JUDGMENT

BHARUCHA, J.:- Leave to appeal granted.

2. These two appeals arise upon a common judgment delivered by a Division Bench of the Rajasthan High Court and they can be decided together. By that judgment the Division Bench set.aside the judgment and order of the learned single Judge upon the writ petitions filed by the appellants in these two appeals and dismissed the same.

3. The appellant Bhagirathdan (in S.L.Ps. (C) Nos 10451-52 of 1988) was appointed an Assistant Engineer in the State Woollen Mill at Bikaner on 18th July 1972. Upon being declared surplus therein he was appointed an Assistant Mechanical Engineer in the Mines and Geology Department of the State of Rajasthan (the first respondent) on 12th December 1975. On 25th September 1973 the appellant Himmat Singh (in S.L.P. ).No. 11711 of 1988) was appointed an Assistant Mechanical Engineer in the Mines and Geology Department.

4. Between 20th May 1977 and 11th August 1982 promotions to the post of Deputy Drilling Engineer were regulated by Entry 6 of the Schedule to the Rajasthan Mines and Geological Service Rules, 1960, as amended on 20th May 1977. The said Entry read thus:

Sl. No. Name of the Post. Method of recruitment wi