Sanjay Kumar, J.

1. The petitioner, an octogenarian, is aggrieved by the rejection of his claim for certain pensionary benefits by the Director General, Border Roads, New Delhi, the second respondent, under letter dated 22.05.2009 (wrongly mentioned as 22.05.2008).

2. There is no dispute as to the petitioners entitlement to pensionary benefits from 04.04.1979. He has been agitating his grievance in connection therewith since 1985 and this is the third round of litigation before this Court. Ergo, a lengthy and tortuous history precedes the case. Shorn of needless detail, the facts to the extent relevant may be summed up thus:

3. The petitioner entered the service of the Central Water and Power Commission, Government of India, in December, 1956. He was thereafter appointed to the General Reserve Engineer Force, Border Roads Development Board, in May 1963. In March, 1974, he was promoted as a Superintendent Engineer (Mechanical). He was deputed to work in M/s. Singareni Collieries Company Limited, a public sector undertaking, in April, 1975 and continued as such till April, 1979. He was permanently absorbed in M/s. Singareni Collieries Company Limited with effect from 04.04.1979. Th