JUDGMENT

Tarlok Singh Chauhan, J. - Whether a degree in Electrical Engineering/Electrical & Electronics Engineering is technically higher qualification than a diploma in the aforesaid subject and, if so, are the degree holders eligible for the appointment to the post of Junior Engineer (Electrical), is the core issue that arises for consideration in these petitions.

2. Cwp No. 138 of 2020, CWPOA No. 3601 of 2019 and CWPOA No. 3633 of 2019 have been filed by the degree-holder petitioners (for short 'degree-holder petitioners) claiming the right of consideration, whereas CWPOA No. 6534 of 2019 and CWPOA No. 6252 of 2020 have been filed by the diploma-holder petitioners (for short diploma-holder petitioners) opposing the claim of the degree-holders.

3. On 27.06.2018, the Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission on the requisition sent by the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd., advertised 222 posts of Junior Engineer (Electrical). The petitioners applied for the post and after qualifying the written examination were called for verification of the documents but the final result was not declared, hence these petitions.

4. It is urged on behalf of the degree holder petitione