JUDGMENT :

Om Prakash Shukla, J.

A. INTRODUCTION

(1) Heard Shri Sameer Kalia, learned Counsel representing the appellant and Shri Anil Kumar Singh ‘Visen’, learned Standing Counsel for the State/respondents.

(2) The present writ petition under Article 226 has been filed assailing the judgment and order dated 22.09.2022 passed by the State Public Service Tribunal, Lucknow (hereinafter referred to as "Tribunal"), whereby Claim Petition No.370 of 2022 filed by the claimant/petitioner against the order of punishment dated 22.12.2021, by which he was awarded two minor penalties i.e. (1) Censure; and (2) stoppage of one increment for one year, has been dismissed.

B. FACTUAL MATRIX

(3) As per the records available on the file of the present case, the petitioner was initially appointed on the post of Assistant Ashok Kumar Singh Vs. State of U.P. and another

Commissioner Sales Tax under the Commissioner, Commercial Tax (respondent no.2) on 29.9.1998 after having been selected for the said post by the U.P. Public Service Commission. Subsequently, on account of his excellent services, the petitioner was promoted to the post of Deputy Commissioner in the year 2009 and thereafter again in the year 201