ORDER :

1. Heard learned Government Pleader for Services-I, appearing for petitioners and Sri S. Gopal Rao, learned counsel for the respondents.

2. The respondents were working as Junior Analysts in Medical Colleges and Hospitals attached to the Medical Colleges. The post of Lab Assistant in Medical Colleges was organised as Category-1 of Class-XI of Andhra Pradesh Medical Subordinate Services Branch.III General-Special Rules, notified vide G.O.Ms. No. 565 Medical and Health Department, dated 27.08.1979 (1979 Rules). The post of Junior Analysts was organised as Category-1 of Class-A of Andhra Pradesh Health Laboratories and Food (Health) Administration Subordinate Service Rules, notified vide G.O.Ms. No. 459 Health Medical and Family Welfare (L1) Department, dated 08.09.1994 (1994 Rules). Rule-3 of the 1994 Rules prescribes the method of appointment and appointing authority to various posts. As per the said rules, the posts of Junior Analyst can be filled up by promotion of Laboratory Technician Grade-I. If no qualified candidate is available in the Laboratory Technician Grade-I cadre, it can be filled up by promotion of Senior Technical Assistant. If no qualified candidate is availa