T Kiran Singh and 16 Ors v. State of Manipur and Anr

O R D E R

(Oral)

03.09.2024. [1]

Heard Mr. Y. Nirmolchand, learned senior counsel on behalf of the petitioners and Mr. M. Devananda learned Additional AG on behalf of the State respondents. [2]

The petitioners who are applicants for the advertisement of 47(forty-seven) posts of Stenographer Grade-III vide notification dated

16.04.2021 issued by the General Administrative Department(GAD), Government of Manipur and the examination process has been completed in the year 2021. However, the result of the same is not declared till date. Some of the petitioners have submitted a joint JOHN TELEN KOM Date: 2024.09.05 14:22:29 +05'30'

representation dated 28.02.2024 to the Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur for declaring the result of 47(forty-seven) posts of Stenographer Grade-III. In the meantime, GAD Government of Manipur issued another notification dated 15.03.2024 for recruitment of 8(eight) posts of Stenographer Grade-III on contractual basis. The said notification is impugned before this Court and it is prayed that the result of the 47(forty-seven) regular posts of Stenographer Grade-III be declared and quash the notification dated 15.03.2024 for recruitment of 8(eight) posts of Stenographer Grade-III on contractual basis. [3]

Mr. Y. Nirmolchand, learned senior counsel for the petitioners draws the attention of this Court to the Office Memorandum dated 28.05.1982 laying down norms for announcement the result of the DPC for selection of class-III & IV posts. It is stated that the result of the DPC for selection for appointment of class-III & IV will be announced on the concluding date of the DPC and if it is not possibly, on the date fixed by the Chief Secretary. It is submitted that as per the O.M., the result of the 2021 recruitment be declared promptly. [4]

Mr. M. Devananda, learned Additional AG has pointed out to the contents of the para 6 & 7 of the counter affidavit stating that the result of 47(forty-seven) posts of Stenographer Grade-III on regular basis and subsequent notification of 8(eight) posts of Stenographer Grade-III on contractual are different posts. Further, it is stated that the recruitment

of 47(forty-seven) Stenographer Grade-III on regular basis is still in process and the Government is contemplating the declaration of the result after re-constituting the Selection Committee/DPC and after completion of certain mandatory process. It is also stated that the Office Memorandum dated 28.05.1982 would not be applicable in the present case. [5]

Mr. Y. Nirmolchand, learned senior counsel for the petitioners submits that in view of the specific stand of the State respondents that the recruitment of 47(forty-seven) posts of Stenographer Grade-III on regular basis is in process and the result will be declared after re-constituting the Selection Committee/DPC, a direction may be issued in this regard. [6]

It is submitted by the learned senior counsel for the petitioners that the writ petition may be disposed of at this stage by directing the State respondents to declare the result of the recruitment of 47(forty-seven) posts of Stenographer Grade-III on regular basis at the stipulated time and he is not pressing the prayer for quashing the subsequent notification of 15.03.2024 for recruitment of 8(eight) contractual posts of Stenographer Grade-III. [7]

Mr. M. Devananda, learned Additional AG is agreeable to the submission made by the learned senior counsel for the petitioners.

[8]

Considering the submissions made at the bar, this Court is of the opinion that the process for recruitment of 47(forty-seven) posts of Stenographer Grade-III has to be completed within a stipulated period as prescribed by the rules and in any case, the process cannot be kept in suspension indefinitely. [9]

Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the State respondents to complete the process of the recruitment including re-constitution of the Fresh Committee within a period of 6(six) months and declare the result, if any. [10]

MC(WP(C))No.227 of 2024 is disposed of accordingly. [11]

Send a copy of this order to the Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur for information and doing the needful.

JUDGE John Kom

Item No.13&14 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL WP(C)No.267 of 2024 with MC(WP(C))No.227 of 2024 Takhelmayum Kiran Singh, aged about 38 years, S/o. Late T. Ibomcha Singh, a resident of Top Awang Leikai, PO & PS Porompat, Imphal East District, Manipur, PIN-795010 & 16 Ors. …Petitioners - Versus- The State of Manipur represented by Chief Secretary (DP), Government of Manipur, Bapubara, Old Secretariat, Imphal West, Manipur-795001 & Anr. …Respondents BEFORE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A. GUNESHWAR SHARMA