ORDER :

P. Naveen Rao, J.

1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Government Pleader for Services II appearing for the respondents.

2. Petitioner joined service as Junior Assistant in the year 2010, promoted as Senior Assistant in the year 2013, further promoted as Deputy Tahsildar (Civil Supplies) in the year 2019 and now aspiring for promotion as Assistant Civil Supply Officer. Petitioner is challenging the order of punishment dated 31.12.2016 withholding one annual increment without cumulative effect, as affirmed by the Appellate Authority vide his proceedings dated 12.09.2017.

3. According to learned counsel for the petitioner, the Disciplinary Authority has not followed the procedure specified in Telangana State Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1991 (for short 'the CCA Rules, 1991'), more particularly the procedure prescribed in Rule 20 while conducting disciplinary proceedings and imposing punishment and on that ground alone, the proceedings are liable to be set aside.

4. According to learned counsel, charges were framed under Rule 20 of the CCA Rules. Rule 20 mandates to hold detailed enquiry by following the procedure indicated therein,