1 2025:CGHC:55248 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPS No. 4898 of 2023 1 - Godavri Mandavi W/o Kriparam Mandavi Aged About 35 Years R/o H.No.16, New Gad Colony, Ward No.3 Post Office And Tahsil Dantewada, District Dakshin Bastar Dantewada (C.G.) ... Petitioner(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary Revenue And Disaster Management Department Chhattisgarh, Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, New Raipur, District : Raipur, Chhattisgarh 2 - The Collector Dakshin Bastar Dantewada (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) For Petitioner(s) : Mr. Alok Kumar Dewangan, Advocate. For Respondent(s)/State : Mr. Dashrath Prajapati, Panel Lawyer. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad Order on Board 12/11/2025 1. By way of this petition, the petitioner has prayed for following reliefs:- “10.1 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to call for entire records of the case, from the authorities. RAGHVENDRA JAT Digitally signed by RAGHVENDRA JAT 2 10.2 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to direct the quash the advertisement dated 08/06/2023 (Annexure-P/1), whereby advertisement has been issued for filling the singular post of stenographer Grade-III through direct recruitment instead of promotion. 10.3 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to direct the authorities to fill up the singular post of stenographer Grade-III by promotion in accordance with law. 10.4 That, any other relief/order which may deem fit and just in the facts and circumstances of the case including award of the costs of the petition may be given.” 2. Brief facts of the case, is that, the petitioner was selected for the post of Steno-Typist, Class-III, in the pay scale of Rs. 5200–20200 with a Grade Pay of Rs. 1900, vide order dated 25.08.2012, as a reserved category candidate under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. Thereafter, vide order dated 30.07.2016, the petitioner was transferred to the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer, Dantewada, on administrative grounds. Subsequently, on 26.05.2023, a seniority list was published by respondent No. 2 concerning Class-III employees, in which the petitioner’s name appeared at Serial No. 1. Further, vide order dated 28.03.2023, the Office of the Collector, District Janjgir-Champa, promoted a similarly situated employee, Shri Tekram Jayaswal, from the post of Steno-Typist to Stenographer Grade-III. Likewise, by order 3 dated 26.05.2023, the Office of the Collector, District Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, promoted Smt. Alpa Behra from the post of Steno- Typist to Stenographer Grade-III. Moreover, circulars/notifications dated 21.12.2006 and 07.06.2016 were issued by the Secretary, Department of General Administration, providing that 50% of such posts shall be filled by direct recruitment and 50% by promotion, and in cases where only one post is available, it shall be filled by promotion. The petitioner also made representations dated 16.09.2022 and 12.06.2023 before respondent No. 2 seeking promotion to the post of Stenographer. However, vide letter dated 19.06.2023, the office of respondent No. 2 rejected the petitioner’s claim for promotion, citing the absence of a provision for promotion to the post of Stenographer. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is fully eligible for promotion to the post of Stenographer Grade-III. It is further submitted that as per the circular issued by the State Government, which is annexed as Annexure P/7 to the petition, 50% of the posts are to be filled through direct recruitment and the remaining 50% through promotion. Despite being eligible and qualified for promotion, the petitioner has not been considered for the said post of Stenographer Grade-III, which was advertised vide notification dated 08.06.2023, wherein two posts were available. The petitioner, being a Steno Typist, is entitled to be considered for promotion against one of the said posts in accordance with the aforesaid circular. 4 4. Learned counsel for the State submits that out of the two available posts, one has already been duly filled through the process of direct recruitment in accordance with the applicable rules and procedure. However, with regard to the remaining post, learned counsel expresses her inability to make any specific submission at this stage, as no clear instructions or information are presently available with her in respect of the status of that post. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the material available on record. 6. Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, and taking into account that the petitioner fulfills all requisite eligibility criteria for promotion to the post of Stenographer Grade-III, it is hereby directed that the competent authorities, namely respondents No. 1 and 2, shall duly consider the petitioner’s case for promotion to the said post in accordance with law, applicable rules, and prevailing government circulars, within a reasonable period of time. 7. It is hereby clarified that this Court has not expressed or formed any opinion on the merits of the present case, and all issues raised herein shall remain open to be adjudicated by the competent authority or appropriate forum in accordance with law, uninfluenced by any observations made during the course of this proceeding. 8. The concerned respondent authorities are granted liberty to examine and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law after 5 due consideration of the petitioner’s representation and by duly assessing her eligibility and suitability for promotion to the post of Stenographer Grade-III. While doing so, the authorities shall ensure that all relevant rules, regulations, and criteria governing such promotion are meticulously adhered to, and the petitioner’s case is objectively evaluated based on her merit and entitlement under the applicable service provisions. 9. The petitioner is directed to file a fresh detailed representation raising all her grievances before the authorities concerned within a period of four weeks and, in turn, the concerned authorities are directed to decide the said representation within a period of 45 days. 10. With this observation and direction, the writ petition is disposed of. Sd/- (Amitendra Kishore Prasad) Judge Raghu Jat