(1.) The primary relief sought for in all these writ applications is payment of salary and other emoluments to the Petitioners who are teaching and non-teaching staff of such Sanskrit Schools which were allegedly taken over by the State of Bihar for the period 1st December, 1988 and 31st March, 1989 and also for the subsequent periods as also for payment of dearness allowance etc. since 1983. In some of the writ applications prayer has also been made for issuance of a writ of or in the nature of mandamus directing the State and its Officers as also Bihar Sanskrit Shiksha Board to determine and declare the Service Conditions of the teaching and non-teaching staff of 429 Sanskrit Schools. In C.W.J.C. No. 7844 of 1990, Sub-sections (1), (2) and (3) of Section 4 of Bihar Ordinance No. 21 of 1990 dated 13th August, 1990 is also in-question.
(2.) Before adverting to the questions involved in all these writ applications, it is necessary to consider the history of the legislation in the sphere of Sanskrit education by the State of Bihar.
(3.) In the State of Bihar, and particularly in the districts of Darbhanga and Madhubani, various Sanskrit Schools have been functioning for a long time, the existence of some of the schools goes back to the 20th Century. The imparting of education through the Sanskrit medium was done in to Vidyalayas from the stage of Prathama up to Acharya. Many of Such tols were recognised by the State of Bihar.