ORDER

Leave granted. We have heard learned counsel on both sides.

2. This appeal, by special leave, arises from the order dated 18.12.1996 by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Allahabad Bench in O.A. No. 1024/95.

3. The appellants were initially drafted on the diesel side of the locomotive operations. Subsequently, on introduction of electrical engines they were given training and were absorbed on the electrical locomotive side. The question of i seniority of employees already working on the electrical locomotive side and those shifted from the diesel locomotive side to the electrical locomotive side had arisen. The Tribunal has held that since they were deployed to the electrical side for the first time, their seniority was required to be adjudged from the date of their deployment in the electrical locomotive operations and the previous service cannot be counted for the purpose of determination of inter se seniority. This controversy was considered by this Court in Rama Kant Chaturvedi v. Divisional Supdt., Northern Railway1 wherein this Court had held as under :

"The Diesel Unit of the Railways was constituted for the first time apart from the Steam Unit already existing. The two