Hasnain Massodi, J.:-

1. Petitioner is a member of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service. He was vide Government Order No. 20-GR (H & P) of 1990 dated 16.07.1990 appointed as Additional Trade Agent in Department of Hospitality and Protocol in the pay scale of Rs. 2030-4050 at Mumbai. He Government order No. HP-TA-21 of 1991 dated 19.11.1991 was paced against the post of Trade Agent in the pay scale of Rs. 2350-4050 Now Revised to Rs. 10000-15200). Petitioner's appointment as Trade Agent was regularized vide Government Order No. 1-GR (H & P) of 1992 dated 21.02.1992. Commissioner Secretary to Government, General Administration department vide communication No. GAD (Ser)KAS-30/93-II dated 30.07.1998 asked the petitioner to exercise option for being considered for appointment to Kashmir Administrative Service (hereafter the Service). However communication was not received by petitioner as it was addressed to his previous place of posting, i.e. Office of Resident Commissioner, New Delhi. He on his posting as Dy. Secretary to Government Revenue Department acquired knowledge about the aforementioned communication and vide his letter dated 14th July 1999, conveyed his option