JUDGMENT

The petitioner is aggrieved by the rejection of his representation requesting to assign him seniority as Sub Engineer with effect from the date of his appointment as Foreman Gr II.

2. Petitioner was appointed as a Foreman Gr.II in the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) on 24.4.1995 on advice by the Kerala Public Service Commission. The posts of Foreman (Civil) and Sub Engineer (Civil) were integrated w.e.f 29.08.2000, based on which the petitioner became Sub Engineer (Civil). It is stated that the integration was on the basis of Ext.P1 long term settlement entered into between the recognised trade unions and the KSEB as provided under the staff pattern of executive staff provided in Article VII. Sub clause 5 thereof provided that the existing Foremen (Civil) who were appointed through Kerala Public Service Commission would be integrated with Sub Engineer (Civil) and the post of Foreman (Civil) would be abolished on the date of the settlement. It is stated that there were only 5 Foremen (Civil) who were integrated as Sub Engineer (Civil). Ext.P2 order was issued on the basis of the settlement integrating the petitioner and 4 others as Sub Engineer (Civil) w.e.f 29.8.2000.