JUDGMENT

Arijit Pasayat, J.-Challenge in these appeals is to the order passed by the Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal at Hyderabad (in short the Tribunal ). The controversy lies within a very narrow compass i.e. the date of seniority of the appellant and, therefore, a brief reference to the factual aspects would suffice.

2. Appellant joined as Welfare Officer in Andhra Pradesh Jails Department on 8-9-1978. He completed his probation on 5-10-1981. On 16-6-1983, nine posts of Deputy Superintendent of Jails were notified to be filled up and on 25-8-1983 an advertisement was issued by a requisite Gazette Notification by the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (in short the Commission ) for filling up the aforesaid vacancies by direct recruitment. Five years service is required for an employee other than a direct recruit to be eligible for consideration for the said post. On 16-10-1984, 11 prisons welfare officers and jailors were appointed as Deputy Superintendents of Jails on ad hoc basis. Appellant joined as Deputy Superintendent of Jails on 20-10-1984 on the aforesaid ad hoc basis. The Commission conducted the written examination in October 1985 and interviews were condu