JUDGMENT

H.L. Dattu, J. —

1) Leave granted in SLP (C) No. 3349 of 2008 and SLP (C) 330 of 2008.

2) In Civil Appeal No. 4111 of 2008 - PEPSU Road Transport Corporation and Another v. Mangal Singh & Ors. (hereinafter referred to as “Mangal’s appeal”), respondent joined the services of the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “Corporation”) as driver on 07.11.1974 and his services were governed by service rules of the Corporation which included the eligibility to receive Contributory Provident Fund (for short, “C.P.F.”) and gratuity. Subsequently, on 30.06.1982, the services of the respondent were terminated for his unauthorized absence from the duty. The respondent raised an industrial dispute against his termination order, which was dismissed by the Labour Court vide its order dated 11.02.1994. Aggrieved by the aforesaid order of the Labour Court, respondent filed a writ petition before the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, which was allowed vide order dated 10.04.1996, setting aside the order of termination. The High Court further directed the reinstatement of the respondent with effect from 18.06.1996. In the meantime, on 15.06.1992, the Corporation had in