JUDGMENT :

Heard Mr. M. Nath, learned senior counsel, assisted by Mr. A. Bhattacharjee, learned counsel for the petitioners in W.P.(C) 4803/2016, Mr. U.K. Nair, learned senior counsel, assisted by Mr. R. Islam, learned counsel for the petitioner in W.P.(C) 4729/2016, W.P.(C) 4730/2016, and W.P.(C) 4489/2017. Also heard Mr. K. Gogoi, learned standing counsel for the Higher Education Department, representing respondent nos. 1 and 3 and Mr. A.

Khanikar, learned standing counsel for the N.C. Hills Autonomous Council, representing respondent nos. 2, 4 and 5.

2. By filing these writ petitions under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioners, who are currently working as Assistant Professors in Maibong Degree College have prayed for (i) setting aside and quashing the Office Memorandum (OM for short) dated 10.07.2015 issued by the Addl. Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Education (Higher) Department; (ii) setting aside and quashing the letter dated 29.03.2016 by the respondent no.4 in so far it concerns the petitioners; and (iii) for directing the respondents to pay the annual increment to the petitioners including the selection grade pay.

Case of the petitioners and submis