JUDGMENT

[1] Heard Mr. N. Jotendro, learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioners, Mr. RK. Umakanta, learned Government Advocate (GA) appearing for the respondents and Mr. M. Devananda, learned counsel appearing for the applicants in the connected miscellaneous application.

[2] The present writ petition had been filed with the prayer for quashing and setting aside the impugned notification dated 10.03.2021 issued by the Chairperson, Selection and Appointment Committee of FPS Agents/ Deputy Commissioner (DC), Thoubal inviting applications for appointment of 45 FPS Agents-Cum-S.K Oil Sub-Dealers of Lilong A/C of Thoubal District for a period of 1 (one) year from 01.04.2021 up to 31.03.2022 and for directing the respondents to allow the petitioners to continue as FPS Agents-Cum-SK Oil Sub-Dealers in respect of Lilong A/C.

[3] The facts of the present case in a nutshell is that the present petitioners, 45 in numbers, were initially appointed as Fair Price Shop (FPS) Dealers/ S.K Oil Sub-Dealers in respect of 45 (forty five) FPS locations under Lilong area w.e.f. 18.05.2017 till 31.03.2019 by an order dated 18.05.2017 issued by the D.C., Thoubal, the respondent No. 3 herein.

[4] Afte