The University of Cochin versus Dr. N. Raman Nair & Ors.

Section 6 of tho Cochin University Act, 1971, read as a whole, indicat1:a that it was meant to eliminate unjustifiable discrimination. Section 6(2) layil down the mandatory duty upon the University to observe els. (a), (b) and (c) of Rule 14 of the Kerala State Subordinate Servii:.i: Rules mutatiJ mutandis. Rule J.4 laya down rulo ot rotation in making appoinunents. C1ause (c) of the Rule lays down a scheme of rotation for every block of 20 vacancies, the first vacancy to be filled by open competition. The Syndicate of the University passed a resolution in 1972 providing that the rules mentioned in s. 6 (2) be implemented in the case of teach· ini: iltaff as a class, except in the case of post of Professor which shall bi: filled up exclusively in considert.tion of merit and that the reservation quota .~i:ainst thiil category ahould be provided additionally in tho category of Readers, Lectu· rera etc. tll;en collectively.

¶10

Tho fint reapondent applied for tho post of Reader in tho department of Hindi, and though he ranked first, the post was given to another who waa a member of tho backward class. The respondent filed a writ petition and Hii:h Court 1illowcd it.

¶11

B

¶12

C

¶13

D

¶14

Diamis1in11 the appeal to this Court,

¶15

HELD: (l) Section 6(2) docs not indicate the m!DDer in which the claui· fication of members of service under !he University has to be made for the purpose of applying the rules mentioned therein, . but, inasmuch as every statutory power lw to be exercised reasonably, the classification bail to be reuonable. [533CJ (2) Thcmi:h rule 14(c) doe$ not specifically ilaY that the ru~e of rotation witl be applied in the order in which vacancies occur, by necessary implication, the rule is intended to be.so applied. That being the object of the rule the rule must have been intended to operate with reference to the dates on which the vacancies occur and not with reference to some other events. Though the rules were made by the Government in 1967, for the purpose of applying the rules to the Univcrsitv the rotation could only be applied to vacancies existine on the date when tho Act came into force and in the order in which the vacancies had occurred. [533E-H)

¶16

E

¶17

F

¶18

(3) The: Syndicato of tho University appointed a Standing Committee 1ll draw up the li•t of vacancies at the time when the Act came into force and the list in .. dicates that the vacancy o[ 11. Reader in the department of Hindi wu the fir't t() occur. [534A-B; 535A-B]

¶19

( 4) The High Court was right in holding that the power to apply the rulO! mutatis mutandis does not include the power of amending the sub>tantial provisiorui in the rules. The power of the University is confined to making only what are necessary adaptations so as to make the rules, applicable to tnosc in the ser· vice of the University in place of the government servants for wlaom they were promulgated. It could include a power to ignore only snch parts a.! may be inap· p\ica.ble or in conflict with the Act itself. The Svn<lic.1tc could not. in any ca•o, alter the provisions of s. 6(2) of the Act itself which made it incumbent on tho University to apply the ro1ation rule as contemplated under the rules to every ser· vice, class or category under the University. If the post of Reader in the depart· ment of Hindi was the first to arise in service under the University an application of tho rotation principle would compel the first appointment to take place: <in the ba.oiis of an open competition. That pri11ciplc could certainly not ~ mod.ified by the Univcnlty by taking shelter behind the words mutati.f mutand/3. [53.50-H]

¶20

G

¶21

H

¶22

COCHIN U.NIVERSITY V. N. RAMAN (Beg, I.)

¶23

527

¶24

A

¶25

A (5) The resolution of 1972 is on the face of it partly invalid by attempting to place appointment to the post of a Professor outllide the reservation and rotation rules altogether, and it is ambiguous i~ its exact meaning. The second part seems designed to provide for other backward classes a compensatory quota of reserved appointment3 in a category other than of Professors in lieu of the removal of post of Professors from subjection to the rules. The second part is apparently a con~llllnce of the exclusion ·of the p_rofessors from the operation of the rules, which is itself not permissible, and not an adaptation for the purpose. of applying the B rules to the University. The two parts are inseparable and therefore the whole resolution is invalid. [S36F-537q ! '·

¶26

't'.

