Heard Mr. Samarjit Bhattacharji, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners as well as Mr. S. Chakraborty, learned Additional Government Advocate appearing for the respondents.

2. The petitioners have challenged the decision of the respondents denying them the benefit of CAS-3 [as modified] under the Tripura State Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 1999, in short ‘ROP, 1999’ w.e.f. 24.07.2004 when the petitioners had completed 8(eight) years of service as the Agricultural Officer (Grade-I of Tripura Agricultural Service) Group-B Gazetted. The petitioners have asserted that their appointment on 25.07.1996 should have been taken as their day of appointment for purpose of extending the said benefit.

3. As consequence of the said relief, the petitioners have also urged this court to direct the respondents to modify the Memorandum No.F.2(74)-Agri/Estt/2001-02/8234-8485 dated 08.11.2007 (Annexure-R and Annexure-S to the writ petition), whereby the petitioners alongwith others were moved to CAS-3 in the pay scale of Rs. 10,000-300-15,100/- on completion of 8(eight) years continuous and satisfactory qualifying service in the existing post without promotion. The petition