PUNJAB ROAD TRANSPORT BOARD Versus MUHAMMAD RAFIQ

This is an appeal challenging the decision dated 22‑10‑1985 recorded by the learned Presiding Officer, Punjab Labour Court No.l, Lahore, whereby the respondent was directed to be treated as permanent conductor and issued permanent card in accordance with law,

2. Admittedly, the respondent was taken in service as a badli conductor vide Ex.P‑2. The case of the appellant is that the respondent was employed as badli conductor on daily wages basis at Rs.21 per day so he could not become permanent. The term 'badli' is defined in Standing Order 1 of Standing Orders Ordinance, 1968. If a permanent employee is absent from duty temporarily another man can be appointed in his absence. If such a badli serves continuously for 90 days and for more than 183 days with breaks within the period of one year, he becomes permanent and is to be absorbed. The respondent, according to Ex.P‑1, served for 192 days from June 1983 to May) 1984. So he had become permanent and thus could not be terminated from service. If, of course, some post of conductor had been abolished and the respondent had been the junior most, his services could have been terminated. RW‑1 stated in cross‑examination that at the time the respondent was employed as badli conductor, there were 30 buses but the number has been reduced to eight, No documentary evidence is on the record to this effect. Apart from it RW‑1 does not say nor there is any evidence that the respondent was the junior most. So the respondent has been rightly directed to be reinstated in service.

3. As a result, the appeal fails and is dismissed.

A.E./72/Lb.P Appeal dismissed.