Case Note & Summary
The case involved a challenge to the Rajasthan government's policy regarding the awarding of bonus marks to candidates applying for the post of Nurse Compounder Junior Grade. The appellants, who had worked under the National Health Mission (NHM) and National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) schemes in states other than Rajasthan, sought to have their experience recognized for bonus marks as per the Rajasthan Ayurvedic, Unani, Homeopathy and Naturopathy Services (Amendment) Rules, 2013. The Single Judge of the High Court had initially ruled in favor of the appellants, directing the State to grant bonus marks based on their experience. However, the State appealed this decision, arguing that the policy intended to restrict bonus marks to those who had worked within Rajasthan. The Division Bench of the High Court agreed with the State's interpretation, leading to the current appeals before the Supreme Court. The appellants contended that the language of Rule 19 allowed for experience from anywhere in the country to qualify for bonus marks, and that the distinction made by the State was arbitrary and violated Article 14 of the Constitution. The State countered that the policy was designed to account for the unique challenges faced in Rajasthan and that the training provided to local employees created a distinct class. The Supreme Court ultimately upheld the Division Bench's decision, affirming the State's policy as reasonable and non-discriminatory, and dismissed the appeals without costs.
Headnote
A) Constitutional Law - Discrimination - Article 14 - Policy on Bonus Marks - Rajasthan Ayurvedic, Unani, Homeopathy and Naturopathy Services (Amendment) Rules, 2013 - The court upheld the State's policy to grant bonus marks only to employees working under NHM/NRHM schemes in Rajasthan, finding no violation of Article 14 as the policy was not arbitrary and had a rational basis. Held that the experience gained in other states cannot be compared with that in Rajasthan due to differing local conditions (Paras 22-24).
Issue of Consideration
Whether the State of Rajasthan's policy to grant bonus marks only to employees working under NHM/NRHM schemes within the state is discriminatory and arbitrary.
Final Decision
The Supreme Court dismissed the appeals, upholding the Rajasthan government's policy to restrict bonus marks to employees working under NHM/NRHM schemes within the state, finding it reasonable and non-arbitrary.
Law Points
- Article 14
- discrimination
- policy decision
- bonus marks
- experience certificate
- Rajasthan Ayurvedic
- Unani
- Homeopathy and Naturopathy Services (Amendment) Rules
- 2013
