( 1 ) THESE two special appeals have been filed by the appellant-writ petitioners against a common judgment and order dated 22. 1. 1998 passed by the learned single Judge whereby the writ petitions filed by the appellants-writ petitioners have been dismissed.

( 2 ) WE have heard Shri Ashok Khare, learned senior counsel assisted by Shri P. N. Ojha on behalf of the appellant-writ petitioners in both the special appeals and Shri Ran Vijay Singh, learned standing counsel for the respondents.

( 3 ) BRIEFLY stated facts giving rise to the present special appeals are that the appellant-writ petitioners joined as class IV employees on different class IV posts, such as ward boys, sweeper-cum-chaukidars and chaukidar-cum-sweepers at the places of their posting in the month of June, 1996 in pursuance of the different orders of appointment dated 7. 6. 1996 passed by Dr. Yashpal Singh. the then Chief Medical Officer, Padrauna, now Kushinagar. When they were not getting their salary. Sadiq Ali and 7 others filed Civil Misc. Writ Petition No. 34448 of 1996 seeking writ of mandamus commanding the respondents not to interfere with the performance of their duties on the posts on w