HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.1263 OF 2004 ORDER: The petitioner is employed as a Conductor in the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (for short ‘the Corporation’). When he was working as such in the Jeedimetla Depot and was conducting a service on Route No.9 on 29-09-2001, a check was caused. It was found that the petitioner had few punched tickets of denomination of Rs.2.50 ps., and Rs.3.00 ps., in his cash bag. Alleging that the tickets were unacounted for in the Statistical Report, a charge sheet was issued on 05-10-2001. Petitioner submitted his explanation on 09-10- 2001. Not satisfied with that, the Depot Manager, 4th respondent herein, ordered domestic enquiry. Enquiry report was filed on 04-01- 2002, holding that the charge against the petitioner was proved. Taking the same into account, the Depot Manager passed an order, dated 15-02-2002, directing removal of the petitioner from service. 2. Petitioner filed an appeal before the Divisional Manager, Sanathnagar, 3rd respondent herein. The appeal was allowed on 05-04-2002, setting aside the order of removal and directing reinstatement of the petitioner. Punishment of withholding of annual increment for a period of two years with cumulative effect was imposed. The petitioner feels aggrieved by the imposition of the said punishment. 3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel for the respondents. 4. The charge against the petitioner was that he held certain tickets in his cash bag and he did not account for the same in the Statistical Report. Petitioner made an attempt to justify the acts attributed to him. In the domestic enquiry, the charge was held proved and he was removed. The appellate authority has taken lenient view of the matter and directed reinstatement of the petitioner. The punishment of withholding of one increment for two years with cumulative effect cannot be said disproportionate to the allegations made against the petitioner. This Court is not inclined to interfere with the said punishment. 5. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that even after expiry of two years from the date of order of the appellate authority, the respondents did not release the increments, which are due to the petitioner. If that be so, the respondents have to take immediate steps for release of the increments from the date on which they are due and extend the monetary benefit. 6. Hence, the Writ Petition is disposed of, upholding the order passed by the appellate authority, but directing that the respondents shall extend the benefit of increments after expiry of two years from the date of the order of the appellate authority and re-fix his salary. The arrears, if any, on account of this, shall be paid to him within a period of four weeks. There shall be no order as to costs. ____________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J December 23, 2010. KTL