JUDGMENT

Phukan, J.-These two appeals by special leave arise from the judgment dated 05-02-1999 of the Patna High Court, Ranchi Bench. Briefly stated facts are as follows:-

2. The MGM Medical College used to be run by a private registered society. The respondents in these two appeals ware employees of the College. By Bihar Private Medical Colleges (Taking Over) Act, 1977 (for short the Act ), the State Government by issuing a notification under sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Act took over the management of the college on 22nd of January, 1979. In terms of the provisions of the Act both the respondents continued as employees of the college on an ad hoc basis and, thereafter, their services were regularised in terms of Section 6 of the Act. They retired from the service on attaining the age of superannuation and their pension and pensionary benefits were granted, counting the period of service from the date of taking over of the college till the date of retirement. Both the respondents filed two separate writ petitions before the High Court claiming that they are entitled to get the benefit for the period of service from the initial appointment in the college under the private m