In Brief
The State of Manipur conducted a selection process for Assistant Lineman posts in 1999. Before results could be declared, the government imposed a complete ban on direct recruitment due to financial crisis. In 2001, the government adopted a policy cancelling all prior selections. Selected candidates later sought appointment to equivalent Junior System Assistant posts advertised in 2016. The Supreme Court held that candidates have no indefeasible right to appointment merely from being selected; the government's bona fide policy decision to ban recruitment due to financial stringency was justified and valid. The selections were lawfully cancelled and could not be revived for different posts. The Court set aside the High Court's direction to appoint the candidates.
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