Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 14: State High Court has held that only Matriculate Anganwari workers are eligible for promotion as Supervisor.
This significant direction has been passed by Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar in a petition filed by one Mehmood Akhter. The case is that the respondent namely Farida Akhter at the time of her engagement as Anganwadi worker, was 8th class pass. She attained matriculation qualification in the year 1986.
It was further admitted fact that the petitioner Mehmooda Akhter was appointed as Anganwadi worker when she was already a matriculate in the year 1984. Mehmooda Akhter was selected and appointed as Supervisor by treating her senior to Farida Akhter. That order was subsequently kept in abeyance by the authorities.
Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar observed, “in terms of Schedule -VI attached to Rules of 1991, the post of Supervisor is to be filled up 50% by direct recruitment and 25% posts have been reserved for selection to the post of Supervisor amongst the Anganwadi workers who have rendered 5 years service as such and are graduates and further 25% have been reserved for selection from amongst Matriculate Anganwadi workers who have rendered not less than 10 years service”.
“The Rules of 1991 in itself have created 3 classes for filling up the posts of Supervisors. The Rule has provided that it is the matriculate Anganwadi worker who is eligible for being considered for promotion on the post of Supervisor and under-matric candidate is not entitled for any such consideration”, High Court said, adding “the inter-se seniority amongst the Anganwadi workers, who are matriculate, has to be reckoned from the date they obtain matriculation qualification. The service rendered by a candidate as Anganwadi worker but being not a matriculate would be inconsequential in view of Rule itself”.
“Admittedly, the petitioner-Mehmooda Akhter is a matriculate and has been appointed in the year 1984 as Matriculate Anganwadi worker, whereas, respondent Farida Akhter, though appointed at earlier point of time as Angnawadi worker attained the qualification of Matric in the year 1986, thus, is having two years less service as Matriculate Anganwadi worker than that of Mehmooda Akhter”, High Court observed, adding “Mehmooda Akhter in terms of rule position is thus senior to Farida Akhter”.
“It is only the Matriculate Anganwadi worker who is eligible for being appointed on the post of Supervisor”, the High Court said while allowing the petition of Mehmooda Akhter.
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