JUDGMENT :

L. NAGESWARA RAO, J.

Leave granted.

1. The High Court of Manipur allowed the Writ Petitions filed by the Respondents-herein and directed the declaration of the results relating to selection to the posts of Lineman conducted in the year 1999 within a period of three weeks. The process of appointment was directed to be completed within four weeks and the successful candidates were directed to be adjusted against the vacancies notified for the posts of Junior System Assistants. Aggrieved thereby, the State of Manipur has filed the above Appeals.

2. The Department of Electricity, Government of Manipur initiated the process of selection for filling up the posts of Assistant Lineman in the Department of Electricity. Before the process could be completed, a complete ban on direct recruitment was imposed on 6th November, 1999. The declaration of results of DPC (Selections) already held was also frozen by the said order. According to the State Government, the ban was imposed in view of the financial stringency in the State.

3. The Respondents filed Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1040 of 2000 for a direction to the Appellant to declare the result of the DPC held from 19th August, 1999 to 13