B.Tech degree holders cannot apply for JE posts: Orissa HC

A candidate with an engineering degree cannot apply or participate in the selection process for the post of Junior Engineer (JE) in different government departments, observed Orissa High Court. The candidates need to have a Diploma in Engineering for the JE posts, the top court ruled.

The top court upheld the verdict of a single judge and dismissed a batch of petitions seeking intervention against diplomas as the required qualification for JE posts. 

Background of the Case:

The petitions were filed by candidates with B.Tech degrees after the Orissa Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) issued an advertisement in December 2023 for the Combined Technical Services Recruitment Examination, 2023 for appointment to the posts of junior engineer.
 
The single judge observed that candidates who don’t have a Diploma in Engineering cannot apply for the JE posts. Later, some B. Tech candidates filed appeals challenging the verdict. However, the HC upheld the single judge’s order.

Court’s Observation:

The division bench of acting Chief Justice Arindam Sinha and Justice M S Sahoo stated, “Impunged judgment needs no interference.”

“In this case, we are satisfied that the government has been able to demonstrate separation of cadre, which implies that the work of a junior engineer can be done by a diploma holder, while the work of an assistant executive engineer can only be executed by those having higher qualification of degree in engineering,” the bench observed.

“Intention of state by the subordinate legislation is thus clear on providing for two separate cadres. One for diploma engineers and the other for degree engineers,” the bench also observed.