Anjali Arora vs National Thermal Power Corporation

In The High Court Of Delhi At New Delhi

C.W.P.No. 7120 Of 2002

In a case that sets precedence, Anjali Arora under the counsel of Ashok Agarwal, Social
Jurist, New Delhi, challenged the Constitutional validity of the rejection of her candidature
by the National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd, for the post of Assistant Law Officer as her
educational qualifications did not meet the criteria.

The details:

1. Anjali Arora is visually challenged with a Degree in Law from the Delhi University
and is enrolled as an Advocate with the Delhi State Bar Council since 1998.
2. She applied for the post of Assistant Law Officer under the "Physically Handicapped"
category for a post advertised in Employment News dated 28th September-4th
October 2002. The post required a Graduate Degree in Law (Professional) from a
recognized University with at least 60% marks (only Pass marks required for SC/ ST
candidates).
3. Anjali Arora completed her degree of law in 1998 with 58.73%. Her candidature was
rejected on the grounds that she did not fulfill the minimum criteria of 60 percent of
marks.

The discrepancies:

In terms of OM No. 14016/1/85-Estt. (SCT) Deptt. Personnel and Training, Govt. of India
dated 04.09.1995, candidates belonging to physically handicapped category are also legally
entitled to the same benefits /relaxations as other reserved quotas.

The judgment:

Order passed: 15.07.2003

The court directed the NTPC to give relaxation to physically handicapped candidates as is
available to scheduled caste/scheduled tribe candidates in educational qualifications ie, pass
marks. This concession would have to be reviewed after five years.

The OM from the GI Deptt. Per. & Trg.OM No. 14016/1/85-Estt. (SCT) dated 04.09.1995 is
as under:

Subject: Relaxed standard of selection of physically handicapped person

against reserved vacancies.

According to the instructions in this department's O.M NO. 1/1/70- Estt. (SCT), dated
2.07.1970 (See Order 7 under Section 2) in the case of direct recruitment, whether by
examination or otherwise, if sufficient number of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes
candidates are not available on basis of the general standard to fill all the vacancies
reserved for them. Candidates belonging to the communities are allowed to be selected
under the relaxed standard of selection to make up the deficiency in the reserved quota,
subject to the fitness of these candidates for appointment to the post/posts in question. The
question of extending this concession to physically handicapped persons has also been
under consideration of the government of India and it has been decided that the
instructions of the OM dated the 25 July, 1970 aforementioned will apply mutatis mutandis
to physically handicapped persons also".