SOM RAJ AND ORS. ETC. vs STATE OF HARYANA AND ORS. ETC.

The Supreme Court upheld the distinction between the employees of the Directorate of Agriculture and those in subordinate offices under the Punjab Subordinate Agricultural Service Rules, 1933, affirming that they constitute separate cadres. The Court ruled that the classification does not violate Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution, as the government has the discretion to create different cadres for administrative convenience. The appeals for common seniority were dismissed, reinforcing the principle that appointments must adhere to the order of merit without arbitrary selection by the employer.