RAMESH RANGANATHAN, J.

( 1 ) AGGRIEVED by the order of the Tribunal, in O. A. Nos. 5698 and 5904 of 1999 dated 14. 02. 2000, W. P. Nos. 16842 of 2000 and 8551 of 2001 are filed by the Section Officers of different departments of the Government of A. P. W. P. No. 14651 of 2000 is filed by the State of Andhra Pradesh aggrieved by the orders of the Tribunal in these O. As. In the aforesaid two O. As, the orders of the Government in G. O. Ms. No. 368 General Administration (Ser. B) Department dated 18. 8. 1999, and G. O. Ms. No. 397, General Administration (Ser. V) Department dated 20. 9. 1999, were under challenge, by the Private Secretaries of the Secretaries to the Government, as arbitrary, illegal and in violation of Articles 14, 16 and 21 of the Constitution of India. The dispute, between the Section Officers and the Private Secretaries to the Secretaries to the Government, revolves around the criteria prescribed and the restrictions imposed for promotion to the posts of Assistant Secretaries to the Government. For better appreciation of the origin of the present litigation, it is necessary to refer to the relevant rules and other applicable provisions. In exercise of the powers

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