P.SADAGOPAN vs FOOD CORPN. OF INDIA

The Supreme Court held that executive instructions cannot override statutory Regulations, specifically Regulation 10 of the Staff Regulations, 1971, which mandates three years of experience as a pre-condition for promotion from Assistant Category I to Assistant Manager Category II. The Court found that the Division Bench of the Madras High Court erred in allowing the Board to relax this requirement and not consider all eligible candidates, including those from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Court set aside the Division Bench's order and directed the authorities to determine promotions in accordance with statutory Regulations within six months.