JUDGMENT :

1. Heard Mr. Binter Picha, learned counsel for the petitioners. Also heard Mr. Lissing Perme, learned standing counsel, Department of Power, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, appearing on behalf of Respondents No. 1 to 5; and Mr. Dicky Panging, learned counsel, appearing on behalf of private respondents No. 6 to 13.

2. The writ petitioners, altogether 93 in numbers, who are stated to be casual employees serving under various Sub-Divisions in different disciplines under the establishment of the Executive Engineer(E), Yingkiong Electrical Division, Department of Power, have filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, challenging the appointment of private respondents No. 6, 7, 8 & 10 as Meter Reader W/C employees and private respondents No. 9,11 & 12 as Computer Operator W/C employees, on the ground that the appointment of the aforesaid private respondents, as W/C employees, have been made without conducting a trade test or if at all such a trade test was held, without affording the petitioners an opportunity to participate in such trade test.