JUDGMENT :

1. Heard Mr. T. J. Mahanta, learned senior counsel assisted by Mr. W.R. Medhi, learned counsel for the writ petitioner. Also heard Mr. A. Kalita, learned Standing Counsel, Industries and Commerce Department, Assam, appearing for the respondent nos. 1 to 5. Mr. A.K. Purkayastha, learned counsel has appeared on behalf of the respondent nos. 6 to 10 whereas, Mr. M. Nath, learned senior counsel assisted by Mr. D.P. Borah, learned counsel has appeared for the respondent nos. 11, 12 and 14 to 19.

2. This writ petition has a chequered history and, therefore, the facts and circumstances, shorn of unnecessary details, are briefly narrated herein below:-

(i) The Director of Industries, Government of Assam, had issued an advertisement dated 30/11/1993 inviting applications for filling up few vacant posts of Extension Officers (EOs). Upon conclusion of the recruitment process, a final select list of 150 candidates was prepared. Based on the aforesaid process, appointment orders had apparently been issued to as many as 140 candidates. However, the recruitment process was called into question by some of the candidates, who were not appointed, by filing a number of writ petitions before t