JUDGMENT

Nelson Sailo, J. - Heard Mr. L.H. Lianhrima, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Ms. Ruth Lalruatfeli, learned counsel for the petitioners in WP(C) No.60 of 2019 and Mr. A.R. Malhotra, learned counsel for the respondent Nos. 5 to 9. Also heard Mr. Joseph L. Renthlei, learned counsel for the petitioner in WP(C) No.62 of 2019 and Mr. A.R. Malhotra, learned counsel for the respondent Nos. 5 to 11. Mr. C. Zoramchhana, the learned Addl. Advocate General, Mizoram appears for the State respondents in both the writ petitions.

2. Wp(C) No. 60 of 2019 pertains to Public Works Department (PWD for short) while WP(C) No. 62 of 2019 pertains to Public Health Engineering Department (PHE Department for short). Since the issue involved in both the cases are similar i.e., seniority between Diploma and Graduate Engineers, they are being disposed of by this common judgment and order.

3. The brief facts of the case in WP(C) No. 60 of 2019 is that the petitioners, who are 28 in numbers are Graduate Engineers and they were directly appointed to the Mizoram Engineering Service (MES for short). They are aggrieved with the fixation of separate seniority list for Graduate Engineers and Diploma Engineers