“22. It appears that the Respondent Zilla Parishad circulated a seniority list on 28th April 2021 by the Education Officer (Primary). Annexed hereto and marked as Exhibit L is a copy of the said Seniority List. The said seniority was inconformity with the District Service (Recruitment) Rules, 1967 and GR dated 16th February 2018. In the said List the Petitioners were shown as qualified and eligible for the said Promotion. It appears that Respondent Zilla Parishad acted upon the said seniority and given promotion in favour of Suhas Tukaram Patil. Similarly, they have also promoted three more candidates viz. Rangrao Tukaram Barge, Balu Hariba Pradhan, Manisha Kiran Kukade who are similarly situated and identical placed and were also Junior to the Petitioners. However, suddenly, Respondent Zilla Parishad suspended the said process and sought clarification from Respondent State. It appears that Respondent State gave clarification on 12th September 2023 addressing DO letter to Zilla Parishad Solapur. Vide the said Letter it was clarified that three years which is the requirement for promotion to the post of Cluster Head is to be counted from the date the candidates acquired BA, B.Com, B.Sc and B.Ed qualification. Annexed hereto and marked as Exhibit M is a copy of the Letter dated 12th September 2023”.
