(Per Ramesh Ranganathan, J.)

W.P.No.1657 of 2003 is filed to quash the order of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Hyderabad in O.A.276 of 2003 dated 17-11-2003. W.P.No.1135 of 2004 is filed by BSNL aggrieved by the order of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Hyderabad in O.A.No.276 of 2003 dated 17-11-2003. W.P.No.3779 of 2004 is filed by BSNL aggrieved by the order of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Hyderabad in O.A.1354 of 2003 dated 18-11-2003 and W.P.No.2949 of 2004 is filed by the Union of India, and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), aggrieved by the order of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Hyderabad in O.A.1707 of 2003 dated 31-12-2003.

2. The relief sought for by the respondents - applicants, before the Central Administrative Tribunal, Hyderabad in O.A.276 of 2003 and batch, was to declare clause (iv) of paragraph 3, of the letter No.12-15/2002-DE dated 10-3-2003 issued by BSNL, as arbitrary and illegal, in so far as it denied the benefit of relaxation of standard to candidates who had participated in the 1999 and 2000 years departmental competitive examination for Junior Telecom Officers (15% quota) only, I by holding that they were entitled for grant o