GUWAHATI, March 19 - Acting on a writ petition WP(C) 1492/2018, the Gauhati High Court has directed the Government of Assam represented by the Principal Secretary, Fishery department; the Director of Fisheries and the Assam Public Service Commission to ensure that the forthcoming recruitment for 47 posts of Fishery Development Officer (FDO) maintains the norm of the Fishery Department providing for filling up of 25 per cent of the cadre strength of FDOs by way of promotion.
The recruitment drive, as published in newspaper advertisements dated February 17, 2018, proposed direct recruitment for 47 FDO posts.
Counsel for the petitioners, Santanu Kumar Das argued that the respondents were obliged to adhere to the 25 per cent quota norms under which direct recruitment could be made to 75 per cent of the vacancies only, i.e., 35 of the posts, and leaving 12 to be filled up through promotions. If all the 47 advertised posts are filled up by way of direct recruitment, the prospect of those serving in the feeder cadre will be obliterated.
The court, after hearing the matter, directed the respondents that the appointment through direct recruitment in the cadre of Fishery Development Officer should not exceed the earmarked quota of 75 per cent and the balance vacancies (25 per cent) be reserved for those aspiring for promotion from the feeder cadre.
The Assam Fishery Service (Recruitment and Promotion) Orders-1989 stipulates that 25 per cent of the cadre strength FDOs be filled up by way of promotion. D Nath, additional senior Govt advocate, represented the Fishery department, while RK Talukdar was the standing counsel for the APSC.