¶27

(6) The appointee as well as the respondent are now both holding posts of readers in the Hindi Department as the needs of the University have expanded; but it is necessary to determine the order of their appointments after the University has laid down it3 own method of reasonable classification either of the whole teaching staff of the University collectively or by putting various categories of the teaching staff into .separate compartments for the applications of the rules. c The University may treat all the teaching posts as belonging to one class for the application of the rules. On the other band, it may treat only post of readers in all subjects or in a particular subject as a category by itself for the application of the rules. But it c~nnot exempt any class or category such as professor from the operation of the rules altogether. It is desirable that the University should be left to make its own reasonable classification in accordance with these principles and to determine which of the two readers was entitled to be appointed earlie.r. [5370-FJ

¶28

D

¶29

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No. 885 of 1974. Appeal by Special Leave from the Judgment & Order dated the 29th November, 1973 of the Kerala High Court in Q. P. No. 1(}2 of 1973.

¶30

A. K. Sen, M. Ramachandran and A. S. Nambiar, for the Appellant.

¶31

E

¶32

T. S. Krishnamurthi Iyer and N. Sudkakaran, for Respondent No. 1.

¶33

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

¶34

BEG, J.-The University of Cochin was granted special leave to appeal to this Court against the judgment and order of the Kerala F High Court allowing a writ Petition of the respondent Dr. N. Raman Nair who had applied unsuccessfully on 15-10-1972 for the post of Reader in the Department of Hindi after coming into force of the Cochin University Act 30 Of 1971 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act,'). The High Court had quashed a resolution, passed by the Syndicate on 6-1-1973, for appointing Dr. A. Ramchandra Dev to the post. The High Court had also quashed the resolution of the Syndicate of the G University passed on 17-7-1972, the relevant part of which runs as follows:

¶35

"Resolved that

¶36

the rules mentioned under section 6(2) of the Cochin University Act, 1971, be implemented in the case of teacb- H ing staff as a class except in the case of post of Professor which shall be filled up exclusively in consideration of merit: but the reservation quota against this category should be provided additionally in the category of readers, Lecturers, Teaclrlng Assistant, etc. taken collectively". 3-L319Sup. CI/75

¶37

[1975] 2 s.c.R.

¶38

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

¶39

528

¶40

It had directed the University to make appointments in conformity · A with Section 6(2) of the Act. Section 6 lays down :

¶41

"Uni1•ersity open to All Classes and Creeds:-

¶42

( 1) No person shall, on· grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence, language, political opinion or any of them, be ineligible for, or discriminate? against in respect of any employment or office under the Umversity or membership of any of the authorities or bodies of the University or admission to any degree or course of study in the University.

¶43

(2) In making appointments to posts in any service, class or category under the University, the University shall mutatis mutandis, observe the provisions of clauses (a), (b) ( c) of rule 14 and the provisions of rules 15, 16 and 17 of the Keirala State and Subordinate Service Rules as demanded from time to time".

¶44

B

¶45

c

¶46

Section 6 of the Act, read as a whole, indicates that it was meant to ·eliminatt1 unjustifiable discrimination. The provisions of Sec.tion 6 (1) are directed agah1st discrimination against particular individuals on any of the grounds given there. Section 6(2) is meant to ensure .equality of treatment between citizens as members of groups, and, ·in particular, to enable "backward" classes to secure appointments s1:> as to remove the gap between the "advanced" .and the "backward". In doing so, it may appear that the principle of equality of opportunity ·on the basis. of individual merit is being modified. Even if that be: the result, the wider object is to promote equality between groups of <Citizens.

¶47

D

¶48

E

¶49

Rule 14, mentioned in Section 6(2) lays down· a rule of rotation in making appointments. Rule indicates that the principle of minimum qualifications to determine: whether candidates are suitable for selection is not abandoned. .Rule 16 provides for a "sub-rotation" among sub·:groups of major backward classes. This concept is fur. er explllined and elaborated iIJ Rule 17. These rules are set out bilow 10 toto.

¶50

F

¶51

"14. Reservatio11 of apPOintments.-Where the Special Rules lay down that the prmciple of ·reservation of appointments shall apply to any service, class or category, or. where in the case of any service, class or category for which no spe.cial ·Rules have been issued, the Goverrunent have by notificiltion in the ('razette declared that the principle of reservation of appointments shall apply to such service, class or category, appointments by direct recrultment to such service, class or category shall be made on the following basis:·.(a)I The unit .of. appointmeJ!:t for the Ptll'POSe of this rule shall be 20, of which two shall be reserved for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes andl 8 shall be reserved for the

G

H

•

COCHIN UNIVERSITY V. N. RAMAN (Beg, J.)

