R S AJARA vs STATE OF GUJARAT

The Supreme Court upheld the Gujarat High Court's decision regarding the seniority of Assistant Conservators of Forests, affirming that the training period for directly recruited officers should be considered for seniority as per the Government of Gujarat's resolution dated January 31, 1992. The Court clarified that the seniority of Assistant Conservators selected through direct recruitment from 1979 onwards is to be determined from the date they commence their training. This ruling reinforces the provisions of the Assistant Conservator of Forests [Gujarat Forest Service Class II] Recruitment Rules, 1981, which govern the appointment and training of these officers.