JUDGMENT :

R.N. Biswal, J. - In this writ petition, the petitioner seeks to challenge the order of punishment passed by opp.party as per Annexure-11 directing 20% of his pension to be reduced permanently, and the order of the appellate authority confirming the same under Annexure-13.

2. As per the writ petition, having been duly selected, the . petitioner was appointed as Sub-Assistant Engineer (Electrical) on 13.1.1975 by the Chief Engineer, Orissa State Electricity Board, Bhubaneswar and retired from service on superannuation from GRIDCO on 31.3.2003. After "his retirement, opp.party No. 1 served with a charge sheet on the gro.und that while he was working as Junior Engineer at Bhanjanagar Sub-Division for the period 9.12.1981 to 28.8.1990, he committed the following irregularities:

(1) Negligence in duty to lack of proper supervision of construction work of the tower;

(2) Caused heavy financial loss to OSEB/GRIDCO;

(3) Gross misconduct;

3. It was alleged that due to his negligence, during construction of EHT towers, on Bhanjanagar-Chandaka 220 K.V. Double Circuit Lines EHT tower Nos. 178 and 179 got uprooted on 2.6.2003. During investigation, by a committee, to find out the cause of s