ORDER:

Akula Venkata Sesha Sai, J.

1. Since these two Writ Petitions are interrelated and as the parties are same, this Court deems it appropriate to dispose of these Writ Petitions by way of this common order.

2. The facts and circumstances, leading to filing of the present Writ Petitions, are as follows.

(a) The District Collector (Social Welfare), Chittoor issued proceedings RoC No. A1/159/90, dated 17.08.1991, appointing the writ petitioner and the respondents 5 and 6 as Hostel Welfare Officers Grade-II. The writ petitioner passed Accounts Test for Subordinate Officers Part-I on 21.05.1995. Respondents 5 and 6 passed the said test on 14.11.1993 and 10.12.1991 respectively, i.e. within the period of probation of two years as per the condition imposed in the appointment order dated 17.08.1991. As per Rule 16(h) of the Andhra Pradesh State and Subordinate Service Rules, 1996 (for short, 'the 1996 Rules'), the probation needs to be recommenced two years anterior to the date of passing the accounts test. In the provisional and final seniority list of Hostel Welfare Officers Grade-II issued by the District Collector, Chittoor in the month of December, 1993 and 29.07.2000, the writ petiti