JUDGMENT

D.P. Mohapatra, J.-The respondents herein, who were Post-Graduate students of the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, filed a writ petition (Writ Petition No. 16050 of 1991) against the State of Andhra Pradesh, represented by the Secretary, Food and Agriculture Department (Agrl. III), and the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, represented by the Registrar, challenging the Government Order i.e. G.O. Ms. No. 742 dated 3rd December, 1990, in which the date from which they are entitled to stipend at the enhanced rate was specified and sought a direction to the respondents to pay the enhanced rate of stipend to them from 1st October, 1989 as in the case of Post-Graduate students of Medical Colleges in the State. It is the case of the writ petitioners that prior to the issue of the afore-mentioned Government Order, Post-Graduate students of the Agricultural University were receiving stipend at the rates of Rs. 1,000/- per month during the first year, Rs. 1,100/- per month during the second year and Rs. 1,200/- per month in the third year, same as in the case of the Post-Graduate students of Medical Colleges. By the Government Order, G.O. Ms. No. 655, Health, Medical and