( 1 ) JUDGMENT:-LEAVE granted.

( 2 ) APPELLANT, Mohan Singh, was promoted as an Assistant on 20-10-1973 and was confirmed with effect from 13-10-1980. When vacancy in the post of Superintendent Grade-I arose on 27-11-1989 on promotion of one Gurdev Singh as Assistant Registrar, the Advocate General, Punjab promoted him as Superintendent Grade I. Calling that promotion in question, respondents Tarlok Singh and Deena Nath Singla filed C. W. P. No. 80/90 in the High Court which was allowed by the learned single Judge and L. P. A. No. 796/94 filed by appellant Mohan Singh was dismissed by a Division Bench by order dated 26-11-1994. Thus, these appeals by special leave.

( 3 ) THE only question is whether the appellant is entitled for promotion from the post of Assistant to the post of Superintendent Grade-I. Learned counsel for the respondents contended that the post which fell vacant on the promotion of Gurdev Singh was not reserved, it being the fifth post and, therefore, the appellant was not entitled to that post. We find no force in the contention. The chart at page 16 of the Paper Book (prepared on the basis of averments made in counter affidavit of the Advocate General filed in the High Court) clearly indicates that the first vacancy occurred on 3-6-70. On second occasion, namely, 17-7-1975, a second post of Superintendent Grade-I was created and Shiv Kumar Sharma, who was working as P. A. to the Advocate General was appointed to that post. It is contended that the same cannot be considered as second vacancy. We do not agree, as when the second post was created on 17-7-1975, though the incumbent was promoted along with creation of the post, it is clear that a vacancy had arisen. Thus considered, the Advocate General was right in his stand taken in the High Court that the vacancy at hand was the 6th vacancy reserved for member of the scheduled Castes as per the roster.

( 4 ) THE contention raised in this matter, which was accepted by the High Court, is whether double jump can be given from the post of Assistant to the post of Superintendent Grade-I when intermediary post of Superintendent Grade-II is available. Though prima facie the contention appears to be attractive as indicated in the order dated 16-1-1995 while issuing notice, on going through the rules we find that the same is really not acceptable. It is not in dispute that Rule 8 of the Punjab Civil Secretariat (State Service Class III-Rules, 1963 provides thus :

"the posts in the service shall be filled in the following manner :

(B) In case of Superintendent (or Section Officer) (i) by promotion from amongst Assistant. Section Officers of the Punjab Civil Secretariat having an experience of working on that post for a minimum period of one year or from amongst such Deputy Superintendents, Assistants-in-charge and Assistants as are members of the Punjab Civil Secretariat (State Service Class-III) and have an experience of working as Deputy Superintendent for a minimum period of one year or an experience of working as an Assistant for a period of ten years, as the case may be. "

( 5 ) IT would clearly indicate that a Section Officer of the Punjab Secretariat having an experience of working on that post for a minimum period of one year, or Deputy Superintendent, Assistants-in-charge and Assistants as members of the Punjab Civil Secretariat (State Service Class-III) and having experience of working as Deputy Superintendent for a minimum period of one year or an experience of working as an Assistant for a period of ten years, as the case may be, are eligible for promotion to the post of Superintendent Grade-I. In other words, a Deputy Superintendent with a minimum experience of one year in that post or an experience of 10 years as an Assistant is eligible for promotion to the post of Superintendent Grade-I. It is true, as rightly contended for the contesting respondents, that Rule 8 is inapplicable, as admitted by the Government in their appeal which is a companion to this ap