JUDGMENT

AHMADI, J.—Special leave granted.

2. The appellants were members of the Haryana State Services and were working in different capacities in the State of Haryana in the year 1990. In that year the total strength of the Haryana Civil Service (Executive Branch) was 200 against which only 155 officers were in position; there being 45 vacancies. The Government of Haryana took a decision to resort to special recruitment under Rule 5 of the Punjab Civil Services (Executive Branch) Rules, 1930 (hereinafter called the Rules) which were admittedly in force then. Special recruitment to service could be made under Rule 5 which rule may be reproduced at this stage:

"5. Members to be appointed by the Governor of Haryana from amongst accepted candidates.- Members of the service shall be appointed by the Governor of Haryana from time to time as required from among accepted candidates whose names have been duly entered in accordance with these rules in one or other of the registers of accepted candidates to be maintained under these rules:

Provided that if in the opinion of the State Government the exigencies of the service so require, the State Government may make special recruitment to the s