JUDGMENT :

Heard Mr. Joseph L. Renthlei, the learned counsel for the petitioners, Mr. C. Zoramchhana, the learned Addl. Advocate General for the State-respondent Nos. 1 to 4 and Mr. B. Lalramenga, the learned counsel appearing for the private respondent Nos. 5 and 6.

[2.] The facts of the case as projected by the petitioners may briefly be noticed at the outset. The petitioners are Diploma Engineers and the private respondent Nos. 5 and 6 are Graduate Engineers. They were all appointed under the Public Health Engineering Department (PHE Department). The petitioners were promoted to the Junior Grade of the Mizoram Engineering Service (MES for short) on 29.03.2000 and on 29.01.2001 respectively. Whereas, the respondent Nos. 5 and 6, both Graduate Engineers entered the MES in the same Grade on 20.12.1996 and 30.12.1997 respectively.

[3.] The State Government in exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India framed the Mizoram Engineering Service Rules, 2013 (Rules of 2013), which governs the service conditions of Engineers working under th