Judgment

GUPTA, J.:- This appeal by special leave arises out of a writ petition made by the respondents before us in the Andhra Pradesh High Court questioning the inclusion in the list of Deputy Tahsildars eligible for promotion to the post of Tahsildar of the names of 63 persons, impleaded as respondents Nos. 4 to 66 in the writ petition. These 63 persons, were working as Upper Division Clerks in the erstwhile State of Hydrabad when, on November 1, 1956, the State of Andhra Pradesh was formed. The state Government in consultation with the Government in consultation with the Government of India issued an order on April 7, 1960 stating that the first stage promotion of the employees of the erstwhile Government of Hyderabad, that is, promotion to posts one stage above those held by them prior to November 1, 1956, would be governed by the Hyderabad Cadre and Recruitment Rules for promotion which were applicable to them before that date, but subsequent promotions after the first stage of promotion would be governed by the relevant rules in force in the newly formed State. By virtue of this order the aforesaid 63 employees were promoted to the post of Deputy Tahsildar which was the first