PUNJAB PANCHAYATI RAJ KHED PARISHAD Vs. JASMOHAN SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Was the respondent not entitled to the benefit of the Army Service rendered by him prior to his appointment as a Wrestling Coach with the Punjab Panchayati Raj Khed Parishad This is the short question that arises for consideration in this Letters Patent Appeal. A few facts may be noticed.

(2.) The respondent had joined the Indian Army on July 11, 1966 as a ranker. He was discharged on July 31, 1975. On January 9, 1976, the Punjab Panchayati Ra) Khed Parishad (hereinafter referred to as the Appellant) advertised posts of Coaches. 20% of these posts were reserved for Ex-servicemen. The respondents applied for being considered against one of the vacancies reserved for Ex-servicemen. He was selected. Vide order dated July 29, 1976, the respondent was appointed as a Wrestling Coach. He had actually joined on August 4, 1976.

(3.) Having joined the service, the respondent made a claim for the grant of benefit of military service rendered by him during the period from July 1966 to July 1975. Vide order dated April 28, 1978 copy of which has been placed on record as Annexure P.1/A, the appellant accepted the respondent's claim. He was deemed to have been appointed with effect from May 16, 1970. His seniority and pay were accordingly fixed.