Judgment

S.C. Agrawal, J.-Leave granted in all Special Leave Petitions.

2. What is meant by “seniority-cum-merit”, the criterion prescribed for promotion to the post of Area Manager/Senior Manager in the Re­gional Rural Banks under the Regional Rural Banks (Appointment & Promotions of Officers and Other Employees) Rules, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as `the Rules’)? This is the common question which falls for consideration in these appeals.

3. The Regional Rural Banks have been established under the provisions of the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’). Section 17 of the Act empowers a Regional Rural Bank to appoint such number of officers and other officers as it may consider necessary or desirable, in such manner as may be prescribed, for the efficient performance of its functions and to determine the terms and conditions of their appointment and service. Section 24 of the Act lays down that in the discharge of its functions a Regional Rural Bank shall be guided by such directions, in regard to matters of policy involving public interest, as the Central Government may, after con­sultation with the National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Develop­me