By the Court.—Heard Sri S.P. Singh, learned Counsel for the petitioner and learned Standing Counsel for the respondents.

2. The writ petition is directed against the order dated 31.12.2006 passed by the Director of Education (Higher Education) U.P., Allahabad rejecting representation of the petitioner claiming salary on the post of officiating Principal of Mahatma Gandhi Post Graduate College, Fatehpur (hereinafter referred to as College").

3. The facts in brief as stated in the writ petition are that the College is a recognized and aided institution governed by the provisions of U.P. State Universities Act, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as 1973 Act") and is affiliated with Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj University, Kanpur (hereinafter referred to as the University"). Dr. Dipti Tripathi holding the office of the Principal of College expired on 17.11.2000 causing a substantive vacancy on the said post. The Management allowed the petitioner to discharge duties of the Principal pursuant whereto the petitioner took over charge on 20.11.2002 and his functioning as Principal of the College was approved by the Vice-Chancellor of the University vide order dated 2.12.2002. The petitione