(1.) Since the issues raised, in both the captioned writ applications, are more or less the same, those were heard analogously and are being disposed of by this common judgment and order.
(2.) For the sake of convenience, the Special Civil Application No.12021 of 2001 is treated as the lead matter.
(3.) By this writ application under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioners, retired employees of the State Government have prayed for the following reliefs;