1. In this petition, the petitioners seek a writ of Certiorari for setting aside the orders bearing Nos. 581 DRDK of 2015 dated 31st of August, 2015, DRDK/Estt/9752 dated 29th of June, 2015 & RD/Legal/49/2015 dated 14th of August, 2015. A writ of Mandamus is also sought for directing the respondents to promote the petitioners as Panchayat Inspectors Grade-II/Plantation Rangers and BDOs retrospectively from the date, the private respondents have been promoted.

2. The facts germane to the decision of the instant petition are that in the year 1998, the petitioners were appointed as Village Level Workers (VLWs) in the Rural Development Department under and in terms of the J&K Rural Development Department Subordinate Service Recruitment Rules 2007, which provides for the reservation of 5% quota for the Village Level Workers (VLWs) having the Post Graduate Diploma in the Rural Development Department (PGDRD), to be entitled to be promoted to the post of Panchayat Inspectors – Grade-II/Plantation Rangers. The petitioners have further stated that, contrary to the said rules,