Laxmi Kanta Mohapatra; CJ.

1. In this batch of cases, the petitioners challenge the order dated 2nd November, 2011 passed by the Joint Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Manipur regularising their ad-hoc appointment w.e.f. 03.09.2001 notionally for the purpose of pensionary and other service benefits but without seniority benefit.

2. The parties to the proceedings have been litigating for more than a decade on several issues. Several writ petitions have been filed in the Gauhati High Court (Imphal Bench) as well as Supreme Court with regard to regularisation of the petitioners in service but the question involved in the present case is in relation to fixation of seniority.

3. The following facts are not in dispute:-

In pursuance of the State Government's Office Memorandum dated 8.2.1996, the Director of Health Services, Govt. of Manipur issued an advertisement on 28th February, 1996 inviting applications from eligible candidates for recruitment to the posts of 59 Medical Officers and 18 Dental Surgeons on ad-hoc basis for a period of 6 months. In pursuance of the said advertisement, the petitioners and several others submitted their respective applications. The Scre