JUDGMENT :

Arup Kumar Goswami, J.

Heard Dr. N.K. Shukla, learned senior counsel for the appellants in all the writ appeals. Also heard Mr. H.S. Ahluwalia, learned Deputy Advocate General, appearing for the State/respondents No.1 to 3 in all these appeals, Mr. Apurv Goyal, learned counsel, appearing for respondent No.4 in Writ Appeal Nos.171 of 2017, 168 of 2017 and 169 of 2017, Mr. Rajnish Singh Baghel, learned counsel, appearing for respondent No.4 in Writ Appeal No.166 of 2017 and Mr. Pankaj Agrawal, learned counsel, appearing for respondent No.4 in Writ Appeal No.173 of 2017.

2. These writ appeals are presented against a common order dated 28.03.2017 passed by the learned Single Judge in Writ Petition (S) Nos.1502 of 2014, 677 of 2016, 5622 of 2016, 5598 of 2016, 5617 of 2016, 5625 of 2016 and 5669 of 2016.

3. Writ Appeal No.171 of 2017 is preferred in respect of Writ Petition (S) No.1502 of 2014.

4. The writ petitioners, namely, Vishnu Prasad Chandrakar in Writ Petition (S) No.1502 of 2014, Rameshwar Prasad Chandrakar in Writ Petition (S) No.677 of 2016 and Vijay Kumar Sherkar in Writ Petition (S) No.5669 of 2016 were the employees of Municipal Corporation, Bhilai; the writ petition