Case Note & Summary
The appeal arose from a judgment of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad concerning the claim of a respondent for age relaxation in the appointment to the post of Mukhya Sevika. The respondent, having crossed the age limit of 50 years, sought age relaxation based on her long service as an Anganwadi worker. The Single Judge of the High Court directed the State to consider her claim under the Uttar Pradesh Public Services (Relaxation of the Age limits for Recruitment) Rules, 1992. The State contended that the respondent was not a government employee and thus ineligible for the relaxation. The Single Judge accepted the claim, leading to a Special Appeal by the State, which was dismissed by the Division Bench of the High Court. The Supreme Court, upon review, noted that the State had uniformly applied the age limit and had considered the respondent's representation twice, ultimately denying the relaxation. The court emphasized that no individual candidate could claim a vested right to age relaxation, which lies within the discretion of the appointing authority. The court allowed the appeal, set aside the High Court's judgment, and dismissed the writ petition filed by the respondent.
Headnote
A) Administrative Law - Age Relaxation - Discretionary Power of State - Uttar Pradesh Public Services (Relaxation of the Age limits for Recruitment) Rules, 1992, Rule 3 - The court held that the respondent could not claim age relaxation as a matter of right, emphasizing that eligibility criteria must be uniformly applied to avoid arbitrary selections. The State's discretion in granting age relaxation was upheld (Paras 15-16).
Issue of Consideration
Whether the Single Judge of the High Court was justified in directing the State to consider the claim of the respondent for the grant of an age relaxation in making appointments to the post of Mukhya Sevika.
Final Decision
The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, set aside the High Court's judgment, and dismissed the writ petition filed by the respondent, affirming the uniform application of age limits.
Law Points
- Age relaxation
- recruitment rules
- discretionary power
- eligibility criteria
- arbitrary selection
