JUDGMENT

D.K. Jain, J. —

Special leave granted.

2. These appeals are directed against a common judgment and order dated 8th July, 2004 passed by the High Court of Judicature, Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad in Cross Writ Appeals No.767 and 846 of 2000. By the impugned judgment, the Division Bench while reversing the decision of the learned Single Judge has held that the appellant is eligible for conversion as Assistant Executive Engineer only with effect from 26th October, 1989 and not from an anterior date when he passed the qualifying graduate examination i.e. 28th August, 1983.

3. To understand the controversy involved, a few material facts may be stated, which are as under:

The appellant, a diploma holder, who was initially sponsored by the Employment Exchange for the post of “Supervisor”, was considered and appointed as a “Draughtsman Grade-I” in Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams (for short ‘TTD’) on 3rd August, 1977. The post of Draughtsman Grade-I was considered to be lower to the post of “Supervisor”. On 17th March, 1978, by G.O. 563, the State of Andhra Pradesh provided some promotional opportunities to the Supervisors. It was ordered that Supervisors who acquire engineering gra