SECY., MINOR IRRIGATION DEPTT.& R.E.S. vs NARENDRA KUMAR TRIPATHI

The Supreme Court ruled that under the Uttar Pradesh Regularisation of Ad hoc Appointments Rules, 1979, the service of the writ petitioner as Assistant Engineer should be counted from the date of his initial ad hoc appointment on 12th June 1985, rather than from the date of regularization on 14th December 1989. The Court emphasized that Rule 7 of the 1979 Rules allows for seniority from the date of appointment after selection, thus establishing that continuous service in an ad hoc capacity is valid for seniority purposes. The appeals were dismissed in favor of the respondent, affirming his entitlement to seniority from the earlier date.