Rajesh Bindal, J.

1. This order will dispose of bunch of cases bearing Civil Writ Petition Nos. 14495, 16140, 17404 of 2002, 7039 of 2004, 6981, 7726, 8351, 8366, 10298, 10790, 14791 of 2005, 5634, 5653, 6840, 6899, 7389, 7561 and 14740 of 2006 as common questions of law and facts are involved.

2. The challenge in the bunch of these petitions is to the orders passed by the respondents terminating the services of the petitioners, who were employed on various posts, namely-Veterinary Pharmacist, Clerk, Beldar, Boatman, Peon, Mali cum chowkidar, Water Carrier and Sweeper against the vacancies meant for physically handicapped persons.

3. The facts are extracted from Civil Writ Petition No. 7561 of 2006.

4. Briefly the facts are that Director, Rural Development and Panchayat, Punjab issued advertisement inviting applications for completing the backlog of vacancies reserved for physically handicapped persons lying vacant for various posts in the Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samities in the State of Punjab. The advertisement was published in the newpaper on September 8, 2001. The last date for receipt of applications was September 17, 2001. The application on prescribed form was t