THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO WRIT PETITION No. 4798 OF 2011 O R D E R: The petitioner was appointed on contract basis as a driver. After some time, by an order dated 10.03.2008 passed by the Depot Manager, Hayathnagar Depot, he was terminated from service on the ground of absenteeism. No enquiry was conducted before the order of termination was passed. Subsequently, he approached the appellate authority on 15.06.2010 belatedly, but however, showing extreme compassion to the case of the writ petitioner, the Divisional Manager passed orders on 21.10.2010, re-engaging him as a contract driver. According to the writ petitioner, he has been recruited to the service of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation as a driver on contract basis in April 2006. Thus, nearly two years of service has been put in by him prior to his termination. The limited grievance of the petitioner is that while issuing orders of re-engagement, the respondents did not extend the benefit of continuity of service. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel for the respondents. Identical issue was dealt with by this Court in W.P. No. 8090 of 2010. Through order, dated 12.04.2010, this Court held that the contractual employees, who are re-engaged on the orders of removal being set aside, are entitled to the benefit of past service. Following the same, the Writ Petition is allowed. Since the writ petitioner is only guilty of latches, he is not entitled to derive any benefit either monetary or otherwise from the date of termination of his employment, but however, for the purpose of consideration of his case for regularization, the past service rendered by him between April 2006 and 10.03.2008, be taken into account and consideration and added to the service rendered by him, pursuant to the orders passed by the Divisional Manager, re-engaging him as a contract driver. ---------------------------------- (NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO, J) 28th February 2011 ksld