JUDGMENT

Mrs. SUJATA V. MANOHAR, J.:—The Government of Andhra Pradesh in the year 1984 decided that women were not getting their due share of public employment. It decided to take certain remedial measures. On 2-1-1984 it issued G.O.MS. No. 2, General Administration (Services-A) Department stating policy decisions taken by the State Government in respect of reservations for women in public services, to a specified extent. Pursuant to this policy decision, Rule 22-A was introduced in the Andhra Pradesh State and Subordinate Service Rules under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India. It reads as follows:-

"22-A : Notwithstanding anyting contained in these Rules or Special or Ad-hoc Rules-

(1) In the matter of direct recruitment to posts for which women are better suited than men, preference shall be given to women; (G.O.Ms. No. 472, G.A. dated 11-10-1985):

Provided that such absolute preference to women shall not result in total exclusion of men in any category of posts.

(2) In the matter of direct recruitment to posts for which women and men are equally suited, other things being equal, preference shall be given to women and they shall be selected to an extent of at lea