ORDER :

1. Leave granted in the special leave petitions.

2. These appeals are directed against the judgment of the Division Bench of the Bombay High Court whereby the writ petitions filed by the Appellants for issue of a direction to the Respondents to absorb them on Class-III posts were dismissed.

3. 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 from those, who applied for certified copies. The balance 30% used to be deposited in the Government treasury.

4. Shri Madan Vishwamber Desai, Secretary of Bhoomi Abhilek Vina-Vetan Karamchari Sanghatana, Ma