In Brief
The Supreme Court held that under the Recognition of Service Association Rules 1993, the term "distinct category" of government servants refers to all employees in a geographical region classified by their group level (A, B, C, D), not by individual job descriptions like drivers or stenographers. An association of drivers alone cannot form a "distinct category" eligible for recognition. The Court reasoned that allowing job-based associations would multiply fragmented organizations, defeating the scheme's purpose of promoting common service interests through unified consultation with all employee groups. The administrative clarification from 1994 correctly interpreting the Rules was upheld, and the High Court's decision granting recognition to the drivers' association was overturned.
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