Judgment

HEGDE, J.: These are appeals by certificate. They raise one common question of law for consideration. That question is whether the second proviso to the rule relating to the appointments to the posts of Deputy Collectors in the Bombay Civil Services Classification and Recruitment Rules as well as clause (3) of the Rules framed under Art. 309 of the Constitution by the Governor of Gujarat relating to the appointments of Deputy Collectors and violative of Arts. 14 and 16 of the Constitution. The High Court of Gujarat has come to the conclusion that those provisions are violative of Articles 14 and 16. Aggrieved by that decision the appellants have brought these appeals.

2. Till the year 1950, the posts of Deputy Collectors were filled by Bombay Government partly by direct recruitment and partly by promotion from the cadre of Mamlatdars. On February 6, 1950, the Government decided to fill up those posts only by promotion from the cadre of Mamlatdars. At the same time it decided to introduce the system of direct recruitment to the posts of Mamlatdars who in the first instance were to be on probation for two years and if found suitable would be confirmed. It was further decided that 50 per cent of the posts of Deputy Collectors will be reserved for promotion of direct recruits in the cadre of Mamlatdars and the other 50 per cent for the promotee Mamlatdars. In 1959, the Bombay Government introduced a change in the mode of recruitment to the posts of Deputy Collectors. In pursuance of the resolution of the Government of Bombay, the Bombay Civil Service Classification and Recruitment Rules were changed and the amended Rules read as follows:

"(1) Appointment to the posts of Deputy Collector shall be made either by nomination or by promotion of suitable Mamlatdars.

Provided that the ratio of appointment by nomination and by promotion shall as far as possible, be 50:50.

Provided further that half the vacancies reserved for appointment by promotion shall be filled by directly recruited Mamlatdars who have put in at least seven years service in the post including the period spent on probation.

(2) Appointment by nomination shall be made on the result of a competitive examination in accordance with the rules hereto appended as Annexure I, from among candidates who.

(a) are not less than 20 and more than 25 years of age;

(b) possess a Bachelor s degree in Arts, Science, Agriculture, Commerce, Law, Engineering or a similar or higher degree of a recognised University; and

(c) Possess adequate knowledge of Marathi or Gujarati

(3) Candidates appointed by nomination shall be on probation for a period of two years, the probation being regulated according to the rules append hereto as annexure II .

(4) xx xx xx".

As a result of the second proviso in Rule 2 referred to above, out of 50 per cent of the promotees from the posts of Mamlatdars to those of the Deputy Collectors, 25 per cent was reserved for directly recruited Mamlatdars. In 1966, after the formation of the State of Gujarat, the Government of Gujarat slightly altered the recruitment rules relating to the posts of Deputy Collectors. The relevant rules may now be quoted:

"(1) Recruitment shall be made on temporary costs which are existing since two years and which are likely to be continued for one year and more excepting those posts which have been created for special work in Revenue Departments and are permanent posts in the cadre of Deputy Collectors.

(2) Appointment on this post shall be made in either of the following ways:

(a) By promotion of Mamlatdars of Gujarat Civil Service Class on proved merit and efficiency.

(b) By direct selection on the result of competitive examination in accordance with rules made by Government.

(3) The ratio of appointment in the available vacancies, by direct selection and promotion would be 50 : 50. But half the vacancies reserved for appointment by promotion shall be filled by directly recruited Mamlatdars who have put in at least seven year s service includ