(1.) On a reference made by the learned Single judge of this Court, the present writ petitions have been placed before this Special Bench constituted by the Hon'ble Chief Justice.
(2.) We have heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Govt. Advocate.
(3.) The matter relates to appointment to the post of Veterinary Field Assistants, for short 'VFA' in the State of Assam. It has a long and chequered history. In order to fill up 95 existing vacancies and 48 anticipated vacancies to the post of VFA, a notice was issued by the Director, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Assam and, thereafter, vide order dated 5.7.96 a Selection Committee was constituted by the Director and the said Selection Committee selected 125 candidates on the basis of their merit position in the School Merit List. It may be mentioned here: that at the relevant point of time there was no service rule governing the appointment of VFA.