I.A. Ansari, J.

1. I hava heard Mr. J.L. Sarkar, learned Counsel for the petitioners, and Mr. M. Singh, learned Counsel, appearing on behalf of the respondents.

2. The petitioners herein were appointed, on different dates, in the year 1993-1994, as Telephone Mechanic/Tele-Communication Mechanic. In terms of the Telecom Technical Assistant Recruitment Rules, 1998, ('the Rules of 1998'), which came into force on 6.2.1999, a Telephone Mechanic/Tele-Communication Mechanic was eligible for consideration for promotion to the post of Telecom Technical Assistant ('the TTA') on completing five years of regular service in the grade of Telephone Mechanic/Tele-Communication Mechanic.

3. The grievance of the present petitioners is that in terms of the Rules of 1998, the petitioners, having put in requisite period of service of five years in the grade of Telephone Mechanic/Tele-Communication Mechanic, had become eligible for promotion to the post of TTA as far back as in the year 1999, and though vacancies were available in the posts of TTA, the petitioners wore not considered for promotion and the qualifying screening test, as envisaged under the Rules of 1998, were not held; whereas simil