Manmohan Sarin, J.

1. Petitioner by the present petition assails the judgment and order dated 12.8.2003 in OA No.3020/2002 and order dated 28.11.2003 in R.A. No.316/2003, passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi, dismissing his OA and Revision Application. Tribunal proceeded on the ground that OM dated 10.7.1998, on which reliance was placed by the respondents to defend its action of refusing to grant pay protection, has not been challenged by the petitioner. Furthermore, in the absence of such a challenge, the Tribunal refused to question the rationale of the said OM.

2. Facts leading to the filing of the present petition may be noted:

(i) Petitioner is a B.E. (Electronics and Tele Communication) and holds a Master's degree in International Business. Petitioner appeared for the All India Civil Services Examination. He cleared the preliminary examination in May, 1998 and was declared successful in the main examination on 9.6.1999. He was working as Senior Officer (Marketing) in Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) from 17.8.1998 on probation for a period of one year. Petitioner, in order to join the civil services, resigned from VSNL on