S UDAYA BHASKER REDDY Vs. TIRUMALA TIRUPATHI DEVASTHANAMS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In these two Writ Petitions, common question of law and fact arise for consideration; therefore, they are being disposed of by this common Order.

(2.) The only question that arises for consideration in these Writ Petitions is whether U.D. Stenographers, on their conversion to the post of Senior Assistant, are entitled to reckon their seniority in the cadre of Senior Assistant from the date of their promotion/appointment as U.D. Stenographer or from the date of conversion as Senior Assistant ?

(3.) Petitioners are all promoted as Senior Assistants from the post of Junior Assistant directly, whereas, the unofficial respondents being U.D. Stenographers were converted as Senior Assistants after completion of 3 years of service in the cadre of U.D. Stenographer. Therefore, it is the contention of the petitioners that U.D. Stenographers, who have been converted as Senior Assistants, cannot claim seniority in the cadre of Senior Assistant from the date of their appointment/promotion in the cadre of U.D. Stenographer. Whereas, according to the unofficial respondents, conversion has no consequence whatsoever and it is not a promotion; as such, they are entitled to reckon their seniority in the cadre of Senior Assistant from the date of their promotion/appointment as U.D. Stenographer and not from the date of conversion as contended by the petitioners. Learned counsel relied upon Rule 6 of Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams Service Rules, 1989, which reads as under: