P.C.Pandit, J.

1. This order will dispose of two connected writ petitions Nos. 1164 and 1481 of 1964. Counsel for the parties are agreed that the decision in the former petition will govern the other as well. I will, therefore, refer to the facts in Civil Writ 1164 of 1964.

2. Hardial Malik, Sunder Lal & Kahan Chand, all employees of Irrigation Branch in the Public Works Department, Punjab Government, filed a petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution against the State of Punjab and the Chief Engineer, Irrigation Branch (South) Punjab, Respondents Nos. 1 and 2. Subsequently, about 200 persons, whose seniority would be affected if the writ petition was allowed, were also impleaded as respondents. The petitioners were appointed as Assistant Clerks in the said department on 25th September, 1946, 17th February 1947 and 9th June, 1947, respectively. They had been working as civilian clerks in the Armed Forces during the Second World War and it was after their release from the Armed Forces that they joined the Irrigation Department as Assistant Clerks in a temporary capacity. Later, by an order dated 29th October, 1956, they were confirmed as Assistant Clerks with ef