(1.) THESE two writ petitions assailing the list of the candidates recommended by the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (for short 'MPSC') for appointment to the post of Grade -III Meghalaya Agricultural Service (MAS) under the Agriculture Department, Meghalaya i.e. private respondents No. 6 -54 vide Notification being No. MPSC/D -5/3/2011 -12/89 dated Shillong, the 28th February, 2014 on the similar question of fact and law were jointly heard for disposal by a common judgment and order.
(2.) HEARD Mr. N Syngkon, learned counsel for the petitioners in WP(C) No. 118/2014 and Mr. S Dey, learned counsel for the petitioner in WP(C) No. 244/2014. Also heard Mr. K Khan, Addl. Sr.GA appearing for the respondents No. 1 & 2, Mr. ND Chullai, learned Sr. GA assisted by Mr. B Khyriem, learned counsel for the respondents No. 3 -5, Mr. K Paul, learned counsel for the respondents No. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 21, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 48, 50, 51 and 53 and Dr. ODV Ladia, learned senior counsel assisted by Mr. P Yobin, learned counsel appearing for the respondents 23 & 27.
(3.) THE writ petitioners 36 in numbers in WP(C) No. 118/2014 and one writ petitioner in WP(C) No. 244/2014 are the Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) and they are eligible for appointments to the post of Grade -III Meghalaya Agricultural Service (MAS) (Agriculture Development Officer/Horticulture Development Officer/Scientific Officer (Research) Seed Technology/Soil Testing/Seed Testing etc.).