NAINAR SUNDARAM, J.

1. The petitioners in the writ petitions are the appellants in these writ appeals. The respondents in the writ petitions are the respondents in these Writ Appeals. We are referring to the parties as per their array in the writ petitions. The matters relate to promptions of Draughtsmen Grade III from the posts of Tracers in the Public Works Department of the State of Tamil Nadu. The petitioners, though did not possess the requisite qualifications, were regularly appointed in the services as Tracers, relaxing the rules therefor. In February-March, 1975, the petitioners were promoted as Draughtsmen Grade III. It is true that the petitioners did not possess the prescribed qualifications for the posts of Draughtsmen Grade III. But they had, at the time of their promotions, put in more than ten years of experience as Tracers G.O. Ms. No. 2587, Public Works Department, dated 15-7-1950, laid down that the qualifications specified, shall not be necessary for appoint ment as Draughtsmen Grade III in case of ten years of experience as Tracers. This had settled the issue if any, with reference to lack of qualifications on the part of the petitioners for the posts