¶56

5 2 9

¶57

A

¶58

other Backward classes and the remaining 10 shall be filled on the basis of merit.

¶59

Provided that one out of every. five posts reserved for Scheduled Castell and Scheduled Tribes shall go to a Scheduled Tribe candidate only in the absence of a Scheduled Tribe Candidate, it shall go to a Scheduled Caste B candidate.

¶60

(b) The claims of members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes· and Other Backward Classes shall also be considered for the appointments which shall be filled on the basis of merit and where a candidate belonging to a Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or Other Backward Class is selectc ed on the basis of merit, the number of posts reserved for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes or for Other Backward Classes as they case may be, shall not in any way be affected.

¶61

( c) Appointments under this rule shall be made in the order of rotation specified below in every of 20 vacancies.

¶62

D

¶63

Open COmpetition.

¶64

Other Backward Classes.

¶65

Open Competition.

¶66

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

¶67

Open Competition.

¶68

E

¶69

Other Backward Classes.

¶70

Open Competition.

¶71

Other Backward Classes.

¶72

Open Competition.

¶73

Other Backward Classes

¶74

F

¶75

Open Competition.

¶76

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

¶77

Open Competition.

¶78

Other Backward Classes.

¶79

Open Competition.

¶80

G

¶81

1. Other Backward Classes.

¶82

Open Competition .

¶83

. 18. Other Backward Classes.

¶84

Open Competition.

¶85

Other Backward Classes.

¶86

H Provided that the fourth turn in the third. rotation and the twelfth turn in the fifth rotation shall go to Scheduled Tribe candidates and in the absence of scheduled tribe candidates, they shall go to Scheduled Castes candidates. ·

¶87

[1975] 2 s.C.R ..

¶88

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

¶89

530

¶90

A

¶91

Provided that the rule shall not apply in the case of appointments of near rdatives of military personnel killed, permanently disabled or reported to be mi&sing in action if they are or have been wholly dependent on such personnel and they shall be given preference, in the matter of appointment to Government Service provided, they possess the prescribed qualifications and subject to the condition that preference in the matter of appointment shall be given only to one relation in '9e case of each such personnel.

¶92

B

¶93

Explanation :-The term "Near Relatives" means the widows/wives, son.s, daughters, sisters, brothers, fathers, mother; nieces and nephws of th1 military personnel.

¶94

If there is no suitable candidate for selection from a particular community classified as "Other Backward Classes" or from the group of communities classified as "Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes" in the tum allotted for them in the integrated cycle combining the rotation in cl a use ( c) of rule 14 and the sub-rotation in sub-rule (2) of rule 17, the said community or group shall be passed over and the post shall be filled up in the following manner :-

¶95

If a suitable candidate is available for selection in the community or group immediately next to the passed over community or group in the said cycle, he shall be selected. If no such candidate is available in that co111munity or group, selection shall be made from the community or group .in the said cycle, he shall be selected. If no such candidate is available in that community or group, selection shall be made from the community or group next following, strictly in the order of rotation. If no suitable candidate is available for selection in any of the said communities or groups, selection shall be made from among the open competition candidates. The benefit of the turn thus forfeited to a community, or group by reason of it being passed over shall be resorted to it, at the earliest possi~le opportunity, if a suitable candidate from that community or group is available for selection by making adjustment against the claims of the community or group that derived the extra benefit by reason of such passing over;

¶96

Provided that in no year reservations including carrying forward vacancies. to a category of post shall exceed 50% of the total number of vacancies for which selec.tion by direct recruitment to that category is resorted to in . that year:

¶97

Provided further that the right of restoration of the turn shall lapse with the expiry of three years from the date of the passing over; ·

¶98

Provided also that the ~aid right of restoration shall not extend to a case where the selection has gone, to an open competition candidate.

c

-D

F

G

H

COCHIN UNIVERSITY V. N. RAMAN (Beg, J.)

¶105

531

¶106

A

¶107

Note :-The year of reservation referred to above shall be from the 15th June of a calendar year to 14th June of the succeeding calendar year. The rotation referred to above shall commence from 15"6-1967 and the outstanding compensation due to communities in the cycle of rotation upto 15-6-1967 will be treated as lapsed.

