( 1 ) SINCE common questions of facts and law are involved in these two writ petitions, they are disposed off by this common order.

( 2 ) FACTS in W. P. No. 12946/1995: petitioner had joined the services of respondent-Andhra Bank, a body constituted under the provisions of Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) act, 1980, as Probationary-Officer-Grade III on January 5, 1976. While in service, he had earned successive promotions. At the time of filing of this writ petition, he was working as officer, Middle Management-Grade Scale II.

( 3 ) WHILE he was working at Jayanagar branch of the respondent Bank, he was kept under suspension by an order dated July 21, 1986 and subsequently disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him by issuing a charge memo dated September 13, 1986. The proceedings culminated in imposing a penalty of 'censure' by the disciplinary authority by an order dated November 7/9, 1994. The disciplinary authority had further ordered that the period of suspension shall not be treated as on duty except for the purpose of terminal benefits. In the very same order, petitioner was informed that the order of suspension made on Jul