LENTIN B., J.:­­ - These petitions are filed by certain Inspectors of Police. They question the validity and/or interpretation of Government Resolutions making reservations for Scheduled Castes (S.Cs.), Scheduled Tribes (S.Ts.) and Denotified Tribes/Normadic Tribes (Dts/Nts) in the category of Inspectors of Police and promotion from that category to that of Assistant Commissioners of Police in the Greater Bombay Police Force. Common questions of law arise. A common judgment.

2. Hereunder a broad outline of the Government Resolutions:

(A) Government Resolution dt. 23rd May, 1974 provides for the reservation of 13% in favour of S.Cs. and S.C. converts to Budhism, 7% in favour of S.Ts. and 4% in favour of D.Ts./N.Ts. in promotions made on the basis of seniority subject to fitness in appointments to all Class I, II, III and IV posts in grades or services in which the element of direct recruitment, if any does not exceed 50%. The Resolution provides for the maintenance of a roster and the procedure to be followed for promotion in respect of vacancies expected to arise during a year.

(B) Government Resolution dt. 23rd May, 1974 was partially modified by Government Resolution dt. 31