ORDER

Permission to file SLP granted. Impleadment application allowed.

2. Delay condoned.

3. Leave granted.

4. The short question that arises in these appeals is whether the post of Regional Transport Officer in the Department of Transport can be filled in by transfer of Section Officers of the Secretariat and Superintendents of the Office of the State Transport Authority. The recruitment to the posts of Regional Transport Officers are governed by the rules known as Andhra Pradesh Transport Services Rules framed under Article 309 of the Constitution (hereinafter referred to as the rules). Rule 3(a) provides the method of recruitment to the post of Regional Transport Officer. Rule 3(a) reads as under :-

Category IV : Regional Transport Officer-

1. By direct recruitment

2. By promotion from among Motor Vehicles Inspectors

3. By recruitment by transfer from among :

(i) Superintendents of the Office of the State Transport Authority.

(ii) Superintendents of the Sub-ordinate Offices; and

(iii) Section Officers of the Secretariat except Law, Finance and Legislatiure Departments.

5. Rule 3(a)