L. Narasimha Reddy, J.

These two Letters Patent Appeals arise out of the judgment dated 4.5.2015, passed in C.W.J.C. No.19114/12. While respondents 1 to 14 in the writ petition filed L.P.A. No.1066/15, respondents 15 to 20 therein filed L.P.A. No.1071/15.

2. The State of Bihar passed resolution dated 21.8.2012 (Annexure-13 to the writ petition) providing for reservation in promotion, with consequential seniority in favour of the employees belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (for short SC/STs.), working in various services of the State. This was done in exercise of power conferred upon or the liberty given to the State under Clause-(4A) of Article-16 of the Constitution of India. The writ petition was filed challenging the same. The consequential orders of promotion were also challenged by filing an interlocutory application.

3. The writ petitioners, i.e. the contesting respondents herein, are the employees working in various departments of the State. They challenge the resolution dated 21.8.2012 as being contrary to the letter and spirit of Article-16(4A) and violative of the principles laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in its judgment in M. Nagraj Vs. Unio