JUDGMENT

G.S. Singhvi, J. —

1. These appeals are directed against the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court whereby the alleged denial of advance increments to the writ petitioners (respondents herein) has been declared illegal and the appellants have been directed to grant them increments in terms of the instructions issued by the Government of Punjab vide Memo No. 6462-ED-II(2)60/32640 dated 1.9.1960 and the Government of Haryana vide letter No.152-Edu-II-69/540 dated 5.1.1968.

2. The respondents joined service as teachers in different categories i.e., Lecturers, Masters/Mistresses, Language Teachers and Physical Training Instructors either in the undivided State of Punjab or the newly formed State of Haryana, which came into being with effect from 1.11.1966. Some of the respondents possessed post-graduate qualifications at the time of entry in the service while others claim to have acquired such qualifications after joining the service. Smt. Hem Lata Gupta and others filed Writ Petition No. 18638/1997 for issue of a mandamus to the concerned authorities of the Government of Haryana to give them benefit of 2/3 advance increments from the date of acquiring post-graduate qual