JUDGMENT :

Sandeep Sharma, J.

Since common questions of facts as well as law are involved in both the above-captioned cases, this Court heard them together and the same are now being disposed of vide common judgment.

2. Relevant facts, which are otherwise common in both the cases, are that on 20.08.1987 and 17.08.1988, petitioners were appointed as Lecturer (Botany) and Lecturer (Chemistry), respectively, in respondent No.3/College, which was receiving Grant-in-Aid from the respondent State. In the year 1994, respondent No.3/College came within the purview of Himachal Pradesh Non-Government affiliated Colleges Grant-in-Aid Rules, 1994, as a result thereof, staff of respondent No.3/College started receiving 95% Grant-in-Aid, as a result thereof, their pay scales were brought at par with those of the teaching staff in Government colleges. On 09.09.2010, a notification was issued by respondent No.1, thereby revising the pay scale of teaching staff of the Government aided colleges on the pattern of Government colleges. Besides above, the designation of the Lecturers of different grades was also changed as Assistant Professors/ Associate Professors. Vide office order dated 01.03.2011 issue