Nagendra Rai, J.

1. All the appeals, except LPA No. 183 of 2002 are barred by limitations. After having heard learned counsel for the parties and taking into consideration the averments made in the limitation petitions in the appeals, we are satisfied that sufficient grounds have been made out to condone the delay in filing these appeals. Accordingly, the delay in filing these appeals are condoned. The appellants filed the writ applications challenging the order dated February 22, 2001 passed by the Forest and Environment Department, Government of Bihar, annexed as Annexure-30 of the writ application No. 3608 of 2001 (hereinafter referred to as the writ application) by which services of 40 Forest Extension Supervisors (hereinafter referred to as the FES) and 91 Forest Extension Workers; (hereinafter referred to as the FEW) including the appellants were terminated.

2. The three writ applications, namely, C.W.J.C. No. 3608, 4176 and 7601 of 2001, were disposed of by a common order dated October 4, 2001 by the learned single Judge of this Court by which the order of termination of the services of the appellants were upheld with a direction to the State Government to consider their cases for absorption on the post of Foresters and Forest Guards keeping in view the long services rendered by them, past assurance given by the Government and other relevant considerations.

3. C.W.J.C. Nos. 10281, 13977 and 12931 of 2001 filed by some of the appellants were disposed of subsequently in terms of the order passed in the aforesaid three writ applications. These appeals have been filed by the appellants challenging the aforesaid order dated October 4, 2001 and subsequent orders passed in accordance with the said order and they have been heard together and are being disposed of by a common order.

4. The admitted facts are that the Central Government during 6th Five Year Plan introduced two schemes, known as National Rural Employment Programme (hereinafter referred to as the NREP) and the Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (for short, RLEGP) with a view to alleviate the rural poverty by distribution of income in favour of the poor and the needy population in the rural areas by providing employment opportunities to them and with a view to generate additional employment particularly for the landless workers. The social forestry was one of the earmarked programmes for which 20% of fund was to be given. Out of this earmarked fund 5% was to be spent on meeting the cost of establishment for setting up social forestry scheme. The entire fund was provided by the Central Government. The aforesaid two programmes were being administered by the Rural Development Department, Government of Bihar which was responsible for the implementation of the programmes and the fund was being made available to the department of Forest and Environment, Government of Bihar by it. The Department of Forest and Environment. Government of Bihar, with a view to implement the aforesaid schemes on February 12/14, 1986 took a decision to create 100 posts of FES and 200 posts of FEW, vide Annexure-2 to the writ application. The salary was to be paid out of the fund available under the aforesaid two schemes, namely, NREP and RLEGP. It was clearly provided in the order creating posts that the posts will be temporary and will be co-terminus with the programme/scheme itself. The qualification and mode of selection etc. were also provided. A committee was constituted under the chairmanship of the Divisional Commissioner consisting of himself and two members, namely, one seniormost District Magistrate and one seniormost Divisional Forest Officer to recommend the names for appointment. The appointment of FES was to be made by the Conservator of Forests and the FEW by the Divisional Forest Officer. In terms of the said decision of the State Government, an advertisement was issued inviting applications from the eligible candidates and the appellants and others applied an