( 1 ) THESE nineteen writ petitions are knit together by reason of common questions of law and facts being involved therein and therefore, they were taken up together being amenable to common hearing and disposal.

( 2 ) THE facts beyond the pale of controversy are that petitioners herein were appointed in a special recruitment drive launched by the State Government to fill up the quota reserved for s. C. /s. T. candidates in various circles/divisions of the U. P. Jal Nigam. The vacancies were duly advertised in Hindi Dailies of wide circulation and appointments were made on the basis of recommendations made by duly constituted Selection Committees. the selected candidates joined their duties but subsequently, the appointment came to be rescinded by order of the Chief engineer, U. P. Jal Nigam, Lucknow.

( 3 ) I have heard Saryshri Bhagwati Prasad, K. C. Sinha and S. M. A. Kazmi in support of their respective petitions and Smt. Poonam Srivastava in opposition thereto.

( 4 ) THE order cancelling the appointments are sought to be quashed inter alia on the ground of violation of audi alterant rule of natural justice and also on the ground of arbitrariness and absence of