Judgment

BHAGWATI, J.:- This appeal raises the question whether the appellant has been given his proper rank in the joint seniority list of officers belonging to the Provincial Civil Medical Service, Class I after its reorganisation on 15th July, 1964.

2. There were, in the State of Punjab prior to 15th July, 1964, two separate and independent services namely, Provincial Civil Medical Service (hereinafter for the sake of brevity referred to as PCMS) and Public Health Service. Both services comprised two classes, Class I and Class II, and each had its own separate ranking for seniority and channel of promotion. The post of District Medical Officer of Health was a post in Class II of the Public Health Service, while the post of Assistant Director Health Services was a post in Class I of that Service. The appellant and one Dr. Jagjit Singh were, until their promotion with retrospective effect from 25th April, 1964, District Medical Officers of Health in Class II of Public Health Service. Dr. Jagjit Singh was admittedly senior to the appellant in rank. Respondents Nos. 3 to 19 were, until their promotion by an order dated 8th April, 1964, in Class II of PCMS. It appears that some posts i