1. The petitioner, who was a Statistical Inspector, was promoted as a Research Officer in the Bureau of Economics and Statistics and was posted as Economic Investigator in the Rural Industrial Project, Kozhikode, as per the order dated 18 21963 passed by the first respondent (see Ex. P-1). Two other persons, namely V. K. Paran Unni and Bhaskara Menon, were also promoted as Research Officers under that order. The petitioner states in his affidavit:

"In the selection list of the P. S. C., there were nine persons junior to the petitioner and they were also appointed as Statistical Inspectors. Since 18 21963 these juniors as well as 9 others were promoted as Research Officers. Except the said Sri Paran Unni and the petitioner all the other incumbents are now functioning as Research Officers."

The petitioner and Paran Unni were reverted as Research Assistants by an order passed on 23 61964 by the first respondent (Ex. P-2). The reason why that order was passed is stated in the order as follows:

"Sri K. K. Karunakaran and Sri V. K. Paran Unni provisional Research Officers on Rs. 200 to 400 now working as Economic Investigator, Rural Industries Project, Alleppey and Kozhikode res