JUDGEMENT
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(1.)This order will dispose of 21 Letters Patent Appeals being LPA Nos. 7 to 27 of 2007, arising out of common judgment of learned Single Judge. LPA Nos. 11 to 14 have been filed by the State of Punjab, as order of the learned Single Judge covered four writ petitions and the remaining 17 appeals have been filed by the affected candidates. 16 appeals are at the instance of four candidates, who have filed four appeals each, while one appeal is by three candidates.
(2.)Grievance of the writ petitioners was against appointment of appellants Rajiv Prashar, Amar Pal Singh, Viney Bublani, Mohinder Pal, Ms. Babita, Gurpreet Singh and Puneet Goyal (who are all wards of terrorists' victims) as also against non-appointment of the writ petitioners to the posts of Punjab Civil Service (Executive Branch) [PCS(EB)].
(3.)The writ petitioners applied for the posts of PCS(EB) in response to advertisement dated 19.6.1993. In the said advertisement, the vacancies notified in general category, were 7, 18 and 6 for PCS(EB), Excise and Taxation Officers and Assistant Employment Officers respectively. Names of the writ petitioners were beyond Sr.No. 7 and, therefore, they did not figure in the list of first seven general candidates against vacancies in the PCS(EB). They were, however, given appointments as Excise and Taxation Officers. It was, inter-alia, submitted that if wards of victims of terrorists had not been appointed, the said vacancies would have been available in the general category to which the writ petitioners could make a claim. Case of the petitioners further was that their names should have been placed in Register 'B' and they should have been appointed against the available posts of PCS(EB). There was also challenge to the extent of reservation but the said issue does not arise in these appeals.