PUNJAB STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD,PATIALA & ANR. ETC. vs RAVINDER KUMAR SHARMA & ORS., ETC.

The Supreme Court ruled that the differentiation between diploma and non-diploma qualified line men for promotion to the post of Line Superintendent under the P.W.D. (Electricity Branch) Provisional Class III (Subordinate Posts) Rules, 1952, is unconstitutional as it violates Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India. The Court held that such a quota system is arbitrary and adversely affects the promotional prospects of non-diploma holders, thereby affirming the lower court's decree that the plaintiff, being senior, is entitled to promotion from the date his juniors were promoted.