Sham Sunder, J.

1. The petitioner was initially appointed as Inspector, Cooperative Societies vide order dated 11.4.1975, and he joined his duties on 15.4.1975. Thereafter, he was promoted as Assistant Registrar, vide order dated 4.5.2001 (Annexure P-2). The petitioner is governed by the Punjab State Co-operative Service Class II Rules, 1958. According to Rule 9(b) every member of the service, shall unless exempted by the Government, pass by the higher standard the departmental examination, in accounts, within a period of two years, which is further extendable by the Government. It was stated that under Rule 13 of the said Rules, relaxation can be given, in case of women candidates, and under Rule 17, the Government is vested with the general power, to relax the operation of any of the Rules, in case the same causes, hardship, in any particular case. It was further stated that the petitioner met with an accident, and suffered multiple injuries, on his body. Resultantly, his disability was more than 40%. In this respect, a certificate dated 20.3.2001 (Annexure P-3) was issued by the office of the Civil Surgeon, Patiala. It was further stated that the petitioner having suffer