proposal of the regional office to conduct a trade test to the post of Mechanic Grade-II in Vizianagaram region. All the Depot Managers were requested to forward applications in the prescribed proforma from among hammer men, helpers and cleaners, who had put two years of service in respect of ITI candidates and 4 years of service in respect of non ITI candidates. The Depot Managers were also requested to give wide publicity by exhibiting the notification on the notice board. Consequent thereto, the petitioner submitted his application. After receiving the applications from all the Depot Managers in Vizianagaram region, only 13 candidates were selected for the trade test and, vide proceedings dated 17.5.1996, the Regional Manager, Vizianagaram issued proceedings informing the Depot Managers that a trade test was proposed to be conducted on 25.5.1996 at 10.00 a.m. at the Zonal Workshop, Vizianagarm for the willing and eligible hammer man/helper and cleaners to the post of Mechanic GradeII. The name of the petitioner stands at serial No.10 in the said list of 13 candidates. Consequent to the trade test being held results were declared vide proceedings dated 4.6.1996 wherein the petitioner was shown at serial No.4. Since the person at serial No.3 had failed, the petitioner stood at serial No.3 in the list of candidates who had passed the trade test. However, vide office order dated 31.8.1996, four persons were given temporary promotions as Mechanic Grade-II based on the recommendations of the Departmental Promotion Committee. The petitioner’s name did not find a place therein. In the selected list of candidates, Mr.L.V.Punna Rao who was shown at serial No.1 and Mr.S.N.Kumar, who was shown at serial No.4 were earlier at serial Nos.10 and 12 respectively in the proceedings dated 4.6.2006. According to the petitioner, these two persons stood below the petitioner on merit from amongst the candidates who had passed the trade test as per
