'CR'

Alleging invidious discrimination meted out by the respondents, this writ petition has been filed by the petitioners who are presently working as Excise Inspectors. While working as Preventive Officers, they were promoted to the post of Assistant Excise Inspectors as per Ext.P3 dated 19.07.2003. Thereafter, they were promoted to the post of Excise Inspectors as per Ext.P5 dated 09.03.2005. This writ petition has been filed mainly with a prayer to issue a direction to the 2nd respondent for pre-dating their promotions as Excise Inspectors with effect from the date of their promotion as Assistant Excise Inspectors viz., from 19.07.2003 in the light of Exts.P1, P2 and P6. The further prayer is that the 1st respondent may be directed to consider and pass orders on Ext.P7 and similar representations filed by the petitioners carrying similar prayers.

2. The petitioners were promoted to the post of Assistant Excise Inspectors only as per Ext.P3 order dated 19.07.2003. Ext.P5 would reveal that they were promoted to the post of Excise Inspectors as per order dated 09.03.2005. The claim of the petitioners is to predate their promotion as Excise Inspectors with effect from the