ORDER

1. Though the respondents are served, no one appears for them. We have heard Shri R. Venugopal Reddy, learned counsel for the appellant - Union of India.

2. In the Posts and Telegraphs Department, there are two methods of promotion from the post of Junior Engineer to the post of Assistant Engineer. Two-thirds of the posts are filled on the basis of Departmental Qualifying Examination while the remaining one-third are filled on the basis of a Departmental Competitive Examination. We are concerned in this appeal with the first mentioned category and the question is how should the eligibility list of candidates, who have passed the Departmental Qualifying Examination for consideration of the Departmental Promotion Committee be prepared. Clause 6 of Appendix I in the Schedule to the Rules to Telegraph Engineering Service (Class II) Recruitment Rules, 1966 provides :

"6. The eligibility lists of the candidates who have passed the Departmental Qualifying Examination for consideration of the Departmental Promotion Committee, shall be prepared in accordance with the instructions, as may be issued by the Government from time to time."

3. It is stated that pursuant to the said clause 6