JUDGMENT

The writ petition is preferred by persons claiming to be arrack shop workers who were displaced pursuant to the abolition of arrack shop with effect from 01.04.1996. After the abolition of the said arrack shops, the displaced persons sought re-employment under the State Government. As a result of the agitation, the Government introduced a rehabilitation package, as evidenced by Ext.P18, namely G.O.(Rt) No.01/2002/TD dated 20.02.2002, wherein the Government ordered that 25% of all future daily wage employment vacancies arising in the Kerala State Beverages Corporation shall stand reserved to be filled by Abkari workers registered with the Abkari Workers Welfare Fund Board, who were terminated from service due to the arrack ban with effect from

01.04.1996.

2. Subsequently, a batch of writ petitions was filed before this Court by claimants seeking the benefit of the said Government Order, and the same was disposed of in their favour. The State challenged the said decision before the Division Bench, however, the Division Bench also upheld the claims of the petitioners. Thereafter, the Government issued G.O.(Rt) No.567/2004/TD dated 07.08.2004, whereby the earlier conditions wer