By this petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner, a Union of Class IV employees of the Irrigation Department of the Government of U. P. and several of the members have sought a writ of man damus directing the respondents to regularise the service of the petitioners and to pay equal wages and other benefits to the petitioners as are admissible to the permanent Class IV employees of the Ir rigation Department. A further writ of mandamus is sought to declare the petitioners as permanent employees of the Department for having worked for more than 2 to 7 years on their respective posts.

2. Counter and rejoinder-Affidavits have been exchanged.

3. I have heard Sri Swaraj Prakash, learned Counsel for the petitioner and Sri C. P. Gupta, learned Standing Counsel for the respondents.

4. The case pf the petitioners is that its members who have been mentioned in the title of the writ petition numbering 20, have been working on the posts of Chaukidar, Dhawak (Runner), Cook-cum- Bearer, Beldar, Seenchpal, Driver, Supervisor, Helper, Typist etc. in the Ir rigation Divisions I, II, III, IV and V from various dates mentioned in paragraph 3 of the writ