JUDGMENT

B.N.KIRPAL, J.

(1) LEAVE granted.

(2) THE challenge in this appeal is the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court which by the impugned judgment had quashed the selection of the learner book binder which had been conducted by a duly appointed selection committee.

(3) THE respondents had applied along with a large number of candidates for appointment to the post of book-binder. The process of selection was that of practical cum interview test. On the basis of the advertisement, 528 applications, amongst them of the respondents and the appellants, were received; 323 candidates appeared for the test on two days namely, 12/08/1998 and 13/08/1998. On the basis of the said test, a select list was prepared by the departmental selection committee whereupon the appellants were appointed.

(4) IN the judgment under appeal, the High Court observed :

"IN its opinion, fair amount of time should be given to each one of the candidates so that he may be able to show his worth, ability as per his intellect, to the members of the selection committee"

(5) THE High Court further observed :

"THAT it had no hesitation to hold that th