Judgment

RANGANATH MISRA, J. :- These appeals are by special leave and two of these are by Junior Engineers while the other four are by Assistant Engineers working under the respondent Bihar State Electricity Board. In Sept. 1975, the Board advertised in local newspapers that selection of Electrical Engineers would be made under an "Employment Promotion Programme" and Engineers with 50 per cent marks in the degree examination would be eligible, for consideration. In due course, such selection was made and a group of Apprentice Engineers also called Trainee Engineers came to serve under the Board. These selected engineers had already completed their training for the purpose of obtaining the degree in engineering. The graduate trainees were called upon to report for a period of six months training with effect from April 1, 1977. In March 1977, the Board had indicated that the training does not guarantee employment under the Board but in Aug. 1977, the Board resolved that 200 vacant posts of Junior Engineers would be filled on the basis of chain system and the existing trainees would be continued as trainees on existing stipends. As time elapsed and no appointments were made as represe