JUDGMENT :

DIPANKAR DATTA, J.

1. Whether or not the period of probationary service rendered by the petitioner would count for qualifying service to receive pension, is the question that has engaged our consideration while hearing this writ petition.

2. Filtering out unnecessary facts, we find that the petitioner was appointed by the Branch Manager, State Bank of India (SBI), respondent no. 4 as Cashier-cum-Clerk in the pay-scale of Rs. 520 - Rs. 1,660 on 23rd October 1985 subject to the 8 (eight) conditions mentioned therein. While condition no. (i) required the petitioner to be on probation for a period of 6 (six) months, which could be extended at the absolute discretion of the Bank by 3 (three) months, condition no. (v) stipulated that the petitioner would be considered for confirmation of service if, at the end of the probationary period, she was found to the satisfaction of the Bank, to be deserving of such confirmation in service. After satisfactory discharge of service during the probationary period, the petitioner was confirmed by an order dated 23rd April 1986 of the respondent no. 4.

3. The SBI Voluntary Retirement Scheme (SBIVRS) dated 30th December 2000 was introduced conve