IMPORTANT POINT
As per the Rajasthan Mines & Geological Service Rules, for the purpose of promotion to the post of Assistant Mining Engineer, the candidate must be a holder of a post of Mines Foreman Grade I or Head Draftsman or Senior Surveyor.

JUDGMENT

S.B. Sinha, J.—Leave granted.

2. Appellant herein was appointed as a Surveyor on 31.08.1979. His educational qualification then was Diploma in Mining. He did his AMIE in Mining in the year 1986. He claimed promotion to the post of Assistant Mining Engineer directly on the premise that he had acquired a degree in Engineering. He at the relevant time was working as Mines Foreman Grade-II. In terms of the rules, promotion to the post of Assistant Mining Engineer was to be granted from the feeder posts of Mines Foreman Grade-I, Head Draftsman or Senior Surveyor. His representation to appoint him to the post of Assistant Mining Engineer, therefore, was not acceded to. He filed a writ petition before the High Court which by reason of the impugned judgment has been dismissed.

3. Mr. Naresh Kaushik, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant, would submit that keeping in view the rules then operating in the field, the incumbents to the post of Mines Foreman Grade-II should have also been considered for the purpose of promotion to the post of Assistant Mining Engineer.

Mr. Aruneshwar Gupta, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent, however, would support the judgment.

4. Column 6 of the Rajasthan Mines & Geological Service Rules, 1960 (for short, ‘the Rules’) lays down the minimum qualification and experience required for promotion, which is in the following terms :

“3 years experience in case of holders of degree in Mining Engineering or equivalent and 7 years experience in case of Diploma Holders in Mining Engineering from a recognized Institution on any post in Subordinate Mines and Geological Service not lower than Mines Foreman Grade-II.”

5. Indisputably, the terms and conditions of service of the appellant are governed by the said Rules. On or about 20.05.1977, the said Rules were amended, in terms whereof promotion to the post of Assistant Mining Engineer was to be made from amongst the persons holding the posts of either: (i) Mines Foreman Grade-I; or (ii) Head Draftsman; (iii) or any post in the subordinate Mines and Geological Service carrying scale of pay identical or higher than Mines Foreman Grade-II.

6. Indisputably, in terms of the Rules, 50% of the posts of Assistant Mining Engineer are to be filled up by direct recruitment; 30% by promotion from amongst the diploma holders and 20% from amongst the degree holders. The qualification necessary for being appointed as Assistant Mining Engineer is as under :

“Degree in Mining Engineering from University Established by Law in India.

OR

AMIE (Mining Engineering Part A & B of Institution of Engineers.

OR

Diploma in Mining Engineering from the Indian School of Mines and Applied Geology, Dhanbad.”

7. Appellant was admittedly not holding the post of Mines Foreman Grade-I at the relevant time.

8. Column 6 of the said Rules whereupon reliance has been placed by Mr. Kaushik speaks about experience required for filling up of the said post. Whereas three years’ experience would satisfy the requirement in case the candidate is a holder of degree in Mining Engineering or equivalent, seven years’ experience was necessary in case of the diploma holders in Mining Engineering from a recognized institution on any post, but the same should not be lower than the Mines Foreman Grade-II.

9. ‘Eligibility’ and ‘Experience’ stand on different footings. For filling up the post by way of promotion, there must exist a channel. In absence of any channel, promotion cannot be effected.

10. The Rule must be read in its entirety. So read, there cannot be any doubt whatsoever that for the purpose of promotion to the post of Assistant Mining Engineer, the candidate must be a holder of a post of Mines Foreman Grade-I or Head Draftsman or Senior Surveyor. As the appellant did not hold any of the said posts, the question of promoting him to the post of Assistant Mining Engineer, did not arise.

11. With a view to satisfy ourselves we had directed the State to inform us as