JUDGMENT

Shivaraj V. Patil. J.-Delay condoned in SLP (C) No.10363/2003 (CC 1629/2003).

Leave granted in all the SLPs.

2. These appeals are by the State of Uttaranchal assailing the common judgment and order dated 6th November, 2001 passed by the Division Bench of the High Court of Uttaranchal.

3. Resolution of the dispute in these appeals depends on the answer to the question whether the selection made by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, prior to formation of States of Uttaranchal, is binding on the State of Uttaranchal so as to appoint selected candidates to the services in the State of Uttaranchal having due regard to Article 323(2) of the Constitution of India and Section 78(4) of The Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000.

4. Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) published advertisement inviting applications for 544 posts of J.E. Civil/Technical (507 Civil + 37 Technical). The result of selection was published on 4.1.2000. The UPPSC sent its recommendations to the U.P. Government on 30-10-2000. The U.P. Government forwarded the recommendations on 31-10-2000 to the Chief Engineer s Office, Hill Cadre, Almora. The separate State of Uttaranchal came into ex