JUDGMENT

D.P. Wadhwa, J.-Leave granted.

2. Appellant is aggrieved by the judgment dated September 24, 1997 of the Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High court dismissing his writ petition wherein he had claimed seniority as Assistant Director (Industries) w.e.f. February 8, 1979. Appellant claimed to be senior to respondents who had been appointed Assistant Directors (Industries) in September 1979. As per the seniority list dated January 25, 1996, appellant has been shown to have held the post of Assistant Director (industries) on October 25, 1982.

3. Appellant was appointed Assistant District Industries Officer (ADIO) on September 26, 1975 in the pay scale of Rs. 300-25-600. At that time pay scale for the post of Assistant Director (Industries) was Rs. 350-25-500-30-590/30-830/35-900. Service conditions of ADIO and Assitant Director (Industries) at the relevant time were governed by the Punjab Industries Service (State Service Class II) Rules, 1966. Post of Assistant Director (Industries) was a promotional post from the ADIO. Method of recruitment to the post of Assistant Director (Industries) was as under :

"Method of Recruitment. -Recruitment to the service shall be made in t