( 1 ) A short question that arises for the decision in this writ appeal is whether the members of the non- teaching technical staff of Sri krishnadevaraya University are entitled to the revised pay scales with effect from 1-7-1986 as has been done by the University itself in the case of all other employees or they are entitled to the revised pay scales only with effect from 1-4-1990 as has been fixed in G. O. Ms. No. 287 (Finance and planning) Department, dated 3-12-1991. This question arises in the following factual background:

( 2 ) THE petitioners 21 in number are the non-teaching technical staff working in the 1st respondent-University. They filed writ petition No. 2116 of 1996 assailing the validity of G. O. Ms. No. 287 extending the revised pay scales to the non-teaching technical staff only with effect from 1-4-1990. In the year 1986, the State Government had issued orders in G. O. Ms. No. 288 (Finance and Planning) Department, dated 17-11-1986, revising pay scales of its employees with effect from 1-7-1986. Subsequently the non- teaching staff working in various Universities represented to the State Government for extension of revised pay scales, 1986 to them