JUDGMENT:

K.G. BALAKRISHNAN, CJI.

Leave granted. Heard counsel.

2. The Union Public Service Commission (for short UPSC) has filed these appeals against the judgment dated 26.4.2004 of a learned Single Judge of Delhi High Court in WP (C) Nos. 4787-4823/2004.

3. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (respondent no.38 herein, for short the Corporation or MCD) had sent a requisition to UPSC the appellant herein for recruiting 45 Ayurvedic Vaids (that is, Medical Officers Ayurved). As the process of selection by UPSC was likely to take considerable time the Corporation issued an advertisement dated 18.10.2000 inviting applications for contract appointment (on the basis of a walk-in interview) on a fixed salary of Rs.10,000/- for a period of six months or till such time such posts are filled on regular basis through UPSC, whichever was earlier.

4. It is stated that respondents 1 to 37 (for short respondents) applied for such contractual employment and were appointed in April, 2001. The letters of appointment on contract basis were issued to respondents in terms of the advertisement. As the UPSC selections was delayed, the contract appointment of respondents were renewed for periods of six