The present petition has been preferred for challenging the orders/communications/letters issued by the respondents, which are at Annexure 2 dated 11 th April, 2003, Annexure 4 dated 61h May, 2003, Annexure-10 dated 7th May, 2004, Annexure-11 dated 6th July 2004 and Annexure-16 dated 5th December, 2005, whereby, the present petitioner was denied the benefit of continuation of services for the period running from 20th February, 2003 to 7th May, 2003. Against this decision of the respondents, the present petition has been preferred by the petitioner and thereby the petitioner has also prayed that the respondents be directed to make payment of attached pay allowances and such other service benefits for the aforesaid period.

2. The main issue raised in this petition is as under:-

"What is the meaning of the term 'dies-non' and under what circumstances the period of service of an employee can be treated 'dies-non' period?"

3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner was initially appointed as Chief General Manager (Personnel), Coal India Limited and, thereafter, he was appointed as Director (Personnel), Eastern Coalfields Limited, which was the tenur