( 1 ) THE petitioners who are employed with the A. P. State Agro Industries Development corporation Limited (for short the corporation ) in different layers of the hierarchy, like Junior Manager, Senior assistant, Senior Accountant/senior Sales executive, Auxiliary Assistant, Mechanic grade-Ill, Record Assistant , Attender, security Guard and Sweepers/scavengers, have filed these writ petitions calling in question the proceedings dated 28-12-2002 issued by the Vice-Chairman and Managing director of the Corporation calling upon them to unconditionally opt for the Voluntry retirement Scheme offered by the corporation, on grounds more than one.

( 2 ) TO wit, the facts which culminated in the issuance of the impugned proceedings may briefly be referred to. The Corporation, which is a company registered under the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 was incorporated to undertake the activities of sale of Fertilizers and Pesticides, formulation of Pesticides, Fruit Processing and Land Development. The affairs of the Corporation are managed by its Board of Directors. In pursuance of Cabinet Resolution No. 164/97, dated 7-4-1997, the Government of Andhra pradesh in G. O.