JUDGMENT

The petitioners are stated to be the lecturers in R. Sankar Memorial S.N.D.P Yogam Arts and Science College, Koyilandy who have been appointed pursuant to a selection process carried out by the Statutory Selection Committee in 2004. They also stated that their appointment has been approved by the 2^nd respondent University. However, the petitioners further contend that they were not being extended the UGC scale of pay etc. since, according to the respondents the petitioners did not have the NET qualification, as required under Ext.P1. Ext.P1 to that extent is being challenged in this writ petition.

2. Heard Sri. C.V. Alexander, the learned Counsel for the petitioners, Sri. A.N. Rajan Babu, the learned counsel for the 1^st respondent and Sri. P.C. Sasidharan, the learned Standing Counsel for the 2^nd respondent University.

3. Admittedly, the petitioners were not having the NET qualification. However, there was an exemption from the requirement of having a NET qualification till 2018, as evidenced by Ext.P8 and P8(a), at least till 2010. When that be so, when the petitioners have been appointed in the year 2004 and their appointments were also approved by the University, there w