JUDGMENT

H.K. Sema, J.—I.A.No.3 for substituting the name of Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited (APTRANSCO) in place of Andhra Pradesh State Electricity Board (APSEB) is allowed. The appellants shall now be read as Chairman, Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited (APTRANSCO).

2. The challenge in this appeal is to the order dated 8.10.2001 passed by the Division Bench in Writ Appeal No. 1507 of 2001 affirming the order dated 27.4.2001 passed by the learned Single Judge in Writ Petition No. 16332 of 1996, whereby the appeal filed by the appellants was dismissed with costs.

3. Briefly stated, the facts are as follows:-

The respondent at the relevant time was working as Assistant Engineer under the Board. He was served with a charge memo dated 18.10.1993. The charge reads:-

"Sri M Kurmi Naidu, Asst. Engineer/Operation/Sakur reported to have released unauthorized agricultural pumpsets by violating set norms, rules and regulations which constitute misconduct as per A.P.S.E.Board (Revised) Conduct Regulations".

4. The respondent submitted his explanation to the charge. Not being satisfied with the explanation, an Enquiry Officer was appointed, who submitted the R