1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned counsel for the respondents.

2. The petitioners are aggrieved by the order dated 8.5.2007 issued by the respondents. It relegates them to the basic pay of the scale on which they were appointed even while extending their services from 1.3.2007 till 31.1.2008.

3. An advertisement was issued by the respondents on 14.1.2001 inviting applications for appointment on vacant posts inter alia of "Anusevak", "Aadesh Vahak", Farash, Mehtar, security persons and drivers.

The advertisement set out the scale of pay, conditions of eligibility, reservation and that selection was to be based on competitive merit to be assessed at an interview. The petitioners applied for the same. After the selection process was over a merit list was prepared. Individual appointment letters were then issued to them making appointment in the pay scale of Rs. 2550-55-2660-60-3200.00 alongwith admissible allowances. The appointment letters dated 7.10.2003 stated that the appointment was being made on a temporary post valid till 29.2.2004. By separate orders their services were extended annually till the issuance of the impugned order relegating them to