( 1 ) THIS is a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the issue of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to implement and enforce G. O. Ms. No. 2674, Public Works Department, dated 4-11-1960 and to issue orders of promotion of the petitioners as Assistant Engineers (Electrical) with effect from 10-9-1963 with all the benefits of salary, rank and other rights and privileges consequential thereto.

( 2 ) THE facts, which are not in dispute, may briefly be stated. From the time of the composite Madras State, a convention had grown that promotion to the posts of Assistant Engineers from the category of Junior Engineers (Electrical) and the category of Supervisors (Electrical), Grade I would be according to the ratio of 4 : 1. The State Government or Andhra Pradesh, however, issued G. O. Ms. No. 2674, Public Works Department, dated 4-11- 60 prescribing the ratio of 2:1 cm the advice of the State Public Service Commission. Some representation was made by the junior Engineers (Electrical ). The Government re-examined the issue and went back to the original ratio of 4:1 and issued G. O. Ms. No. 2570, P. W. D. , dated 8-11-1961.

( 3 ) THE petition