka v. The King Emperor)('); and so did the Privy Council in a Cai1adian case in Montreal Street Railway Com-

(') [1958] S.C.R. 533.

(') [1945] F.C.R. 99.

1958

K. S. S•iniva.mn v. Union vf India

Boae J.

1330

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

[1958]

pany v. Normandin('). Their Lordships said at page 175 that when a statute prescribes a, formality for the performance of a public duty, the formality is to be regarded as directory only if to hold it as mandatory would. cause serious general inconvenience or inju,tice. Will it not cause injustice here? Why should we take a narrower view of a mere set of rules than this Court and the Federal Court and the Privy Council have taken of the Cons{itution and the Act of a Legislature and even of a supreme Parliament? Why should we give , greater sanctity and more binding force to rules and regula tions than to our own Constitution? Why should be hesitate to do justice with firmness and vigour?

If we apply the same principles here,

the words "required to be made" in r. 4(b) lose their sting and the way is free and open for. us to do that justice for which the Courts exist.

then

temper

Here is Government straining to

justice with mercy and we, the Courts, are out Shylocking Shylock in demanding a pound of flesh, and why? because "t'is writ in the bond." I will have none of it. Ali I can see is a man who has been wronged and I can see a plain way out. I would take it.

I am not quarrelling with the interpretation which the Public Service Commission has placed upon these rules. I have no doubt that they should be observed, and are meant to be observed; and I have equally rio doubt "that there are constitutional sanctions which can be applied if they are flouted. But the sanction is political and not judicial and an act done in contravention of them cannot be challenged in a Court of Law. It is legally valid. Also, the fact that Government would not have acted in this way if they had realised that they were under a directive duty of the Consti tution to consult the Union Public Service Commission first cannot alter the character of their act or affect its legal conse quences. They had the power and they exercised it, conse> quently, their act became binding despite their mistake. That is how I would interpret the law and administer justice.

(') [1917) A.C. 170

s:c.R.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

1331

I would allow the appeal and the petition with costs. BY COURT: The appeal and the petition are dismissed.

There will be no order as to costs.

19ii8

K. IS. Srinii-a.san v. U·iii011. of India

Appeal and Petition di.imissed.

Bu•e J,

KASHINATH SANKARAPPA WANI v. NEW AKOT COTTON GINNING & PRESSING CO., LTD.

1958

February 18.

(BHAGWkTI, J. L. KAPUR and GAJENoRAGADKAR JJ.)

Limitation-Suit on deposit receipt-Acknowledgment of iiability-EUidence-Balance sheet obtained from Registrar of Companies-Admissibility-Presumption. of awthenticitu andi corr.ectness-Commercial Documents Evidence Act (XXX of 1939), s. 3(b).

The appellant advanced various sums of money to the res pondent, in lieu of which the respondent passed a deposit receipt for 12 months from August 1, 1939 to July 31, 1940. On June 16, 1944 the appellant filed a suit to recover the amount with in terest on the allegation that the amount became due on May 17, 1941 when the demand for the amount was made and limita tion for the suit expired on May 17. 1944 and the suit was filed on the reopening day of the Court thE>reafter. The appellant also relied upon the acknowledgments of his debt by the i:es pondent in the resolution passed by the Board of Directors on May 20, 1941 and in the balance sheet of the respondent for the year 1940-41 dated October 10, 1941:

Held, that the suit was barred by limitation as the monies due under the deposit receipt became payable on July :n, 1941 and as no 'agreement had been proved th<it the monies due under the deposit receipt were re-payable on demand.

Held further, that limitation was not saved by tile alleged.

acknowledgments.

The resolution Qf the Board of Directors merely· proposed ·a settlement of a claim of the appellant, which, if accepted by the appe}lant, was to be placed before a general meeting of the share-holders. The resolution onfy referred to a past liability of the respondent to the appellant and it could not be construed