¶108

B 16. There shall be subrotation among major groups of Other Backward Gasses.

¶109

17 (1 )". The grouping of Other Backward Classes for the above purpose shall be as indicated below :-

¶110

Ezhavas and Thiyyas.

¶111

c

¶112

Muslims.

¶113

Latin Catholics S.1.U.C. and Anglo-Indians.

¶114

Scheduled Caste converts to Christianity,

¶115

Other Back'Ward Classes put together i.e. Communities other than those mentioned in items 1 to 4 above included in the list of "Other Backward Gasses".

¶116

D

¶117

(2) The 40% reservation allowed to Other Backward Classes shall be distributed among the different groups of Backward Gasses in'the followitig proportion:-

¶118

Out of every 40 appointments 14 shall be given to Ezhavas and Thiyyas, 10 to Muslims, 5 to !atin Catholics, S.l.U.C. and Anglo-Indians, 1 to Scheduled Caste converts to Christianity and 10 to Other Backward Gasses put together.

¶119

The following shall be the rotation by which posts reserved for Other Backward Classes will be distributed among the various groups coming under the class :-

¶120

Ezhavas and Thiyyas.

¶121

F

¶122

Muslims.

¶123

Latin Catholics, S.I.lJ.C. and Anglo-Indians.

¶124

Other Backward Gasses.

¶125

Ezhavas and Thiyyas.

¶126

Muslims.

¶127

G

¶128

Ezhavas and Thiyyas.

¶129

Other Backward Gasses.

¶130

Latin Catholics, S.l.U.C. and Anglo-Indians.

¶131

Muslims.

¶132

Ezhavas and Thiyyas.

¶133

1-1

¶134

Other Backward Gasses.

¶135

Ezhavas and Thi>'yas.

¶136

Muslims.

¶137

Latin Catholics, S.I.U.C. and Anglo-Indians.

¶138

[19175] 2 s.c.R.

¶139

SUPREME COURT REPORT'S

¶140

532

¶141

16.OtherBackwardClasses.	A
17.EzhavasandThiyyas.
18.Muslims.
19.ScheduledCasteconvertstoChristianity.
20.OtherBackwardClasses.	B
21.EzhavasandThiyyas.
22.Muslims.
23.EzhavasandThlyyas.
24.OtherBackwardClasses.
25.EzhavasandThiyyas.	c
26.Muslims.
27.LatinCatholics,S.l.U.C.andAnglo-Indians.
28.OtherBackwardClasses.
29.EzhavasandThiyyas.
30.Muslims.	D
31.EzhavasandThlyyas.
32.OtherBackwardClasses.	'
33.EzhavasandThiyyas.	'-,
34.Muslims.	.,
35.EzhavasandThiyya_s.	E
36.OtherBackwardClasses.
37.Latin,Catholics,S.I.U.C.and,Anglo-Indians..
38.Muslims.
39.EzhavasahdThiyyas.
40.OtherBackwardClasse~. Explanation:-The expression "Other Backward Classes"referredtoinitems4,8,12,16,20, 24,28,32, 36and40shallmeanBackwardClassesreferredtoinitem _5_undersub-rule(1)ofthisrule". ·	F
Itisnotdisputedthat thepetitiontir-respondentN().1Dr.Nair,
stood1stintheorderofmeritasdeterminedbytheBeardofAppoint- mcntsforthe.postsofaReader.intheDepartmentofHindiinthe University.Thepetitioner-respondent'scasewasthatthepostof ReaderinHindiisinitselfa particularcategory.Healsosaid:	G
''.Iftheprincipleforreservationofappointmentsprovided inRules14to17oftheGeneralRulesisappliedtotliepost ofReaderinHindi,thepetitioneralon~is_entitledto·getit sincehesecuredthe1strankintheselectionandsincethe firstpostisresorvedforopencompetition(onmeritsas·pro- videdinSubRule(c)ofRule14)".	H

¶142

COCHIN UNIVERSITY v. N. RAMAN (Beg, !.) 533

¶143

A The petitioner submitted that the principle of reservation had been wrongly interpreted by the University in its resolution of 17-7-1972 (Ex. P. 2) when it laid down that principles of reservation for appointment should be .applied to posts in a service, or class or catego1 1y collectively and not separately. The . whole case, therefore, hinged round an interpretation of Rules 14 to 17 and their impact on the B principle of rotation as applied to "service, class or category under the University".

