Judgment

RAY, J. :- This four appeals are by certificate from the common judgment dated 23 February, 1968 of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

2. The subject-matter of these appeals relates to the equation of posts and integration of services of officers of the Public Works Department in the State of Andhra Pradesh consequent on the reorganisation of States in the year 1956.

3. On 1 November, 1956 the State of Andra Pradesh came into existence under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 (hereinafter referred to as the Act). The State of Andhra Pradesh was formed out of the former State of Andhra Pradesh and the Telengana area of the former Hyderabad State (hereinafter referred to as the Andhra State and the Telengana area).

4. The appellants were Engineers in the employment of Andhra State. On the formation of the State of Andhra Pradesh the appellants under the provisions of the Act continued to serve the State of Andhra Pradesh. The respondents who were Telengana officers in the employment of the State of Hyderabad continued to serve the State of Andhra Pradesh.

5. Prior to the reorganisation a Conference of Chief Secretaries was held in the months of April and May, 1956. It was agreed at