1. W.P. No. 6308 of 2014 is filed by four degree colleges located at Gudur, SPSR Nellore District challenging the notification issued by the first respondent dated 19.02.2014 whereby Gudur Mandal was notified as identified Mandal for establishment of new private unaided decree colleges for the academic year 2014-2015. W.P. No. 9441 of 2014 is similarly filed by six degree colleges located at Rayachoty, YSR Kadapa District, challenging the notification of second respondent dated 19.02.2014 inviting applications for starting new private degree colleges in Rayachoty. Respondent No. 5 herein is an educational society, which proposes to establish a new degree college at Rayachoty in pursuance of the impugned notification. Accordingly, it was permitted to be impleaded in W.P. No. 9441 of 2014, as respondent No. 5, vide orders in WPMP No. 20863 of 2014 dated 26.09.2014. Both the aforesaid writ petitions challenge the notification, primarily, on the ground that the notification is contrary to Section 20 of the A.P. Education Act (for short 'the Act') read with Rule 5 of the Educational Institutions (Establishment, Recognition, Administration and Control of Higher Education) Rules, 198