Amitava Roy, J.

1. The subject matter of challenge in the instant proceedings is the judgment and order dated 18.12.2009 passed by the learned Central Administrative Tribunal, Guwahati Bench, Guwahati (for short, hereinafter referred to as the 'Tribunal') in Original Application No. 114/2003 sustaining the challenge of the Respondent Nos. 4 to 8 herein to the order dated 19.9.2002 of the Commissioner of Central Excise, Shillong whereby the petitioners as well as the Respondent Nos. 9 to 23 (names deleted as sought for by the petitioners vide order dated 28.10.2011) were promoted to the Grade of Superintendent Group-B under the official respondents. We have heard Mr. K. N. Choudhury, Senior Advocate assisted by Mr. R. Dubey, Advocate for the petitioner, Mr. D.C. Chakraborty, learned Central Govt. Standing Counsel for the Respondent Nos. 1, 2 and 3 and Mr. S. Das, Advocate for Respondent Nos. 4 to 8.

2. Briefly stated, the facts indispensable for dealing with the issues involved are that the petitioners and the private respondents were initially appointed as direct recruits in the cadre of Inspector in the Shillong Commissionerate under the official respondents. Following a dec