1. In all the above Writ Appeals as well as in Writ Petition No. 209 of 1997, the challenge of the petitioners / appellants is against the attempt of the respondents to allot certain liquor shops governed by the Tamil Nadu Liquor (Retail vending) R.1989, (hereinafter called as 'the rules') to Co - operative Societies or to the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation or to the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, by nomination, in preference to the petitioners / appellants. All the matters were dealt with by a learned single Judge of this Court, except Writ Petition No. 209 of 1977 and a common order was passed by the learned Single judge, rejecting the contention raised by the petitioners / appellants. Though the prayers in all the writ petitions are slightly different from each other, in substance all of them are directed against the attempt of the respondents to grant the privilege of vending liquor to such