HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.31763 OF 2010 ORDER: Petitioner challenges the order, dated 18-06-2009, through which the Depot Manager, Thorrur, imposed punishment of stoppage of increment for a period of one year with cumulative effect. The principal ground urged by the petitioner is that the punishment was imposed, without conducting any enquiry. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel for the respondents. 3. It is, no doubt, true that this Court has taken the view in many cases that stoppage of an increment with cumulative effect is a major punishment and it can be inflicted only after conducting departmental enquiry. However, the petitioner has an effective alternative remedy by way of an appeal and there is no reason for apprehension that the appellate authority would not take this into account. 4. Hence, the Writ Petition is disposed of leaving it open to the petitioner to avail the remedy of appeal. It is further directed that the appeal is presented within a period of four weeks from today, the appellate authority shall consider the same, without raising any objection as to limitation. There shall be no order as to costs. ____________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J December 16, 2010. KTL