JUDGMENT

KULDIP SINGH J.—Special leave granted.

2. Applications for impleadment are allowed.

3. The appellant was in the service of the Central Government for a period of about 15 years. He was thereafter permanently absorbed in a public undertaking, from where he retired on April 1, 1984. The question for cur consideration is whether the appellant on absorption in the public undertaking was eligible for pro rata pension and death-cum-retirement gratuity based on the length of his qualifying service under the Government till the date of absorption.

4. The appellant was serving the Audit Department (Defence Service) of the Government of India as Substantive Upper Division Clerk. He was sent on foreign service to Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. (public sector undertaking) on January 9/10, 1961. He was permanently absorbed in the public undertaking with effect from August 1, 1964. It is not disputed that the appellant, having joined Central Government service on July 25, 1949, had completed 15 years of pension able Government service. On the date of appellants permanent absorption in the public undertaking the retirement benefits were regulated by memorandum dated November 10, 1960 issu