U.C. Dhyani, J.

1. There is some delay in preferring the appeals by the State Government. Being satisfied with the sufficiency of reasons, we condone such delay. Delay condonation applications (CLAM 7507/16, 7510/16 and 7513/16) stand allowed accordingly.

2. Since the factual matrix of the judgment, under challenge, is the same against which the above mentioned special appeals have been filed, either by the petitioners or by the State of Uttarakhand, therefore, all the special appeals arising out of the orders dated 10.3.2016 and 5.4.2016 are being decided together by this common judgment and order for the sake of brevity and convenience.

3. The relevant portion of the order, under challenge, is being reproduced hereinbelow for convenience: -

“The petitioner before this Court is a Patwari’s Peon working in the Revenue Circle, District Almora. He claims promotion from Class IV post to Class III post i.e. to a post of Patwari, which is now called as “Revenue Sub Inspector”. Although, in the erstwhile State of U.P. there was initially no specific Rules for promotion of Patwari Peon to the post of Patwari but under the Government Order dated 18.08.1986, 10% posts of Patwari were