(1.) NO body appears on behalf of the petitioner.
(2.) HEARD Mr. R.S. Mazumdar, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent no. 3.
(3.) ACCORDING to the petitioner -Company, prior to nationalization of coal mines, respondent no. 3 worked as part time Medical Officer and after nationalization, he was appointed by the petitioner -Company on 5.9.1973, and as such, he is not entitled to gratuity prior to his said date of appointment.