1. The petitioner challenges Ext. P1 Government Order dated 1st July 1998 and Ext. P4 Government Order dated 17th October 1997 imposing the penalty of barring her one increment for a period of two years without cumulative effect and directing the petitioner to remit a sum of Rs. 14,069 being the loss sustained by the Government.

2. As per Ext. P-2 memo of charges dated 19th May 1997, while holding the post of Assistant Director of Agriculture, Perinthalmanna the petitioner was indifferent, irresponsible and negligent in the discharge of her official duties and she failed (i) to arrange pre-measurements of the earthwork of the foundation of the construction of a side protection wall at Melkulangara - Poonthal Parasekharam, (ii) to insist for the production of invoices of the work by the Convenor as laid down in the Government Order on the subject and (iii) to assure Engineering supersession while the construction work was being executed, which finally resulted in the overpayment of an amount Rs.56,274 to the Convenor of the Padasekhara Samithy. According to the memo of charges the above actions of the petitioner amounted to serious dereliction of duty and grave irregulari