JUDGMENT

S.C. Agrawal, J.-These appeals raise common questions relating to regularisation of three medical officers (respondents herein) working with the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (hereinafter referred to as the appellant-corporation ).

2. Dr. P. Sambasiva Rao obtained the M.B.B.S. degree in 1975 and he was appointed as a medical officer in the appellant-corporation on October 29, 1976 on an honorarium of Rs. 600/- per month to work in the dispensary in the colony/first aid centre in the yard. The said appointment was continued till February 27, 1985 with artificial breaks of one day after each appointment for 89 days. During this period a selection was made for regular appointment on two posts of medical officer in 1980-81. Dr. P. Sambasiva Rao was not considered eligible for such selection on the view that for the purpose of eligibility the applicant should have obtained the degree in medicine by 1974 and Dr. P. Sambasiva Rao had obtained his medical degree in the year 1975. He filed a writ petition (W.P. No. 2058 of 1981) in the Andhra Pradesh High Court wherein he sought a writ or directing declaring that he was entitled for absorption into the post of medical officer in the ap