Arup Kumar Goswami, J.

1. Heard Mr. K. K. Mahanta, learned Sr. Counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. K. Goswami, learned counsel appearing for the respondent No. 5 and Ms. P. Bhattacharjee, learned Standing Counsel, Education. The sole point for consideration in this case is as to whether the past service of the petitioner in Assam Syntex Ltd., a Government of Assam Undertaking can be taken into consideration for the purpose of counting his seniority in Assam Textile Institute, a Government institute, from the date of his appointment there as a Lecturer on 04.07.1994.

2. The petitioner was appointed on 13.03.1996 as Sr. Technical Supervisor in Assam Syntex Ltd., which is a sister concern of Assam Industrial Development Corporation, in short, AIDC, also a Government of Assam Undertaking. The petitioner is a graduate in Textile Engineering and had initially joined as Management Trainee (Textile) in AIDC Ltd. 18.01.1985.

3. During his tenure in the Assam Syntex Ltd., the petitioner earned certain promotions, a detailed discussion of which is not relevant for this case. Subsequently, the petitioner, pursuant to an advertisement, submitted his candidature for his appointment a