ORDER

Delay condoned.

2. Leave granted. We have heard learned counsel on both sides.

3. These appeals, by special leave, arise from the orders of the Madhya Pradesh Administrative Tribunal, Jabalpur Bench, made on February 28, 1996 in O.A. No. 110/95 and batch.

4. The admitted facts are that the respondents are Head Constables. For promotion as Assistant-Sub-Inspectors, examinations were conducted on 29th and 30th December, 1993 throughout the State comprising of different zones, 50% of the total marks were prescribed as passing marks for general candidates and 40% for the reserved candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (for short, Dalits and Tribes respectively). Only one Dalit candidate and three general candidates passed with the prescribed standard and the rest of the Head Constables in Jabalpur Zone failed. Consequently, the Inspector General of Police, Jabalpur Zone had suggested to the Director General of Police (D.G.P) to award 15% grace marks to the general candidates and 10% grace marks to the reserved category. The D.G.P. agreed for the same. As a consequence, 60 candidates belonging to the general category and 15 candidates belonging to the reserved