JUDGMENT:

S.B. SINHA, J :

1.Leave granted.

2.On or about 09.05.1998, 382 vacancies were advertised for the post of Gangman by the Waltair Division of the then South Eastern Railways (now known as East Coast Railways). By a corrigendum issued, the right of the authority to increate or decrease the number of posts projected for recruitment was reserved. The educational qualification for the candidates was prescribed at 8th class pass. Applicants were required to be physically strong to carry out the job. They were to pass the requisite physical test.

Reservation was provided for the candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. The number of vacancies was, however, enhanced to 792 posts. The appropriate authority, however, gave a final clearance for filling up 480 posts pursuant to the notification dated 09.06.1998. The category-wise vacancies were as under :

General :240

Other Backward Classes:115

Scheduled Castes:72

Scheduled Tribes:53

3.Out of 480 vacancies, 240 posts were meant for general category candidates. The cut-off marks were provided for different categories of candidates in the following terms :

General:71

Other Backward Classe