· SUSHILA DEVI ETC. v. STATE OF HARYANA AND ANR.

The following Order of the Court was delivered :

Leave granted.

We have heard learned counsel on both sides.

The respondents in their counter-affidavit have explained that initial- ly, as many as 230 posts of Supervisors were notified by the Subordinate Services Selection Board indicating therein the number of posts available to various categories. It is stated that initially 57 posts were reserved for t the Scheduled Castes, 28 posts for Backward Classes, 31 posts for Ex-ser- vicemen and 114 for general candidates. Subsequently, the Board had 1092

SUS!-l!LADEV!v. STATE 1093 ~ . clarified that the carried forward posts shall be included for the reserved A candidates. Consequently, 97 posts were reserved for the Scheduled Castes, 38 posts for Backward Classes and 72 posts for the Ex-servicemen. Out of the general posts due to the selected candidates those who moved the High Court obtained stay orders and 136 vacancies were occupied by such candidates. Consequently, 24 posts remained to be filled. B The appellants approached to the High Court by tiling the writ petitions seeking similar directions for their appointment on regular basis. Jn the counter-affidavit filed in the High Court it was stated that they were appointed on ad hoc basis against the reserved vacancies and that, there- fore, the High Court has held that the appellants cannot be appointed in the reserved vacancies. Thus, these appeals by special leave.

It is sought to be contended by the appellants. that since the appel- lants were duly selected by the Subordinate Services Selection Board, the appellants are entitled to be appointed to the vacancies of the general candidates and they are not seeking any placement to the posts meant for the reserved categories enumerated hereinbcfore.

The learned counsel for the respondent stated that 24 posts are available to the general candidates selected by the Selection Board. In view of the fact that a large number of persons have gone to the Court and obtained stay orders they are continuing as per interim directions issued by the High Court.

In view of the above stand of the respondents, we do not adjudicate the dispute in these appeals. It is needless to mention that the Selection Board would finalise the select lists in the order of merit of all the candidates as per its procedure including reserved calegories and would communicate to the Government who would offer order of appointment to the selected candidates found eligible, after confidential verification in terms of their order of merit mentioned in the selection list. If the appel- lants come within their zone in the orders of merit, they are ordered to be considered for regular appointment to the posts meant for the general candidates. All the appointment should accordingly be made.

The appeals are accordingly disposed. No costs.

R.P. Appeals disposed of. H