Judgment

MATHEW, J.:- This is an appeal, by special leave, from the judgment of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana dismissing Civil Writ No. 3321/1970 filed by the appellants praying for a direction to implement Clause 4 of the directive of the Union Government dated April 18, 1965, issued under Section 117 of the States Reorganisation Act and allowing the writ petitions filed by the third respondent and others praying for an order quashing the final integrated gradation list published on March, 11, 1966, in so far as it concerned Clerks and that issued on March 20, 1970, in so far as it concerned Assistant/Head Clerk of the Cooperative Department of the State of Punjab.

2. In view of the impending merger of the two States of Punjab and Pepsu with effect from November 1, 1956, it was decided on October 26, 1956, by the Joint Integration Council that the offices of the Deputy Registrars of Co-operative Societies, Pepsu area, will form a separate division on the basis of the pattern obtaining in Punjab. In the erstwhile Punjab State, the staff of the Senior and Junior Clerks in the offices of the Deputy Registrars and Assistant Registrars including Camp Clerks to Inspectors and Sub-I