JUDGMENT :

Heard Mr. C.T. Jamir, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Mr. I. Imchen, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr. Moa Imchen, learned Senior Govt. Counsel for all the respondents.

2. Claiming to have a common cause of action, the nine (9) writ petitioners have joined hands in filing the instant writ petition. The petitioners were appointed as Medical Officers on contract basis for a period of one (1) year or till the post is filled up through Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). Their services were thereafter extended from time to time and they are continuing as such till date.

3. After serving for more than four (4) years on contract basis, the Health & Family Welfare Department vide Notification dated 04.09.2017 constituted a committee to conduct a suitability test for regularization of contract services of 11 contract Doctors under the Health & Family Welfare Department, which included the present writ petitioners as well. Suitability test was conducted on 06.09.2017 and all those who participated for the test were declared to be qualified. The Department of Health & Family Welfare then submitted the Meeting Minutes dated 08.09.2017 along with the score sheet obt