HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.21192 of 2010 ORDER: The petitioner was appointed as Conductor in the Midhani Depot of A.P.S.R.T.C in the year 1985. At present, he is working as Junior Assistant (F) in the Miyapur-I Depot, on being selected in the year 2009. Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the petitioner when he was working as Conductor, alleging that he committed irregularities in issue of tickets. Through an order dated 3.6.2004, the Depot Manager, Midhani, directed the removal of the petitioner from service. On an appeal preferred by the petitioner, the Divisional Manager Hyderabad passed order dated 8.6.2004 setting aside the order of removal and directing reinstatement of the petitioner by imposing the punishment of deferment of annual increments for a period of two years with cumulative effect. The period between the date of removal and the date of reinstatement was directed to be treated as not on duty, for all purposes. The review petition filed by the petitioner before the Regional Manager was rejected. Hence, this writ petition. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel for the respondents. The principal allegation against the petitioner was that instead of issuing tickets of denomination of Rs.3/- each, to two passengers, he issued one ticket and another white paper of the same size. The explanation of the petitioner was that the bundle contained a white paper and on account of rush in the bus, he did not verify that fact. The order of removal passed by the Depot Manager was set aside by the Divisional Manager, imposing the punishment of withholding of annual increments for a period of two years with cumulative. Normally, this Court would not interfere with the punishments imposed by the disciplinary authority or the Labour Court unless they are found to be perverse. The record discloses that the Divisional Manager himself found that the record of the petitioner is almost without any blemish. It is stated that for the honesty exhibited by the petitioner in restoring a bag of ornaments to a passenger, he was given a reward of Rs.200/-. The issuance of a white paper in the place of a new ticket appears to be accidental and not intentional. Though the punishment of withholding of annual increments seems to be trivial, the cumulative effect would have its impact on the salary of the petitioner through out his service. Hence, this writ petition is partly allowed directing that the punishment of withholding of annual increments for a period of two years by the Divisional Manager shall be treated as the one without cumulative effect. However, the petitioner shall not be entitled to any arrears on account of such modification. In all other respects, the order passed by the Divisional Manager shall remain unchanged. There shall be no order as to costs. _______________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY,J DATE: 2nd November, 2010 pnb