Balakrishnan, J.

These original petitions were referred to the Division Bench as they raise important questions of law. The main relief prayed for in these writ petitions is for a writ of mandamus or any other writ or order directing the Government to extend the validity period of the P.S.C, rank 1st of L.D. Clerks for appointment in the various departments and to take necessary steps to report the vacancies to the Public Service Commission so that the petitioners may be given advice memo by the P.S.C. Other incidental reliefs have also been prayed for in these petitions.

2. Except O.P.Nos.13670 and 2252 of 1993 and O.P.153 of 1994, all writ petitions relate to appointment of L.D. Clerks. O.P.No. 13670 of 1993 and O.P.No. 2252 of 1993 relate to appointment of Last Grade employees and O.P.No. 153 of 1994 relates to the appointment of Panchayat Executive Office Gr.II.

3. We shall briefly refer to the relevant facts in each case. O.P.No. 6633 of 1993 relates to the appointment of L.D. Clerks in Ernakulam District. Notification was invited on 10-5-88 and written test was conducted on 22-7-89. Ranked list was published on 19-6-90 and the main list contained 914 candidates and t