JUDGMENT

Pattanaik, J.-The appellant, on the basis of a competitive examination held by the Union Public Service Commission was selected in the year 1966 under Rule 12 of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service Rules, 1962 (hereinafter referred to as the Rules ) and joined in the Ministry of Commerce as Lower Division Clerk on 7-3-1967. While she was so continuing, in November 1969, the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, introduced a Zoning Scheme for promotion to the post of Upper Division Clerk from that of the Lower Division Clerk. The aforesaid scheme had been promulgated, as it was found that there exist considerable disparities in the promotional prospects of the different categories of staff in different cadres, because of decentralisation. It was decided that while the decentralised set up would continue, but unevenness of promotion could be remedied by prescribing zones for promotion in the decentralised grades. Recruitment to the post of Upper Division Grade is required to be made in accordance with Rule 11 of the Rules. Under the aforesaid Rule, substantive vacancies in the Upper Division Grade in any cadre can be filled up by substantive appointments