S.J. Vazifdar, J.

Both the Writ Petitions involve the same questions and are accordingly disposed of by this common judgment. There is one petitioner in Writ Petition No. 568 of 2012 and there are two petitioners in Writ Petition No. 616 of 2012.

We will refer to the facts as stated in Writ Petition No. 616 of 2012.

2. The petitioners seek a Writ of Certiorari to quash and set aside a decision of the Government of Goa, taken in its 'Cabinet Meeting' held on 23rd May, 2012 (in Agenda Item No.18), not to accept the recommendations of Respondent No.2 – Goa Public Service Commission (GPSC) in regard to the selection to 9 (nine) vacancies to the post of 'Junior Scale Officer of Goa Civil Service'. The petitioners have also sought a Writ of Mandamus commanding the respondents to accept the said recommendations of GPSC pursuant to advertisement No. 2 of 2011 as modified by advertisement No. 4 of 2011.

3. By the said advertisement No. 2 of 2011 issued on 11th February, 2011, the GPSC invited applications in respect of 9 vacancies for the said post of which 4 were reserved for ST (Schedule Tribes), 2 for OBC (Other Backward Classes), 2 for PH (Physically Handicapped) and 1 for