Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 13: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) today vacated the stay on selection of about 1700 Junior Assistant posts advertised by the Services Selection Board.
The CAT has held that the SSB is well within their right and jurisdiction while adopting and applying the normalization process called Equi-percentile Equating method in finalizing the selection process since it was made clear in the scheme of the examination as well as by subsequent notices that this method will be used in the final selection of the candidates.
The CAT dismissed the plea of aggrieved candidates as said it is devoid of merit. “The interim order stands vacated. Respondents are at liberty to proceed further to complete the process of selection and appointment of the candidates as per advertisement notifications and the scheme of examination”, the CAT concluded.
The plea of the aggrieved candidates was that vide advertisement notice dated 16.12.2020 vacancies of Junior Assistant had been advertised by the SSB to be filled by open market selection. The written tests were held during the month of January 2022 and the result of the written test had been issued on 19.03.2022.
“Moreover, the respondents are yet to issue the final select list of the successful candidates. As of today only a tentative select list has been issued wherein names of some of the applicants are also figuring. Even the applicants are not sure whether their names will eventually find a place in the final selection list or not”, the CAT said.
“In view of the discussions, the Services Selection Board is directed to consider each and every aspect of the present matter before finalising the selection list and bring out their stand while filing the counter reply. It is made clear that the final selection list will not be issued till the next date of hearing. Respondents are directed to file their counter within three weeks. Rejoinder, if any, may be filed within one week thereafter”, it ordered.
Board counsel with advocate Mir Suhail added that in the notification also the procedure which was to be followed in the forthcoming examination had been clearly spelt out and the aggrieved candidates kept quiet till the result of the written test was announced and have approached this Tribunal only now. Therefore they can be said to be fence sitters who were watching whether the normalization would be in their favour or against them.
1700 posts were advertised in the department of Transport, Labour & Employment, Culture, Election, Tribal Affairs and Finance with the additional advertisement of further 580 posts in Science & Technology, ARI Trainings, LJ&PA, R&B and 232 posts in Higher Education Department, Hospitality & Protocol.
In response to the advertisement notice, the aggrieved candidates applied for the post of Jr. Assistant and the board conducted CBT (Skill Test) and issued a list of all such candidates who qualified the CBT(Skill Test) and a supplementary skill test was conducted thereafter and the result was declared. In all some 14423 candidates qualified the said test.
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