JUDGMENT

KIRPAL, J. - The All India State Bank Officers Federation, which is registered as a trade union of the officers of the State Bank of India working throughout the country, is seeking to challenge a new promotional policy framed by the respondent-Bank on 7-3-1989 relating to the promotion from the post of Senior Management Grade Scale V to Top Executive Grade Scale VI.

2. The respondent-Bank was established by the State Bank of India Act, 1955 (for short "the Act") and according to Section 17 of the said Act its Management is entrusted to the Central Board constituted under the Act. Under Section 43 of the said Act the Bank is empowered to appoint such number of officers, advisers and employees as it considers necessary or desirable for the efficient performance of its Functions. Sub-section (1) of Section 43 gives the Bank the power to determine the terms and conditions of the appointment of such persons.

3. The Bank framed State Bank of India (Supervising Staff) Service Rules, 1975, in exercise of its powers under Section 43 of the Act, These rules deal with various grades and scales of officers, conduct rules, salary, seniority, promotion, etc. Again, under Section 43 of