( 1 ) THE petitioners who are Probation Officers in the pay-scale of Rs. 425-700 have filed this petition claiming promotion to the higher post carrying the pay-scale of Rs. 550-900 mainly on the ground that the officers junior to them are promoted to the higher post

( 2 ) IT appears that in the Directorate of Social Defence there is a common cadre of officers in the pay-scale of Rs. 425-700 which cadre consists of Probation Officers under the Probation of Offenders Act and other posts. Petitioner No. 1 was appointed as Probation Officer on 1/02/1964 and petitioner No. 2/01/1963 Both the petitioners were later on confirmed in the said posts. There is another common cadre in the Directorate of Social Defence carrying pay-scale of Rs. 550-900 to which promotion is made from the lower common cadre in the pay-scale of Rs. 425-700. There are about 10 posts carrying the pay-scale of Rs. 550-900 and they have been pooled together for the purpose of recruitment. These posts are filled in by direct selection and promotion as per the Government Notification No. EST/1064/33492 (12)-Chh dated 9/02/1970 The Directorate of Social Defence is concerned with social security of men an