7.4.2009 Present: None for the petitioner. Mr. R. K. Sharma, Sr. Addl. A.G. with Mr. Vivek Thakur, Addl. A. G. & Mr. Anil Jaswal, Dy. A. G. for respondents CWP(T) No. 2979/2008 (OA No.116/96) The petition was filed before the erstwhile Himachal Pradesh Administrative Tribunal on 12.1.1996, which was admitted on 6.3.1996. The same stood transferred to this Court in view of the provisions of The Himachal Pradesh Administrative Tribunal (Transfer of decided and pending cases and applications) Act, 2008 (No.14 of 2008). As per office report dated 2.4.2009, actual date notice of hearing of the petition was issued to the petitioner for today. Inspite of pass over, none has caused appearance on behalf of the petitioner. Hence, in the absence of the petitioner, the matter is being decided. Petitioner has assailed the order dated 14.7.1995 (Annexure P-2) in terms of which he had been repatriated from the Agricutlure Department to the Panchayati Raj Department of the State of Himachal Pradesh. The respondents in their reply have categorically stated as under:- “Rural Development Deptt. and Panchayati Raj Department were separate and independent departments having their own infrastructure and identity and there were 883 posts of Panchayat Secretaries for 2597 Gram Panchayts in the Panchayati Raj Deptt. and 729 posts of Gram Sewaks with the Rural Development department, during 1989 a decision was taken to merge the posts of Gram Sewaks and Panchayat Secretaries into one cadre redesignated as Gram Panchayat Avam Vikas Adhikaries. Accordingly, after merger of both the categories 1300 posts for 2597 Panchayats were retained by respondent No.2 to provide one Gram Panchayat Avam Vikas Adhikary for two Panchayats and the remaining posts were transferred to Agriculture/Horticulture department for implementation of the T&E Project. Consequently 157 posts alongwith incumbents were deployed to the respondent No.3 with the terms and conditions which are akin to the Annexure A1 to the application. The RID Deptt. demanded 286 posts of Gram Vikas Adhikaries for the restructuring and strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions as the parliament has enacted the 73rd Cosntitutional amendment under which the Panchayati Raj Institutions at three levels i.e. Village, Block and Distts. are to be compulsorily established to delegate powers responsibilities and adequate finance so that these bodies may prepare and implement the plans of economic development and justice out of which there were 206 vacant posts of Gram Vikas Panchaayt Adhikaries and the Govt. decided in the Cabinet meeting held on 13.3.95 to fill up 129 posts by way of repartriation of officials transferrd under T&V to the deparment of respondent No2. Therefore, all the incumbents i.e. Gram Sewaks/ Panchayats Secretaries transferred to Agrilculture department hav been re- transfrred to their parent department in the public interest.” Petitioner was appointed as Panchayat Secretary in the year 1976 in the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Department. Petitioner was repatriated to his parent department keeping in view the circumstances explained by the respondents. This was so done in public interest. It is not that the petitioner alone was hand-picked and sent back to his parent department. Number of employees were repatriated. It was so done keeping in view the administrative exigencies and for smooth running of the two departments. The petition being devoid of any merit is dismissed. ( Sanjay Karol ), Judge. April 7, 2009 (rana)