Govt told to amend recruitment rule

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the State government to amend the rule relating to recruitment of police constables, which is still based on the old pattern of educational qualification system.
Though the new educational pattern of 10+2+3 was adopted in the State as early as in 1978, even after passing of 38 years, the sub-rule 4(c) of the Special Rules prescribing 11+3 pattern of educational qualification had not been amended. With passage of time, the rule has become particularly redundant and now, obsolete, a division bench said on Wednesday.

The bench was dismissing a writ appeal from the State Home (Pol-II) department and the DGP assailing an order dated April 7, 2014 of a single judge ordering promotion to a constable on the basis of his old pattern of educational qualification.

C Pitchandi, now working as inspector, TSP V Avadi, studied SSLC prior to 1978. He was denied promotion on the ground that his old pattern of 11+3 study cannot be accepted.

Dismissing the appeal, the bench pointed out that taking advantage of the obsolete pattern of the rules, the appellant had granted exemption and promotion to two other similarly-placed policemen. When it came to the case of Pitchandi, it was denied.

The bench also directed the Law Secretary to see to it that redundant rules are duly corrected and updated.