KORE GATTAIAH Vs. SINGARENI COLLIERIES COMPANY LTD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) PETITIONER Kore Gattaiah joined in service of the respondents Company as worker trainee on 24. 01. 1977. He claims that he was aged 25 years as on the date of his joining in service. He was promoted as Coal Filler and further promoted as general Mazdoor, Charger of Safety Lamps and Lamp Room Assistant. He was sent for medical examination by the respondents Company in January, 2008. According to him, the Apex Medical Board unilaterally determined his age as 59 years as on 24. 01. 2008 and notified his date of retirement as 31. 01. 2009. He made representation 08. 11. 2008 raising objections for determination of his age as 59 years as on 24. 01. 2008. The General Manager, Singareni Collieries Company limited, Kalyani Khani Post-2nd respondent by proceedings dated 26. 11. 2008 rejected the objections. It is his contention that he was aged 25 years as on the date of his joining service and therefore, he was entitled to be continued in service upto 2012. He filed the writ petition challenging the proceedings no. MMR/per/s/171/08/5965, dated 26. 11. 2008, issued by the 2nd respondent as illegal and arbitrary.

(2.) RULE Nisi came to be issued on 28. 12. 2008.

(3.) THE respondents filed counter-affidavit stating that the petitioner was examined by the doctor on the date of his initial appointment and assessed his age as 25 years and the same was entered in B-Register, Service Record and Coal mines Provident Fund records. In view of the discrepancy with regard to the date of entry into service, his case was referred to the Area Age Determination committee, which considered the material placed on record and recommended to refer the case of the petitioner to the Apex Medial Board for assessment of correct age. The petitioner affixed his signature on the proceedings of the area Age Determination Committee in token of acceptance of the proceedings. The apex Medical Board had reviewed the case of the petitioner on 24. 01. 2008 at Main hospital, Kothagudem. The petitioner appeared before the Apex Medical Board and informed of not having any evidence as proof of his date of birth. Thereupon, the Apex Medical Board conducted required medical examinations and arrived at a conclusion that the petitioner was aged 59 years as on 24. 01. 2008. As per the guidelines formulated by the JBCCI, the decision of the Apex Medical Board is binding on the respondents Company and the petitioner. The contention of the petitioner that the Apex Medical Board did not examine him medically has been denied. Paras. 8 and 9 of the counter-affidavit need to be noted and they are thus: