K R SRINIVASAN Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner was appointed as a Commissioned Officer on 15. 5. 1967 in the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy. During his service he specialized in "hydrography" some time in Jan. 1969 while posted in the executive branch. He was then assigned his duties in Hydrographic Section of the Executive Branch.

(2.) IN 1976 the Navy started an exercise for creating a separate hydrographic Cadre to retain professionalism in the service. They also sought views of those who were working in this branch and gave them option to come back to the general cadre while retaining the filial decision to be taken by the Naval Headquarters vide letter No. NA/1648/76, dated 25. 3. 1976. The petitioner as well as others requested to come back to the general branch but the said option was refused at that time.

(3.) HOWEVER, based on the inputs from the naval commands and the apprehensions of vast majority (over 80%) of the hydrographic officers, including the petitioner, the Naval Headquarters after deliberations within and at the PSOs meeting on 02 Jan. 1977, decided to form a separate hydrographic cadre within the Executive Branch due to the exigencies of the services. '