JUDGMENT

BHAGWATI, J. :—This group of appeals raises a common question of law affecting Senior Health Inspectors on deputation with the Municipal Corporation of the City of Bangalore (hereinafter referred to as the Corporation). The facts giving rise to the appeals are identical and may be briefly stated as follows.

2. The appellants are Senior Health Inspectors in the Karnataka State Civil Service. It seems that prior to 3rd March, 1971, when the City of Bangalore Municipal Corporation Services (General) Cadre and Recruitment Regulations, 1971 (hereinafter referred to as the Cadre and Recruitment Regulations) came into force, the practice of the Corporation was to have one half of the cadre of Senior Health Inspectors manned by deputation of Senior Health Inspectors from the Karnataka State Civil Service and in accordance with this practice, the appellants were taken on deputation by the Corporation from the Karnataka State Civil Service. While the appellants were working as Senior Health Inspectors on deputation, the Corporation passed a resolution dated 30th December, 1974 approving the report of the Commissioner that sixteen Senior Health Inspectors, including the appellants, wh