Ramesh Ranganathan, J.

1. A mandamus is sought in this Writ Petition to declare the proceedings dated 09.09.2015, and the consequential proceedings dated 10.09.2015, issued by the Principal District Judge, Anantapur as arbitrary, illegal, discriminatory, void and as contrary to Rules 22 and 23 of the Andhra Pradesh State and Subordinate Service Rules (“Rules” for short), and to set them aside. A consequential direction is sought to the 1st respondent to allow the petitioners to continue as Senior Assistants pursuant to their promotion vide proceedings dated 23.05.2015.

2. Facts, to the extent necessary, are that the 1st petitioner herein was appointed as a Junior Assistant on 01.12.1997, and the 2nd petitioner was appointed as a Junior Assistant on 18.09.1998. It is the petitioners’ case that the cadre strength of Senior Assistants in Anantapur District is 17; Rule 22 of the Rules was amended by G.O.Ms. No.123, G.A. (Ser.D) Department dated 19.04.2003, with effect from 14.02.2003, providing for reservation in promotion to members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes at 15% and 6% respectively; three posts of Senior Assistants was required to be filled up by prom