1. - This writ petition has been filed by the petitioner-Lalit Sharma, aggrieved by the order dated 7.5.1996 by which penalty of reduction of his pay by five stages and retaining the same at the same level, till his retirement was awarded to him. Petitioner has also prayed for consequential benefits together with interest @ 24% per annum.

2. Petitioner was at the relevant time working as Agricultural Officer in the Agriculture Department of the Government of Rajasthan. The dispute pertains to the period when he was posted on deputation on the post of Development Officer, Panchayat Samiti, Tijara, District Alwar from 7.4.1982 to 9.8.1982 and a charge sheet under Rule 16 of the Rajasthan Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1958 was served on the petitioner on 13.11.1984 for certain financial irregularities. Nine witnesses were produced by the department, whereas petitioner apart from him, produced one Daulat Ram Jain as his witness. The enquiry officer concluded the enquiry and submitted report on 9.3.1988 in which he found charges no. 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7 proved and charge no.3 party proved and charge no.5 not proved. The disciplinary authority accepting t