Manojit Bhuyan, J.

Heard Mr. BJ Ghosh, learned counsel representing the petitioner. Also heard Mr. MK Choudhury, learned Senior counsel, assisted by Mr. HK Das, Advocate, representing the respondent.

2. The legality and validity of the order dated 14.12.2012 passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Guwahati Bench (hereinafter alluded to as the ‘Tribunal’) in OA 351/2012 is put to challenge by the State of Assam.

3. The sole respondent Sri Mamat Kalita is from the batch of officers of the 1978-80 State Forest Service (Assam). The issue primarily revolves round promotion with regard to the members of the State Forest Service to the Assam segment of IFS Joint Cadre of Assam-Meghalaya. OA 351/2013 was instituted by the respondent challenging the Order dated 26.6.2012 of the Principal Secretary to the Government of Assam, Environment & Forest Department declining request for review of the ACRs for the period 24.11.1999 to 31.3.2001.

4. Facts necessary to traverse begins with the meeting of the Selection Committee dated 8.12.2000, so constituted under Regulation 3 of the Indian Forest Service (Appointment by Promotion) Regulations, 1966. The agenda was for preparing a list of