JUDGMENT

K.N. SAIKIA, J.:- This analogous cluster of five writ petitions and one special leave petition involves a common question of law. The petitioner in Writ Petition No. 352 of 1989 is President of the All India Retired Railway men (P. F. Terms) Association and the petition has been filed in a representative capacity on behalf of all the members of the Association who retired with Provident Fund benefits. Writ Petition No. 361 of 1989 has been filed by three individual retired Railway employees who also retired with provident  fund benefits. The petitioner in Writ Petition No. 1285 of 1986 retired as Block Inspector of Northern Railway on 7-1-1968, a non-pensionable post. All the petitioners except petitioner No. 5 in W. P. No. 1575 of 1986 retired from Railway service high posts. Petitioner No. 1 retired as Additional Member, Railway Board on 5-11-1960 with Provident Fund benefits. Petitioner No. 2 was Member, Railway Board and similarly retired on 1-3-1968 opting for Provident Fund Scheme as at that time the maximum monthly pension was Rs. 675 only. Petitioner No. 3 similarly retired as General Manager on 5-12-1960. Petitioner No. 4 retired as Member (Staff) Railway Board and