On 28.8.1961, petitioner was appointed as Production Practice Trainee in the Assam Oil Company and joined the service in such capacity. On 1.1.1962, petitioner was transferred to Oil India Limited in the same capacity. In the year 1981, he was promoted to the post of Assistant Production Engineer under Executive Grade-A. Thereafter, in the year 1983 he was again promoted to the post of Production Engineer under Executive Grade-B. In the year 1987, again he was promoted to the post of Senior Engineer Production under Executive Grade-C. In the year 1991, he was promoted to the post of Deputy Superintending Engineer (Production) under Executive Grade-C. On 22.6.1996, petitioner was promoted to the post of Superintending Engineer (Production) under Executive Grade-D. On July, 1996 he sought privilege leave from 5.8.96 to 3.10.96. Leave was granted by the competent authority. Before the aforesaid leave expired, he sought for extension of leave by 30 days and the same was also granted till 2.11.96. On 26.10.96, petitioner submitted an application to respondent No. 5 through respondent No. 4 intimating his intention to voluntary retire from the service of respondent No. 1 w