S.J. Mukhopadhaya, J.

1. Since the issue involved in both the writ petitions are of vital public importance, in as much as these relate to the status of every person, who immediately before reorganisation was serving in connection of the existing State, of Bihar and the powers of the successor-State of Bihar and Jharkhand, they were heard together and are being disposed of by this common judgment and order.

2. The petitioner, Arvind Vijay Bilung of CWJC No. 2202/2001, a member of State. Education Service, was posted at Jehanabad (now in the present State of Bihar) between 1996-98. Since October 16th, 1998, he was posted as District Superintendent of Education, Chatra (now in the State of Jharkhand).

3. The other petitioner, V.N. Mishra of WP (S) No. 2692/2001, a member of State Forest Service, was posted as Divisional Forest Officer, State Trading Division, Gumla (now in the State of Jharkhand). Subsequently, he was posted as Divisional Forest Officer, Minor Forest Material Project Division, Jamshedpur (now in the State of Jharkhand).

4. At that stage the Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000 (Central Act, No. 30 of 2000), hereinafter referred to as "the Act, 2000", was enacted which bec