The court emphasized adherence to lawful, transparent selection procedures for training candidates as mandated by the Assam Survey and Settlement Training Centre Rules, 1991.

JUDGMENT :

Heard Mr. M. Sarania, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. J. Handique, learned Standing Counsel, Revenue as well as Ms. R.B. Bora, learned Standing Counsel, BTC and Mr. A.R. Sikdar, learned counsel for the respondents No. 7 to 156.

2. By filing this writ petition, the petitioners have challenged the notification dated 12.01.2024 issued by the Director of Land Records & Surveys, BTC, Kokrajhar, whereby, as many as 150 (One Hundred and Fifty) candidates have been selected for six months Recorders Certificate Class Course Training (herein after referred to as RCCC training in short) at Assam Survey & Settlement Training Centre, Dakhingaon, Guwahati, pursuant to an advertisement dated 31.05.2023, on the ground that the same has been selected without approval of the State respondents. The petitioners have also prayed for a direction to allow the petitioners to undergo RCCC Training on the strength of selection vide dated 28.03.2023 by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC in short) as approved by the State Government vide approval letter dated 05.09.2023.

3. The petitioners claims to be the aspirants for the post of Lot Mondal and on due selection, the Secretary to the BTC vide letter dated 28.03.2023 has approved their names consisting of 219 candidates for six months RCCC training at Assam Survey & Settlement Training Centre, Dakhingaon, Guwahati. The scheduled for RCCC training was prepared and approved for the petitioners to be commenced w.e.f. 17.01.2024 to 16.07.2024. Accordingly, the petitioners being approved candidates had gone to the office of the respondent no.4 i.e. The Principal, Assam Survey & Settlement Training, Rajah Nagar, Dakhingaon, Guwahati for joining the 6 (six) months RCCC training on 17.01.2024 with the necessary documents. However, the respondent no.4 has not accepted and allowed the petitioners to join, who are in the select list of 219 approved candidates.

4. It is the contention of the petitioner that vide impugned notification dated 12.01.2024 as many as 150 candidates have selected the private respondent nos. 7 to 156 illegally and without the approved of the Govt. have been admitted for RCCC Training without there being formally forwarded by BTC and approved by the State authorities. It is contented that for RCCC training the approval of the State Government is mandatory. The selection of private respondents has not been approved by the State authorities, whereas, the selection of the petitioners have been duly approved by all the concerned authorities. Being aggrieved of not allowing the petitioners to join for 6(six) months RCCC training, the petitioners have filed representation on 17.01.2024 and 18.01.2024 before the Principal, Assam Survey & Settlement Training, Rajah Nagar, Dakhingaon, Guwahati and the Principal Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Revenue and Disaster Management. However, the respondent authorities have not considered the same.

5. Mr. M. Sarania, learned counsel for the petitioner while referring to the provisions of the Assam Survey and Settlement Training Centre, Rule 1991, particularly, NOTE-I of Rule 23, wherein, it is provided that the candidates/ deputed by other States, District Councils, public and private undertaking/enterprise bodies and private individuals seeking admission as private students and the Uncertified Recorders working against permanent vacancies and recommended by the Deputy Commissioner for