Kasliwal, J. - (1.) Special leave granted.
(2.) The respondent Rangadhar Mallik after joining government service on 16-11-1968 accepted his date of birth as 27-11-1928 by affixing his signature in the service roll. On 9-9-1986 for the first time the respondent made a representation for changing his date of birth from 27-11-1928 to 27-11-1938. After considering the representation of the respondent the Governor of Orissa rejected the representation of the respondent. The respondent as such was superannuated with effect from 30th November, 1988 as having completed the age of 60 years. The respondent filed an application before the Orissa Administrative Tribunal challenging the aforesaid action of the Government. The Tribunal vide its order dated 11-11-1991 quashed the order of superannuation on the ground that the respondent was not afforded an opportunity of personal hearing before rejecting his representation. The Tribunal directed for holding a fresh enquiry and to reinstate the respondent in service forthwith. The State of Orissa and others have filed the above appeal challenging the order of the Tribunal.
(3.) We have heard learned counsel for the parties and have gone through the record. It is not in dispute that the respondent himself had accepted his date of birth as 27-11-1928 after entering into service on 16-11-1968. The respondent also affixed his signature in the service roll in token of his acceptance of his date of birth as 27-11-1928. The respondent did not challenge the aforesaid date of birth nor made any representation till 9-9-1986. Rule 65 of the Orissa General Financial Rules stipulate that representations made for correction of date of birth near about the time of superannuation shall not be admitted. The representation made by the respondent was considered by the Governor of Orissa and the order of rejection was communicated to the respondent vide letter dated 27-2-1989. There was no provision made in the Rules for providing personal hearing before considering any representation for change in the date of birth. The State Government in its counter filed before the Tribunal had taken a clear stand that the respondent entered government service as work-charged employee. The date of birth as recorded in the service roll of the respondent was 27-11-1928. The service roll was opened on 25-4-1973 and the date of birth in the service roll was made on the basis of the horoscope produced by the respondent. After the entry was made in the service roll, the respondent had put his signature in token of authentication of such entry. The respondent had produced the documents in support of his claim of date of birth as 27-11-1938. The documents so produced were duly perused and each of such documents were not found worthy of any consideration and as such the representation was rejected.;