¶144

-Section 6(2) laws down the mandatory duty upon the University to observe clauses (a), (b) and (c) of Rul'e 14, as well as Rules 15, 16 and 17 of the ruleS" set out above. But, it does not indicate the manner in which the classification of members of a service under tile University has to be made for the purposes of applying these rules. c Inasmuch as every statutory power has to be exercised reasonably, we can say that the classification has to be reasonable. Thus the University may treat all the teaching posts as belonging to one class for the application of the rules. On the other hand, it may treat only posts of Readers in all subjects or in a particular subject as a category by itself for the application of these rules. It cannot exempt any class or category, such as Professors, from the operation of the rules altoD gether.· Only iLit so classifies all posts in a service under the University as to make its classifica.tion prima facie unreasonable, could the validity of the classification made by it be assailed. The power is presumed to be exercised reasonabfy on the strength of facts and circumstances relevant for purposes intended to be achieved by the classification. These purposes have also to pass the test of legality and constitutionality.

¶145

E

¶146

Clause (c) ·of. Rule 14 lays down a scheme of rotation for every block of 20 vacancies. But, it does not specifically say that the rule of rotation will be applied in the order in which vacancies occur. We however, think that, by necessary implication, the rule is intended to be applied to vacancies in the order in which they occur. It could not be meant to be applied with reference to the date on which a F vacancy is announed or advertised because these are fortuitous matters over which those in power in the University may, if so inclined, be able to exercise control. The whole object of such rules is to introduce fixity of principle and of the method of its application so as to remove, so far as possible, uncertainty and opportunities for abuse of power. That being the object of such a rule, it seems obvious to us that the rule must have been intended to operate with reference to the dates G on which the vacancies occur and not with reference to some other events such as the dates of declaration or advertisement of . the vacancies.

¶147

The rules were made bv the Govt. in 1967. Hence, the note occurs at the bottom of Rule 15 that the rotation provided for will commence from 15-6-1967. This could not obviously be done under the Cochin University Act 30 of 1971, which was published in the H State Gazette on 13-8-1971. Therefore. for the purposes of applying these rules to the University, the rotation could only apply to vacancies existing on the date when the Act came into force and in the order in which they had occurred.

¶148

(1975] 2 S.C.R

¶149

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

¶150

534

¶151

A

¶152

It appears that the Syndicate of the University appointed a Staude ing Committee to draw up a list of the vacancies, in the class of posts with which we are concerned, at the time when the Act came into force, under which the appointments were to be made in accordan1~e with the rotatio1;1 rules. This list (Ex. p. 3) drawn up at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Syndicate held on 1-1·1973 giving the number and designations of vacant posts, dates of vacancies, and allocation for the purposes of the rotation rule and the names of the candidates appointed, runs as follows :-

¶153

B

¶154

"Regarding the apP.ointments made so far and the appointments to be maoe from among those who have been selecte9 after advertisement and interview, the Committee examined the details of allocations. The following is the re· sult of the review:-

¶155

c

¶156

- No.	----·-·-- Nameofpost	---· Dateof occurrence ofvacancy	- Allrn:ation Nameof candidate Carried over
		APPOINTMEN	TMADEON17-7-1972
1. 2.	Lecturer,SMS. Lecturer,SMS.	10-7-1971 9-12-1971	Open Res Ezhava. Mrs. AnniesGeorgi·. Dr.K.C.Sankarana Narayanan.	D
3.	ProfessorinHindi	17-7-1972 APPOINTME	Open Dr.N.E.·Viswanatha Iyer. NT MADE ON6-11-1972
4	.ProfessorinSMS.	10-7-1971	Res.Sch. Dr.N. Paramaswar~n C&T NairSch.C&T. converted asopen.	E
5.	ProfessorinSMS.	16-8-1972	Open SriN. Reddiar Renganatha Notjoined.
6.	ReaderinSMS.	16-8-1972	Muslim. ·Dr.K.N.Nair,Res. Muslim.
7.	LecturerinSMS.	16-8-1972	Open converted asSch.C&T. Dr. JoseThomas Payyapally Sch.C&T C/o.is lostanditis filledopen.	F
8.	LecturerinSMS.	16-8-1972	Res.(L.C.) N.A. Dr.C.N.Pursushotha- manNair,L.C.Not joinedNo.C/o.asitis filledbyopen.
9.	LecturerinSMS.	16-8-1972 POSTTOBEFI	Open SriAlex.P.Lukose. LLEDON6-1-1973	G
10.	ReaderinHindi	10-7-1971	Res.O.B.C. Thisvacancyhasoc- curredearlier.
11.	ResearchAsstt.inL	aw 10-7-1972	Open.
12.	LecturerinPhysics	3-5-1972	Res.Sch.C&T.	H
13.	LecturerinPhysics	10-12-1972	Op,en.

