Heard respective counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners and respondents. Counter and rejoinder affidavits have been exchanged. The writ petition is being decided finally.

2. The petitioners have made a number of prayers in the instant writ petition, but counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners has confined his argument to prayer no. (iii), which reads thus:-

"for issuance of further appropriate writ(s)/order(s)/direction(s) including the writ of mandamus from this Hon'ble Court directing the respondents not to alter/vary the service conditions of the petitioners which existed immediately before the appointed day to their disadvantage, as the same is violative of the provisions of Section 73 of the Bihar Reorganization Act, 2000."

3. Petitioner No. 1 as well as petitioner no. 2 both were working on the post of Functional Manager under the Department of Industries of the erstwhile State of Bihar. Petitioner No. 1 has joined the post on 1.6.1990 and petitioner no. 2 has joined the post of Functional Manager on 1st August, 1990. The claim of the petitioners alongwith few others for promotion to then post of General Managers/ Deputy Directors of Industries accrued whi