Judgment

S.C. AGRAWAL, J.

(1) IN this appeal from the judgment dated 9/8/1988 passed by the central Administrative tribunal, Jabalpur bench, Madhya Pradesh (hereinafter referred to as "the tribunal") the question that arises for consideration is whether for the purpose of determination of seniority of the appellants in the Indian Forest Service (hereinafter referred to as "the Service") the period of their officiation on the post of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the State of Madhya Pradesh since 1977 till the date of their appointment to the Service should be taken into account.

(2) APPELLANTS 1 to 9 were selected for appointment to the post of Assistant Conservator of Forests in the Superior Forest Service of the State of Madhya Pradesh in the year 1964. After completion of their training at the Indian Forest College, Dehradun they were appointed as Assistant Conservator of Forests in the year 1966. Appellants 10 to 12 were selected for such training in 1965 and on completion of their training they were appointed as Assistant Conservator of Forests in 1967. They were all confirmed on the post of Assistant Conservator of Forests with effect from 1/10/