¶157

G

¶158

H

¶159

<:OCH,IN UNIVERSITY V, N. RAMAN (Beg, /,)

¶160

535

¶161

A

¶162

The above mentioned doc:ument was signed by the Pro Vice Chanceilor of the U.niversity. It indicates that the vacancy of a Reader in the Department of Hinqi was the first to occur. Hut, instead of allocating it to the open competition class, for the purpose of apply· ing the rotation rule, it was allocated to the reserved block of posts. This was also an illegality complained of by the respondent Dr. Nair ..

¶163

B

¶164

The stand of the University was that it had followed the rotation rule according to which appointments were to be made alternately by a general or open competition and by choice ,ri:stricted to backward groups. Dr. A. Ramchandra Dev, however, took up the position that the University could even alter the rules, inasmuch as it had the power to apply them "mutatis-mutandis", according to situations as they c arose. It appears that, at the time of arguments in the High Court, the University adopted the stand of' Dr. A. Ramchandra Dev on this question. It seems to have been contended in the High Court on behalf of the University that it was empowered to make the changes in the rules. to meet the particular needs of the University so as to enable it to implement the provisions of Section 6 ( 2) of the Act in the way it thought fit.

¶165

D

¶166

We think that the High Court was right in holding that the power to apply the rules "mutatis-mutandis'' ds not include the power of amending the substantial provision in the rules. The High Court held : "Formal and inconsequential changes for dovetailing the rules into,the frame work of. the Ac.t, alone seem to be contemplated". We think that the· Hih Court was_ right in confining the power of the E University to making qnly what are necessary "adapt!ltions" so as to make the rules applicable to those in the service of the lJniversity in place of the Government servants for whom they, were promulgated. It could include a power to ignore only such parts as may be inapplicable or in conflict with Act itself. An instance of this would be, as pointed out above, commencement of the application of the rules after the Act came into force instead of in 1967 when, according to a note F in Rule 15, the Rules had to be enforced. The High Court rightly held that the Syndicate could not, in any case, alter the provisions of Section 6(2) of the Act itself which made it incumbent on the University to apply the rotation rule, as contemplated under the rules, to eveey "service, class or category under the University". It held that ''if section 6(2) were to operate on its own terms, selection to the post of Reader, for the first time made by the University, should, in the G first .turn, go to the candidate adjudged best on open competition, and only on the next turn or turns to candidates on the principle of ·com. munal rotation".

¶167

If the post of Reader in the Depart.ment of Hindi ws the 1st to arise in service under the University, as appears to be the position from Ex. P. 3, an application of the rotation principle would compel H the first appointment to take place on tl}.e basis of an open competition. That principle could certainly not be modified by the University by taking shlter behind the words "mutatis-mutandis". It has been stated by the learned Counsel for the University that the validity of

¶168

[1975] 2 s.c.R.

¶169

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

¶170

536

¶171

the impugned resolution may be doubtful so far as the withdrawal •Df the post of Professor from the applicaticm of the abovementioned rules is concerned, but, learned Counsel submitted, we need not decide that question as we arc not concerned here with an appointment to the post of a Professor. If', however, the Professors and Lecturers and Readers were all to fall in one class it may become necessary ito consider this question alsq. Moreover, we indicated below the two parts of the resolution do not seem to be separable. It is true that Section 6, sub. s. ( 2) lodges in the University a power to determine what should constitute class or category of service under the University. No rigid formula to fit all circumstances can be laid down and the authority concerned must be left to define, subject to constitutional limitations, what should be a class or category. But, this power would not, in our opinion, enable the University to dispense with the application of the rotation principle itself to any particular class or category of service under the University as appears to have been the real object of the resolution of 17-7-1972 with regard to Professors.

