JUDGMENT

Kuldip Singh, J.

1. Junior Engineers and Assistant Engineers working in the Electrical and Mechanical wings of the Public Works Department in the State of Uttar Pradesh, are involved in this litigation. The State Government held selection for promotions to the cadre of Assistant Engineers from amongst the Junior Engineers. The selection was challenged by way of several writ petitions before the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court. A Division Bench of the High Court allowed the bunch-petitions by its judgment dated August 3, 1984 and quashed the select list notified by the office memorandum dated November 5, 1983. These appeals and the connected matters are directed against the judgment of the High Court.

2. We may briefly notice the facts necessary to resolve the controversy. Building and Roads, Electrical, and Mechanical are the three branches of the Public Works Department to which the Junior Engineers and the Assistant Engineers are appointed. There are no statutory service rules regulating the recruitment and conditions of service of persons appointed to the Electrical and Mechanical branches. However, the Building and Roads branch governed by the rules called Th