(1) This petition and numerous other petitions are filed in this Court for challenging the validity of the Government Resolution, dated March 18, 1966, as clarified by the two circular letters each dated April 16, 1966. The petitioners also challenge the notices of discharge, each dated April 5, 1966, terminating the services of each of the petitioners and allotting them to services of Zilla Parishads as of and from August 16, 1966. In other petitions also similar notices are challenged. The petitioners have prayed for quashing and setting aside of the notices of discharge and also for a mandamus restraining the Government from allotting the petitioners to the services of Zilla Parishad, Dhulia.

(2) The questions arising in this petition being common to several petitions filed in this Court are of general importance in relation to all the Class 3 and Class 4 employees of the State Government (consisting of about 45/55 thousand in all) who as surplus staff, are proposed to be allotted and transferred to ""District Services"" of Zilla Parishads of several districts in the State of Maharashtra.

(3) The broad facts leading to the passing of the above resolution and the issuin