CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL RCOesReArvMed: on 17.01.2025 Pronounced on 20.01.2025 THE HON’BLE SHRI SUDHI RANJAN MISHRA, MEMBER (J)

THE HON’BLE SHRI PRAMOD KUMAR DAS, MEMBER (A)

1. Sri Bikash Agrawal, aged about 29 years, S/O-

Jagdish Agrawal, At/Po- Roth, P.S- Loisingha, Dist- Bolangir. 767061, presently working as APM (Accounts), Bolangir Head Post Office, Bolangir.

767001

2. Tarani Ranjan Jena, aged about 31 years, S/O-

Premananda Jena, At/Po/Dist- Bolangir 767001, presently working as SPM, Binka Sub Post Office, Binka, Dist- Bolangir 767019.

3. Dillip Kumar Mahapatra, aged about 33 years, S/O-

Dasaratha Mahapatra, At- Kapsila, P.O- Tusra, Dist- Bolangir, 767030, presently working as SPM, Loisingha S.O, Bolangir.

4. Bikash Parida, aged about 29 years, S/O- Pitabas Parida, At- Itapada, P.O- Kaduapada, Dist- Jagatsinghpur, 754106, presently working as APM (Accounts) Jagatsinghpur H.O.

……Applicants VERSUS

1. Union of India, represented through its Director General of Posts, Govt. of India, Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts, Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi, Pin-110001.

2. Director, (Budget & Administration), Govt. of India, Ministry of Communication, Department of Posts, Postal Accounts Wing, Dak Bhavan, New Delhi

110001.

3. General Manager, O/O- General Manager (Finance), Postal Accounts, Delhi 110054.

4. Assistant Director General (PA-ADMN), Govt. of India, Ministry of Communication, Department of Posts, Postal Accounts Wing, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110001.

5. Chief Post Master General, Odisha Circle, Bhubaneswar, Dist.-Khurda, Pin- 751001.

……Respondents For the applicant : Mr. D.P.Dhalsamant, Counsel For the respondents: O MR r .D S . K E.J e Rth y, Counsel SUDHI RANJAN MISHRA, MEMBER (J):

Ld. Counsel for the applicants relying on the averments made in the pleadings has submitted that on 10.05.2010, applicant No.1 joined as Postal Assistant, Bolangir H.O and, on promotion, he joined in the cadre of LSG on 18.01.2018. On 10.05.2010, applicant No.2 joined as Postal Assistant, Patnagarh MDG and, on promotion to LSG cadre, he joined in the cadre of LSG on 19.01.2018 and is working as SPM, Binka SO. Similarly, applicant No.3 joined as PA on 10.05.2010 and, on promotion to LSG cadre, he joined on 20.01.2018 and at present working as SPM, Loisingha S.O under Bolangir H.O and applicant No.4 joined as PA on 12.05.2010 at Jagatsinghpur H.O and, on promotion to LSG cadre, he has been working as APM (Accounts)

Jagatsinghpur H.O w.e.f. 09.01.2018.

1.1 It is the case of the applicants that respondent no.2 vide Notification No. 3-37/2016-DA/PACE/AAO Examination/459 dated 19.04.2018 invited applications for holding Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for the post of Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) Cadre of IP & TAFS Group-B for the year 2018-19 to fill up the 1010 posts out of which 777 posts are meant for General Category, 151 for SC and 82 for ST category. Subsequently, the last date of receipt of application was extended vide notification No3- 37/2016- DE/PACE/AAO Exam/760 to 834 dated 15.05.2018. The applicants submitted their application for appearing the LDCE. They were issued with the admit cards to appear at the examination with Roll Nos. 1111874, 1115703, 1112236 & 1111875. They also appeared at the written test held from 05.07.2018 to 08.07.2018.

1.2 According to the applicants, respondent no.2 published the merit list containing 949 candidates vide memo dated 01.10.2018 stating therein that merit list has been prepared as per available vacancies in respect of AAO LDCE 2018 candidates who have secured qualifying marks (40% in each paper for UR and 30% in each paper for SC & ST). Thereafter, order of promotion and posting to the grade of AAO of IP & TAFS Group-B was issued vide memo No.

301 (08)/PA Admn.III/2115 to 3165 dated 01.10.2018.

1.3 It is stated that the respondents intimated through their mobile numbers that they have secured 491.5, 425, 441.5 and 468 marks respectively, i.e. more than 40% of marks in each papers