Markandey Katju, C.J.

These four writ appeals involve common questions of law, and hence are being disposed of by a common judgment.

2. We have heard learned counsel for the parties, and have perused the record.

3. All the appellants were appointed as Guest Lecturers in various departments in Government Arts/Science/Engineering/Law Colleges in the State of Tamil Nadu, and were not appointed in a regular capacity. Their prayer in the writ petitions is that they should be permitted to continue as Guest Lecturers till regular appointments were made on the posts of lecturers.

4. Before dealing with the contentions of the learned counsel for the appellants it is necessary to state certain background facts. Upto the year 1989 the posts of lecturers, etc. in the Government Arts, Science, Engineering and Law Colleges affiliated to various Universities in Tamil Nadu had been filled in through selection by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission. By G.O.Ms.No.1342, Education dated 22.09.1989 a Teachers Recruitment Board was formed and the selection to teaching posts for all the aforesaid Colleges was entrusted to the Teachers Recruitment Board. The Teachers Recruitment Board consis