JUDGMENT :

Heard Mr. B. Chetri, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners in both these writ petitions. Also heard Mr. T.C. Chutia, learned Additional Senior Government Advocate, Assam appearing for the respondent Nos.1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 and Mr. P. Nayak, learned Standing Counsel, Finance Department, Assam appearing for the respondent No.5. Both these writ petitions are founded on common questions of law and facts and therefore, are being disposed of by this common judgment.

2. The case projected in the writ petitions, briefly stated, is to the effect that the four writ petitioners in WP(C) No.5210/2008 and the five writ petitioners WP(C) No.941/2017 had participated in the recruitment process initiated by the Treasury Officer, Sonitpur for filling up 10 vacant posts of Junior Accounts Assistant and one post of Grade-IV staff in the Sonitpur District Treasury establishment for the year 2007-08. Pursuant to the letter dated 01.02.2007 issued by the Joint Secretary to the Government of Assam, Finance Department granting approval for conducting the recruitment process for filling up the aforesaid posts, the Deputy Commissioner, Sonitpur had written a letter dated 02.06.2007 requesting