JUDGMENT.
The decision, dated 12-3-1984 recorded by the learned Presiding Officer, Punjab Labour Court No. 7, Gujranwala is reported to be without jurisdiction and of no legal effect. The prayer is for the restoration of the order of the learned Authority under the Payment of Wages Act, Gujrat, whereby the petitioner was allowed Rs.5,119.20 as gratuity for the period from 1974 to 1980.
2. The petitioner was an employee of the respondent from 27-6-1962 to 18-11-1965 when he was recalled by the Army for active service. He resumed duty on 6-6-1974. His petition for re- instatement was dismissed. He claimed gratuity from 27-6-1962 to 6-6-1974. The learned Authority accepted his claim but in appeal, it was refused on the ground that he failed to prove that his lien was retained with the respondent for the period he remained in the Army. Learned counsel for the petitioner has failed to satisfy that the services of the petitioner from 1962 to 1974 were continuous.
But admittedly, the petitioner served under the respondent from 27-6-1962 to 18-11-1965 when-he was recalled by the A Army. So he is entitled to the gratuity for the said period at 20 days' wages per year under Standing Order 12(6) of the Standing Orders Ordinance, 1968. Learned counsel for the respondent has not been able to say anything effective against this view.
3. As a result, the revision is partly accepted and setting aside the impugned decision of the learned lower appellate Court, the order of the Authority is modified by allowing gratuity for the period from 27-6-1962 to 18-11-1965 at the rate of 20 days' wages per year.
A. E.