JUDGMENT :

Heard Shri A. Ganguli, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Ms. S. Baruah, learned CGC for the respondent no.1. Shri S.N. Sarma, learned senior counsel assisted by Shri K. Kalita, learned counsel has appeared for the contesting respondent nos. 2 to 9.

2) Considering the subject matter in dispute and also the fact that exchange of pleadings are already complete, this writ petition is taken up for disposal at the admission stage.

3) The petitioner is aggrieved by the action on the respondent authorities in not considering his prayer for correcting his date of birth in his Service Book. While the petitioner claims his date of birth to be 31.05.1967, the one recorded in his Service Book is 07.05.1960 as a result of which according to the petitioner he would be deprived from his entitlement to be in service for a period of approximately seven years.

4) Before going to the issue which calls for determination, it would be convenient to place the basic facts on record. The petitioner claims to have read upon to Class IX and is equipped with a school certificate issued by the Head Master of the Bhadoi H. E. School, in which the age was stated to be 15 years 7 months. The pe