JUDGMENT

S.B. Sinha, J.—Leave granted.

2. These appeals involve the question of applicability of a purported policy decision of the State as regards regularisation of services of the employees of Appellant-Board.

3. It is a local authority. It undertakes execution of schemes of various nature including laying down of sewerage lines, water supply etc. for Municipalities, Municipal Corporations and Improvement Trusts. For each scheme, estimates are prepared and expenses therefor are borne by the principal.

4. Respondents in these appeals were engaged on contract basis in two different schemes, i.e., for maintenance of water supply and sewerage lines for Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana and for maintenance of tube wells installed under URP project for Municipal Corporation, Hoshiarpur respectively. Their services were terminated. Respondents prayed for regularisation of the services. The said prayer was rejected by the appellant in terms of the scheme framed scheme for regularisation by the State of Punjab on 23.1.2001 and 28.3.2003.

5. Writ petitions were filed by the respondents, inter alia, for issuance of a Writ in the nature Mandamus directing the respondents therein includin