B. Lamare, J.

1. Heard Mr. T. Koza, learned Counsel for the Petitioners as well as Mr. I. Jamir, learned Addl. Advocate General assisted by Mrs. Y. Longkumer for the Respondents.

2. The Petitioners 254 in numbers were appointed as LDA, Stenographer Grade III and Typist in the Nagaland Civil Secretariat by different appointment orders issued during the period 1991-2000. The appointment of all the Petitioners were made on contract, substitute or on Adhoc basis. All of them were appointed initially for a specific period mentioned in the appointment orders. However, the services of the Petitioners were extended from time to time.

3. While the Petitioners were serving, a notice dated 8.8.01 was issued by the Government in the Home Department intimating the dates for selection of casual employees in Nagaland Civil Secretariat whose term of appointment has not been extended and those who are on extension of their services. The dates of interview for LDAs, Typist and Stenos were fixed on 24.8.01, 27.8.01 and 28.8.01. The said notice was issued on the basis of the earlier notification dated 13.7.01 by which the Government constituted the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee aft