JUDGMENT

Anu Sivaraman, J.

These appeals arise from a common judgment in two writ petitions filed by the applicants to the post of Lower Division Clerk in the Kerala Water Authority. The notification inviting applications was issued on 16.7.2012 and was produced as Ext.P1 in both the writ petitions. The qualifications prescribed were, (i) degree in any discipline and (ii) certificate in Data Entry and Office Automation of minimum 3 months (120 hrs) duration awarded by Lal Bahadur Shasthri Centre for Science and Technology (LBS), Institute of Human Resource Development (IHRD) or from similar/equivalent institution approved by the Government. The writ petitioners, who had prescribed qualification had applied.

2. While so, a person, who had the qualification of Diploma in Computer Application (DCA) filed W.P.(C) No.24279/2012 contending that he possesses a higher qualification which pre-supposes the acquisition of the lower qualification and that his application should also be considered. It was contended that the applications of several persons who had DCA qualification were being considered and that the petitioner therein could not submit his application only because the notification w