( 1 ) THE unsuccessful appellant preferred these appeals against a common order of the learned Single Judge of this Court, dated 17-2-2005 in W. P. Nos. 14614, 14615 and 14616 of 2004 upholding the selection of R-3 in all writ petitions to the posts of Director (Planning and Projects)/chief General Manager of singareni Collieries Company Ltd (sccl for short) in preference to him.

( 2 ) THE facts lie in a narrow compass. The appellant was working as General manager, having been promoted in the year 2001. When vacancy for the posts of director (Planning and Projects)/chief general Manager fell vacant, interviews were held on 2-8-2004 in the Chambers of Chief secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh, secretariat, Hyderabad. Singareni Collieries company Functional Directors Selection rules (rules for short) prescribe selection to the said post to be made basing on an interview. The grievance of the appellant is in spite of having excellent record of service and no adverse remarks through out his career, and he being the senior most and meritorious, R-3 was selected. In fact, he ought to have been selected in preference to the 3rd respondent. Therefore, he sought writ of