Judgment-

M. M. DUTT

( 1 ) THIS appeal by special leave is directed against the judgment of the Himachal Pradesh High Court dimissing the writ petition of the appellant challenging the Government order dated 28/04/1982 as a result of which the appellant was placed below the respondents Nos. 4 and 5 in the seniority list.

( 2 ) THE appellant was appointed a Reception Officer in the Department of Public Relations and Tourism, Himchal Pradesh, on 26/02/1962 and was confirmed in that post on 12/05/1966. He was temporarily:, promoted to the post of District Public Relations Officer in the pay-scale of Rs. 250-500 on 18/05/1963. On 3/06/1966, a post of Assistant Manager, Tourism, was created in the, pay-scale of Rs. 250-500. One S. P. Singh, who was junior to the appellant was appointed to that post inasmuch as the appellant was already holding the post of District Public Relations Officer in the same scale of pay. It may be stated here that both the posts of District Public Relations Officer and Assistant Manager were ex cadre posts.

( 3 ) ON 26/07/1966, the Department of Public Relations and Tourism was bifurcated and a separate Department of Tourism was created. It is the case of the ap