JUDGMENT

Ravindra Maithani, J. (Oral). - Since common question of law and facts are involved in all these writ petitions, they are being decided by this common judgment.

2. This is third round of litigation. The petitioners, who were initially appointed as Constables in the Provincial Armed Constabulary (for short, "PAC") were given pay scale of the Head Constables, after completion of 14 years of services. After completion of 24 years of service, they were entitled to another higher pay scale. The period of 24 years of service was to fall after 01.06.2006, the day from which, the recommendations of Sixth Pay Commission (for short, "PC") were made applicable. In the State of Uttarakhand by a Government Order dated 17.10.2008, the recommendations of Sixth PC were made applicable and options were invited from the employees to give their options within a period of 90 days.

3. It is the case of the petitioners that they were never informed about the Government Order dated 17.10.2008. It is only after the lapse of about 5 years, the respondent no. 4 sought options from the petitioners by a letter dated 12.02.2013. The petitioners gave their options to grant benefit of Sixth PC from the dat