Ujjal Bhuyan, J.

1. All the above cases were heard together since the subject matter of all the cases is identical and are being disposed of by this common order. In this bunch of writ petitions, primary challenge made is to the validity of office memorandum No. ABP. 513/79/09 dated 27.03.1980 of the Personnel (B) Department, Govt. of Assam read with office memorandum No. ABP. 73/89/17 dated 04.01.1992 of the said Department in so far it restricts the benefit of age relaxation for entering into Government service only to persons who are in the service of the State Government.

2. Shorn of details, basic facts which may be necessary for adjudication of this bunch of writ petitions may be briefly set out.

3. In WP(C) Nos. 845, 2138, 2157, 2178 and 2003 of 2014, petitioners had responded to an advertisement issued by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) bearing advertisement No. 12/2012 dated 19.10.2012 whereby applications were invited from eligible candidates to fill up 115 vacancies in the post of Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (VAS)/Extension Officer [EO (Veterinary)] in the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Govt. of Assam. As per the said advertisement, to be el