Sreedharan, J.

1. These Writ Appeals arise from the decisions in O.Ps. 5238/87, 1971/87 and 1388/87. Writ Appeal 878/94 is filed by the additional 7th respondent in O. P. 5238/87, while the 4th respondent in O. P. 1971/87 is the appellant in W. A. 1193/1994. He was the 3rd respondent in O.P. 1388/87. Against the judgment in that Original Petition, he has preferred W. A. 1309/94. Since the issues raised in these appeals are the same, we consider it advantageous to dispose of them by a common-judgment.

2. The main issue that is to be tackled by us in these appeals is as to how direct recruits to the cadre of Assistant Conservators of Forests are to be ranked in the seniority list vis-a-vis the promotees from the cadre of Rangers. Qualification and method of appointment to the cadre of Assistant Conservators is provided by the Special Rules governing the Kerala Forest Service. Category 4 in the Special Rules relate to Assistant Conservators. The post is to be filled up by direct recruitment or recruitment by transfer from among Rangers in the Kerala Forest Subordinate Service. The rule further states that so far as qualified and suitable candidates are available, direct recruitm