In Brief
This appeal concerns the validity of a scheme clause disqualifying worker-employees with less than three years of residual service before superannuation from nomination as Directors of nationalized banks. The appellants, a registered trade union, challenged the rejection of their nominated panel on this ground, arguing discrimination in disqualification criteria between worker and officer employees violated constitutional equality. The Supreme Court upheld the scheme as valid. The Court held that worker and officer employees, governed by different statutory regimes, are not equals and may legitimately face different qualification standards. Article 14 applies only between equals. Disqualifications must be assessed at nomination, not after appointment. The appeal was dismissed.
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