1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and J.C. to Government Pleader No.1 for the respondents.

2. By this writ application, the petitioner has prayed for quashing the order as in Memo No. 274 dated 12.12.1997 as contained in Annexure-17 whereby and whereunder the services of the petitioner have been terminated. Learned counsel has also prayed for quashing of the general direction issued by the Secretary of the Department concerned as contained in Annexure-12 dated 3.1.1997 whereby and whereunder direction was issued to terminate the services of the employees of the Public Health Engineering Department who were appointed after 1.1.1988 either on class III or class IV post.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner was appointed on the post of Correspondence Clerk which is a class III post against a scale vide Memo No.5 dated 15.2.1988 as contained in Annexure-1 and the same was subsequently approved by the Chief Engineer (Mechanical) vide Memo No.698 dated 20.6.1988 as contained in Annexure-2. Thereafter the petitioner continued in service till the order as contained in Annexure-17 was passed. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submitt