JUDGMENT

The petitioners in these writ petitions were appointed as Theatre Helpers, Cleaning Staff, etc., by the Hospital Development Committees. The petitioners have filed these writ petitions seeking a declaration permitting them to continue in service till they attain the age of 65 years.

2. Heard Sri.Brijesh Mohan, the learned counsel for the petitioners in W.P.(C) No. 11276 of 2023 and W.P.(C) No. 12295 of 2023, and Sri.Athul V. Vadakkedam, learned counsel for the petitioner in W.P.(C) No. 16917 of 2023, as well as Smt. Sylaja S.L, the learned Government Pleader for the respondent herein.

3. The case of the petitioners is that though the petitioners were appointed as above on daily wages, they were entitled to continue up to the age of 65 years pursuant to the decision taken by the Government as per the Government Order dated 02.08.2018 produced as Ext.P7 in W.P.(C) No.11276 of 2023. A reading of the Government Order referred to above would show that those persons who were employed on contract basis by the Hospital Development Committees could work till they attained 65 years of age. The order as above has been issued specifically taking note of the fact that the maximum age up