P. Sam Koshy, J
1. Heard on admission.
2. The grievance ventilated through this petition is on account of non- consideration of petitioner's case for promotion on the next higher post of
Teacher (Panchayat).
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is in public employment with avenue of promotion provided under the Govt. recruitment
rules known as Chhattisgarh Teacher (Panchayat) Cadre (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2012. It is submitted that the petitioner has
completed minimum eligibility of 7 years and large number of posts of Teacher (Panchayat) are lying vacant. The petitioner enjoys a very high position
in the seniority list and is therefore within the zone of consideration. However, till date, respondents have not considered the case of the petitioner for
promotion.
4. Learned counsel for the State submits that this grievance can be ventilated by the petitioner invoking the remedy of statutory representation to the
competent authority as provided under Rule 18 (1) (b) of the Panchayat Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1999 (for short ""the Rules of 1999 "").
A perusal of the aforesaid Rule clearly provides that a member of the Panchayat Service may make representation against an order which amongst
others, denies promotion to a higher post or service to which is otherwise eligible according to recruitment rules and which is due to her in accordance
to seniority.
5. This Court, in similar cases, has already disposed off the petition with a direction to consider representation in terms of statutory rules.
6. Accordingly, this petition is also disposed off with a direction that in case the petitioner prefers representation, the same shall be considered and
decided by the authority by speaking order within a period of 6 months from the date of receipt of representation.