1. The petitioners in these Original Petitions are employees of the Thiruvananthapuram District Co-operative Bank. The petitioners entered service prior to 1.1.1974 on which date Chap.15 was introduced in the Kerala Co-operative Societies Rules (hereinafter referred to as 'the Rules'). Thereunder by R.186 of the Rules qualifications were prescribed for appointing for the posts in Co-operative Societies. R.185 of the Rules dealt with promotion. Under R.186, all posts other than those requiring technical qualifications, the starting pay of which is Rs.250.00 and above would be filled only by candidates who had a degree in Commerce or Masters degree in Arts of a recognised University, with Co-operation as special subject or a

degree from any recognised University and a Higher Diploma in Co-operation or a Diploma in Rural Services with Co-operation as optional subject or B.Sc. (Co-operation & Banking) Degree of the Kerala Agricultural University. The petitioners in these Original Petitions did not have the educational qualification of graduation. The petitioners in O.P. No.11154 of 1997 obtained promotion as Branch Managers in the light of the protection offered by R.200 of