( 1 ) THIS is the second time, the petitioners are approaching this Court for relief under Article 226.

( 2 ) THE petitioners originally entered Madras Forest Service as assistant Conservators of Forests. Consequent on the reorganisation of states in 1956, they were allotted to the State of Mysore. Ever since then, they have been agitating for a proper equation of their posts and determination of their seniority in the Inter-State Seniority List. They are now aggrieved by the rankings given to them in the Final Inter-State seniority List of the Gazetted Officers in the Forest Deparment published in the Notification dt 9th May 1969 (published in the Mysore Gazette. dated May 9, 1969 ).

( 3 ) TO understand the problem presented, we have to state the facts in a little mure detail. S. Shyam Sunder, the petitioner in WP. 4102/69 was selected by the Madras Public Service Commission as Assistant Con servator of Forests. Be was recruited on 21-3-1953 under Rule 2 (a) of the special Rules of the Madras Forest Service. The said post carried the pay scale of Rs. 300 to. 700. He joined duty on 31-3-1953. He was sent for training at the Indian Forest College Dehra Dun. Dur