Ashok Bhushan, J.

These writ appeals arise out of a common judgment dated 24.06.2013 passed in four writ petitions. W.A. No.720 of 2014 arises out of W.P.(C) No.25045 of 2006, W.A. No. 728 of 2014 arises out of W.P.(C) No. 36204 of 2001, W.A. No. 756 of 2014 arises out of W.P.(C) No.35084 of 2001 and W.A. No.775 of 2014 arises out of W.P.(C) No. 36197 of 2001.

2. The writ petitioners are the respondents in the appeals. Parties shall be referred to as described in the writ petition. W.A. No.720 of 2014 is being treated as the leading case and facts giving rise to the writ appeal shall suffice in deciding the issues raised in all the appeals.

3. The petitioners who had filed the writ petition were appointed as members of Ombudsman as per Section 271G(2) of the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 by Notification dated 29.05.2000. In all, 7 persons were appointed as members of the Ombudsman. All the petitioners joined their offices as members of Ombudsman on 30.05.2000. The provision providing for creating of Ombudsman was incorporated in the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 by Act 13 of 1999 by which Chapter XXVB was inserted. Chapter XXVB contained a heading "Ombudsman for Local Self