1. These three appeals arise from the judgment in O.P. No. 3076 of 1982. W.A. No. 87 of 1983 is by the State, W.A. No. 88 of 1983 by the 2nd respondent in OP. and W.A. No. 122 of 1983 by the Petitioners in the Original Petition. Since there are three appeals from the same judgment, reference to the parties in this judgments will be as they are arrayed in the Original Petition.

2. The 2nd respondent was the Chief Engineer, Public Health Engineering Department. His date of birth is 4-4-1927. He attained 55 years on 3-4-1982. Under R.60(a) Part I of the Kerala Service Rules, his retirement was to take effect from the A.N. of the last date of the month in which he attained 55 years of age, which meant his retirement was to take effect with effect from 1-5-1982 The Government felt that his continued services were necessary, in view of the fact that certain important negotiations with World Bank authorities regarding Water Supply Schemes with which he was intimately connected, were pending. Therefore by Ext. P1 order dated 7-4-1982 his services as Chief Engineer, P.H.E.D. was extended for a period of two years with effect from 1-5-1982. By the same order an additional post of