( 1. ) THE petitioner, Maheschhandra Srivastava, was appointed to the post of Curator, Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum, Raipur, on probation for a period of two years by the State Government by order dated 17th February 1968. The petitioner took over charge of his post on 15th April 1968. The State Government, by order dated 7th August 1973, terminated the services of the petitioner by giving one months notice. The petitioner then filed this petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, challenging the order of the State Government.

( 2. ) IT is not disputed before us that the conditions of service of the petitioner were governed by the M. P. Civil Services (General Conditions of Service) Rules, 1961. Rule 8 is the relevant rule on the point which reads as follows:

"8. Probation.- (1) A person appointed to a service or post by direct recruitment shall ordinarily be placed on probation for such period as may be prescribed. (2) The appointing authority may, for sufficient reasons, extend the period of probation by a further period not exceeding one year. Note.- A probationer whose period of probation is not extended under this sub-rule but who has neither been conf