JUDGMENT :

ANIRUDDHA BOSE, J.

1. These five appeals and the connected matters relate to controversy over the qualification criteria for appointment to the posts of clerk/cashier in different cooperative banks in the State of Kerala from in-service category. The dispute is as to whether an applicant from that category for the said posts, which carry starting pay beyond Rs. 250/- per month, was required to have minimum educational qualification of graduation or not. As per Rule 187 of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Rules, 1969 framed by the State Government in exercise of power conferred on it by Section 109 of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act, 1969 (the 1969 Act) for appointments to apex societies or central societies, 50% of the vacancies are required to be reserved for the employees of the member societies of the respective apex society or central society. The incumbents from such in-service categories, however require minimum regular service of three years in any of the cadre of such society. It is not in dispute that the posts advertised came within the fold of the cla