The petitioners, who served the Indian Army, retired from the service between 1946 and 1976. All of them are domiciled in Andhra Pradesh and have been drawing pension for the service they have rendered in the Indian Army. In order to rehabilitate the Ex.Servicemen, the Government of Andhra Pradesh issued G.O.Ms.No.25, Revenue Department, dated 23.10.1952, by which it assigned an extent of Ac.5,977-03 guntas in Jawaharnagar village to the Department of Labour. The Government, later on, framed operating guidelines in order to effectuate the purpose of rehabilitation of Ex.Servicemen, vide G.O.Ms.No.743, Revenue, dated 30-4-1963. The said G.O., laid down the eligibility criteria, the extents for and the conditions subject to which the assignment of agricultural land shall be made in favour of the Ex.Servicemen. Subsequently, the Government issued G.O.Ms.No.1573, Home (Labour-IV) Department, dated 18-7-1966, in supersession of all the previous orders and laid down conditions for the selection of 'Colonists' for implementation of its scheme and for establishment of Co-operative Land Colonies for Ex.Servicemen.

Even before issuance of G.O.Ms.Nos.743 and 1573, a Co-operative Soc