ORDER :

1. These appeals are directed against order dated 19.01.2007 passed by the Division Bench of the Bombay High Court whereby it declared that the unpaid candidates appointed till 12.02.1987 cannot be termed as backdoor entrants and they are eligible for the schemes formulated by the State Government, which were circulated vide GRs. dated 21.10.1995 and 22.10.1996 and directed that the vacant Class-III posts be filled from amongst the unpaid candidates who were appointed on or before 12.02.1987.

2. The Revenue and Forest Department of the Government of Maharashtra maintains the land records in respect of urban as well as agricultural lands. The land records include survey numbers of land, layouts and property cards. The Department also maintains records of transfers of ownership and possession of all immovable properties in Maharashtra. For making available certified copies of the property cards and other documents which are required to be supplied under the Maharashtra Land Revenue (Inspection, Search and Supply of Copies of Land Records) Rules, 1970, the Department employed unpaid candidates. They were not paid salary by the Government but were paid 70% of the amount collected