¶172

The word ·service' does seem to us to denote, as the High Court held, various classes or categories of posts within it. It is obviously the widest class. A classification which puts the whole teaching staff in one class for purposes of applying the rule would seem unassailabk But, one which puts all classes and categories of service from the peons to Professors together may, by destroying the distinction between classes and categories of service, seem to run counter to the words used in Section 6 ( 2). As that question is not before us, we refrain from deciding it. This provision appears to us to be intended to ensure that, whatever may be the kind of post to be held by a person in a service "under the University'', principles laid down in Rules 14, 15, 16 and 17 must apply in making appointments to it. We are not called upon to decide here what is meant by a service "under the University" us it is admitted by both sides that this description applies to the post of a Reader. Nor have we to determine hem the reasonableness of a classification which may put the teaching and non-teaching staff in one class or category.

¶173

It was submitted by learned Counsel for the University, that the rc-solution of 17-7-1972 was intended to do no more than to categorise ''Readers, Lecturers and Teaching Assistants," by putting them into a single class or category, for applying the rules to them "collectively''. If that is all it was meant to do, apart from attempting to place posts of Professors outside rules 14 to 17, the intention is expressed in very unsatisfactory and misleading language. It is of course, open to the University to pass a resolution which does not contravene Section 6(2) of the Act. A resolution which merely classifies or cat·goriscs posts in a reasonable manner would not offend against statutory provisions. The resolution of. 17-7-1972 is, however. atleast partlv invlid, on the face of it, by attempting to place appointments to the PQS'i of a Professor outside the reservation and rotation ru'cs, altogether. and it is partly atleast ambiguous so that it is difficult to decipher its exact meaning. The second part seems

A

B

c

D

E

F

H

COCHIN UNIVERSITY 1'. N. RAMAN (Beg, J.)

¶182

537

¶183

A designed, i_n so far as one may guess its meaning, to provide for Other Bt1cward Classes" a compensatory quota of reserved appointments in a category othel' than that of Professors in lieu of the removal of posts of Professors from subjction to the rules. If this is the real object, as it seems to be, the intention was to alter the scope or ambit of the rotation rule. The second part is apparently a consequcnc..: B of the exclusion of the Professors from the operation of the rulcswhich it itself not permissible-and not an adaptation for the purpose> of applying the rules to the University. Thus, the two parts seem to be inseparable. We, therefore, consider the resolution to be wholly invalid. The validity of Section 6(2) has not been questioned l'ither in the High Court or here.

¶184

We have been informed at the Bar that both the 1st and the 3rd c Responticnts, that is to say, Dr. Nair and Dr. Ramchaudra Dev, arc at present holding posts of Readers in the Hindi department as the needs of the University have cxpand..:d. It may however, be ncccs· sary io determine the order of their appointments after the Univcr' sity has laid down its own method of reasonable classification l'ither of the whole teaching staff of the University collectively or by putting various categories of the t·eaching staff into separate compartments for D the application of the rules. We have held that the University has this power provided it is exercised on good and reasonable grounds. We have only indicated that, on such facts as have come to our notice, the particular vacancy for which both Dr. Raman Nair and Dr. Ram. chanclra Dev were competing seemed to us to be the first to arise for the purposes of applying Section 6(2) of the Act. As this matter was E not fully investigated, and the power is vested in the University to make its own classification within the limits indicated by us, we think that it is desirable that the University should be left to make its own reasonable classification in accordance with the principles laid down above by us so as to determine which of the two Readers was cntiaed to be appointed earlier. In other words, the Syndicate of the University will have to pass a fresh resolution which is in accordance F with the law as expl'ained by us and then to apply the rules in conformity with such a resolution in exercise of the powers possessed by the University.

¶185

TI1e result is that we dismiss this appeal subject to the elucidation given by us of the manner in which the directions issued by the fiigh Court to the University to act in accordance with Section 6(2) of the Act arc to be carried out by the University. We make no order as G to costs.

¶186

V.P.S.

¶187

Appeal dismissed.

The University of Cochin v. Dr. N. Raman Nair & Ors.

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The University of Cochin v. Dr. N. Raman Nair & Ors.

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